Laurel Demkovich

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News >  WA Government

Inslee’s capital gains tax gets mixed reaction in first public hearing

Fri., Jan. 15, 2021

The proposed capital gains tax was part of Inslee's budget proposals released in December. It would create a 9% tax on annual investment earnings of more than $25,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a married couple.

News >  WA Government

Washington will send close to 400 National Guard troops to D.C. for Biden inauguration

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 14, 2021

The Washington National Guard will send nearly 400 troops to Washington, D.C., this weekend to assist with security for President-Elect Joe Biden's inauguration

News >  WA Government

State Senate passes resolution extending COVID-19 emergency orders in first debate of many on virus restrictions

Thu., Jan. 14, 2021

The Washington State Senate voted Wednesday to extend Gov. Jay Inslee's emergency orders until the COVID-19 state of emergency is over, despite stiff Republican opposition.

News >  WA Government

Washington is moving toward ‘new normal’ post-COVID, Inslee says in third inaugural address

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 13, 2021

In a pre-recorded video shown to a virtual joint session of the Legislature, Inslee delivered his third inaugural address, touting big ideas, but little specifics, for moving the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Franz announces proposed legislation for wildfire fighting, prevention

Wed., Jan. 13, 2021

The legislation would create a funding source of $125 million each biennium dedicated to wildfire response, forest restoration and community resilience. It's similar to legislation Franz has pushed in the past, but after a fire season as devastating as this last one, Franz has hope that this is the year for it to pass. 

News >  WA Government

Washington Legislature opened Monday with new COVID-19 protocols, heavy security around Capitol

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 11, 2021

The 2021 Legislature meets for the first time Monday, despite safety concerns and strict pandemic protocols.

News >  WA Government

Five issues to watch in the Washington Legislature in 2021

UPDATED: Sun., Jan. 10, 2021

The only thing lawmakers must do this session is pass a budget for the next biennium, but that won't be the only thing they discuss. Here's what to look out for this legislative session.

News >  Nation

Lawmakers are calling for a second impeachment trial for Trump. Here’s what that might look like

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 8, 2021

Two days after a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers continue to call for the removal of the president, whether through invoking the 25th Amendment, resignation or impeachment.

News >  WA Government

Inslee activates National Guard for beginning of legislative session next week

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 8, 2021

Gov. Jay Inslee has activated 750 members of the Washington National Guard to be in Olympia for next week's start of the legislative session in preparation for large protests.

News >  WA Government

Start of Washington’s legislative session will be secure, but safety protocols still under review

Fri., Jan. 8, 2021

OLYMPIA – The day after pro-Trump protesters forced their way onto the governor’s mansion property here, lawmakers said they were confident the Capitol campus would be safe to conduct Monday’s opening day ceremonies.

News >  WA Government

After day of resignations and calls for his ouster, Trump changes tune, promises transfer of power

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 7, 2021

Sen. Patty Murray and all seven Democratic members of of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington are among those calling on Trump's cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment.

News >  Nation/World

Washington state lawmakers on both sides condemn violence at U.S. Capitol

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 6, 2021

The events that unfolded Wednesday shocked the country, leading many Washington lawmakers on both sides to quickly condemn the violence that led to a pause in the 2020 presidential election certification, an overtaken Capitol and one woman dead.

News >  Nation/World

Washington, Idaho delegation respond on Twitter to Capitol assault

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 6, 2021

As protesters stormed the Capitol during a joint session of Congress to certify November's elections results, the Washington and Idaho delegation took to Twitter. 

News

Inslee announces new reopening plan, but the state won’t be moving forward just yet

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 5, 2021

Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new region-by-region reopening plan Tuesday that includes new metrics for when certain activities can resume, although much of the state will not be moving forward yet. 

News >  Spokane

Washington AG Bob Ferguson sues to stop federal sale of Seattle National Archives

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 4, 2021

Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a lawsuit against the federal government in an attempt to stop the sale of the National Archives and Records Administration's building in Seattle.

News

Difference Makers: As COVID persists, so do the Inland Northwest’s health care workers

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 30, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has forced most people into their homes, but health workers continue to report to work.

News >  Spokane

COVID-19 numbers trending downward, but Washington remains in ‘precarious situation’ as holidays approach

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 24, 2020

The spread of COVID-19 in Washington seems to be plateauing, and potentially trending downward, but health officials are still cautious, especially as the holidays near. 

Inslee announces travel restrictions to South Africa, U.K. as new COVID-19 strain spreads quickly

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 22, 2020

Travelers from the United Kingdom and South Africa are now required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Washington, as new COVID-19 strain spreads quickly.

News >  WA Government

Riccelli joins Inslee to support funding and restructuring public health systems

Sat., Dec. 19, 2020

The proposals include creating a new fund to help pay for improvements in public health programs long-term as well restructuring local public health jurisdictions statewide. 

News >  WA Government

Inslee proposes $57.6 billion budget that fights COVID-19, raises taxes, taps reserves

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 17, 2020

OLYMPIA – Washington’s government would spend $57.6 billion over the next two years in its efforts to fight COVID-19, shore up the economy and clean up the environment, under plans released Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee.

News >  WA Government

Inslee puts pause on termination of health departments, calling politics in public health ‘reckless and dangerous’

Wed., Dec. 16, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation Monday halting the termination of a city-county health department or the withdrawal from a health district until the COVID-19 state of emergency is over, as local public health districts face continued politicization. 

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Gov. Inslee announces budget proposals to tackle inequities statewide

Tue., Dec. 15, 2020

Inslee announced a broad set of budget proposals Monday to tackle inequities and address systemic racism across the state. The proposals are just a first look at his 2021-2023 budget, which is scheduled to be released on Thursday.

News >  ID Government

‘Still a lot of unknowns’: Idaho prepares for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Sat., Dec. 12, 2020

The state is prepared to receive 13,650 doses initially. Of those, 1,950 — or about 14.7% — are expected to go toward the Panhandle Health District. The state will receive the same amount of doses 21 days later to serve as the second dose for those who received the first vaccinations. 

News >  ID Government

With COVID-19 rampant in Idaho, Gov. Little asks for compliance, still refuses to issue mask mandate

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 10, 2020

In his first news conference in a month, Little pointed to the state's increasing case counts and limited hospital capacity, again urging residents to wear a mask and social distance.

News

Inchelium under nightly curfew as COVID outbreak surges

Wed., Dec. 9, 2020

The curfew is active each day between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., effective immediately. Residents and visitors to the reservation must remain indoors during the curfew, except for essential travel to a verifiable place of employment or to seek urgent medical attention.