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News > WA Government

Raquel Montoya-Lewis named as first Native American to Washington Supreme Court

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 4, 2019

A Whatcom County Superior Court judge with extensive experience as a tribal judge to become first Native American on the Washington Supreme Court.

News > WA Government

Fortunato bill would end sanctuary cities

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 3, 2019

Washington shouldn’t be a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants, and its cities shouldn’t be allowed to declare themselves sanctuary cities, a Republican state senator running for governor said Monday.

News > WA Government

Ecology director resigning

Mon., Dec. 2, 2019

Washington Ecology Director Maia Bellon will resign at the end of the year, she announced Monday.

News > WA Government

Six feet above ground: Washington begins rulemaking for human compost law

Fri., Nov. 29, 2019

“I want to keep the body for as long as I can, but when I’m done, it would just be really nice if it went on to help something else,” said Sarah Griffith, a longtime nurse interested in human composting.

News > WA Government

No sign of recession for Washington, economists say

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 20, 2019

Washington may see a slowing economy in the next few years, but a recession does not appear to be on the horizon, the state’s economist told legislative leaders Wednesday.

News > WA Government

Agencies, lawmakers scramble to fill $4 billion pothole from I-976

Sun., Nov. 10, 2019

State agencies and lawmakers are looking for solutions to the loss of billions of dollars that would have come from Initiative 976.

News > WA Government

Spokane judge becomes second to block Trump administration’s ‘conscience rule’

UPDATED: Thu., Nov. 7, 2019

A federal judge in Spokane became the second in two days to block the Trump administration’s new expanded “conscience rule” that would allow health care workers to refuse care for religious or moral reasons.

News > WA Government

Voters narrowly rejecting affirmative action change

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 5, 2019

Voters narrowly rejecting affirmative action programs but final decision up to later ballot counts.

News > WA Government

Pullman hospital bond in jeopardy due to low turnout

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 5, 2019

Low voter turnout in Pullman may put the $29 million bond for Pullman Regional Hospital to expand its facilities and services on hold.

News > WA Government

Amendment giving special powers to Legislature in case of catastrophe approved

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 5, 2019

If “The Big One” hits, the Legislature likely will have special emergency powers to respond.

News > WA Government

Initiative limiting vehicle registration fees jumps out to solid lead in early count

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 5, 2019

Spokane voters gave a big win to Tim Eyman’s latest anti-tax initiative strictly limiting vehicle registration fees to $30 a year, according to election results Tuesday.

News > WA Government

Both sides assert affirmative action referendum will help veterans

UPDATED: Sun., Nov. 3, 2019

Lawyers disagree on whether new affirmative action programs under Referendum 88 will help or hurt veterans.

News > WA Government

McMorris Rodgers blasts Inslee, dam study

Sat., Oct. 26, 2019

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers takes another jab at a study of the Snake River dams supported by Gov. Jay Inslee.

News > WA Government

Washington Supreme Court strikes down mandatory car impounds on DUI arrests

UPDATED: Thu., Oct. 17, 2019

Mandatory impound law for DUI arrests is unconstitutional, state Supreme Court says.

News > WA Government

Spokane judge blocks Trump rule restricting immigration for people who need government help

UPDATED: Fri., Oct. 11, 2019

The Trump administration proposed a tightening of the definition of a public charge that would allow denying the application for permanent residence to anyone who receives public benefits for more than 12 months in a three-year period. U.S. District Court Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against those changes Friday.

News > WA Government

Washington falls slightly in State Energy Efficiency Scorecard rankings

Mon., Oct. 7, 2019

While Gov. Jay Inslee’s emphasis on combating climate change has helped the state land at the No. 10 spot on the list last year, the ranking represented a slight fall in the standings.

News > WA Government

Tim Eyman-backed initiative would upend state transportation funding

UPDATED: Mon., Oct. 7, 2019

Tim Eyman’s latest anti-tax ballot measure is either a Robin Hood-like gesture for the people of Washington or a disastrous gambit that will kill the state’s necessary transportation projects. It just depends who you ask.

News > WA Government

‘It’s about The Big One’: Amendment would give state Legislature broad powers in case of catastrophe

UPDATED: Fri., Oct. 4, 2019

Constitutional amendment would expand legislative powers in catastrophic incidents.

News > WA Government

Washington voters can ‘advise’ on a dozen tax changes, but lawmakers can ignore them

UPDATED: Fri., Oct. 4, 2019

A dozen advisory votes are on the November ballot.

News > Local Government

Political newcomers seek Liberty Lake City Council position 1 seat

UPDATED: Sun., Oct. 13, 2019

The race for Liberty Lake City Council position 1 doesn’t have an incumbent after Councilman Bob Moore abandoned the seat in favor of running for the seat vacated by Shane Brickner, who is running for mayor against incumbent Steve Peterson. The race has attracted two political newcomers, retired state of California employee Dg Garcia and homebuilder Phil Folyer.

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