WA Government

"Controversy" settled. Riverfront Park scene chosen to replace picture of Spokane's 3rd Legislative District.

Legislators have pivoted from a Democrat-backed plan to use hundreds of millions in revenue from the state’s climate commitment act to plug a billion-dollar shortfall.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s 2026 legislative session had an alarming finish on Thursday as an earsplitting fire alarm rang through the Capitol dome – forcing all but the House of Representatives to evacuate the building.

OLYMPIA – A new tax on personal income above $1 million a year has officially cleared all legislative hurdles in the state Capitol, marking the most significant shift in state tax policy in nearly 100 years.

OLYMPIA – From preschool to K-12, education took the biggest hit after Washington lawmakers unveiled a budget agreement on Wednesday with the largest cuts concentrated in early learning and public schools.

When a 190-pound high school wrestler head -butted Spokane Valley’s Bob West while he was officiating a Colville wrestling match in 1996, he knew it was the end of his 35-year referee career.

OLYMPIA – The only thing stopping local bettors from wagering on the Gonzaga Bulldogs next year is a stroke of Gov. Bob Ferguson’s pen.

A trio of conservative media figures will continue to be barred from access to press areas on the state House of Representatives floor, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

A perfect resolution to cap off a perfect season.

OLYMPIA – The faces of lawmakers were almost evenly split between excitement and despair Tuesday evening.

OLYMPIA – Gov. Bob Ferguson has again appointed a familiar and experienced litigator with no previous judicial experience to the state Supreme Court.

OLYMPIA – Less than two years after both chambers of the Washington Legislature overwhelmingly passed an initiative to bar state and local jurisdictions from adopting an income tax, lawmakers are on the verge of doing just that.

OLYMPIA – Responding to a controversy this week, Sen. Leonard Christian said in a statement Friday he now understands “that my remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday have given offense to some members of the developmentally disabled community.”

OLYMPIA – The latest state income tax proposal on people earning more than $1 million a year has the backing of Gov. Bob Ferguson.

State Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, drew rebuke from fellow lawmakers Wednesday afternoon for using a slur for disabled people while debating the merits of a state program that imposes restrictions on those with developmental disabilities who have been charged or convicted of a sexual offense or suspected of being a risk to others.

OLYMPIA – Washington lawmakers are on the verge of an agreement that will give Spokane’s Waste-to-Energy facility a longer timeline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with state standards.

OLYMPIA – Washington lawmakers passed a pair of bills Tuesday afternoon that supporters say will rein in immigration enforcement in the state.

The state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission could remove Washington sheriffs not fit to hold office under a bill heard in the House Community Safety Committee on Monday.

What's the most iconic view of Spokane's 3rd Legislative District?