WA Government

OLYMPIA – While taxes on some of Washington’s largest businesses and wealthiest residents have grabbed the most attention in recent days, Republican lawmakers said Tuesday that the revenue plan released by Democrats would impact the everyday lives – and overall happiness levels – of citizens throughout the state.

OLYMPIA – Democratic lawmakers unveiled their budget plans Monday morning, as the legislature looks to balance preserving key public services while addressing Washington’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

A King County Superior Court judge on Friday invalidated the ballot measure approved by voters in November that seeks to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps.

OLYMPIA – State lawmakers are considering throwing the news industry a lifesaver by taxing some of the world’s biggest tech platforms.

Ralph Munro, who was elected as Washington secretary of state in 1980 and served until 2001, has died, according to the current Office of the Secretary of State.

OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats have unveiled a plan to raise billions of dollars amid a deep budget shortfall by taxing Washington’s wealthiest residents through what is called a “financial intangibles tax,” allowing property tax increases to be set by inflation and population growth, and removing the cap on employer payroll taxes.

OLYMPIA – A bill to divvy up tax revenue as the Spokane Fire Department prepares to leave the regional 911 center continues to move forward in the Washington Legislature.

OLYMPIA – Jimi Hendrix, the Seattle-born guitarist, singer and songwriter widely celebrated as one of the most talented musicians of his generation, was recognized posthumously Tuesday for his contributions to the state.

OLYMPIA – Strapped for cash and searching for ways to cut spending, the job for budget writers in Washington became that much more challenging Tuesday after an updated economic forecast shows the state will bring in $845 million less over the next four years than it previously projected.

U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner was confronted by a disruptive, angry crowd that demanded answers for the freshman Republican congressman’s voting record and recent actions in President Donald Trump’s White House – and regularly interrupted each answer during a town hall Monday evening at Whitworth University.

OLYMPIA – Billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid would have a devastating impact on the more than 1.8 million Washingtonians who rely on the program, particularly in rural and Eastern Washington, Sen. Patty Murray said during a news conference at the state Capitol Monday.

U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner faced a mix of about 100 displeased constituents and supporters during the first of his town-hall doubleheader Monday morning about an hour's drive southwest of Spokane, where he will face a much larger crowd Monday night at Whitworth University. 

OLYMPIA – Washington lawmakers continue to consider adopting a permit-to-purchase system for firearms in the state and prohibiting firearms in public areas where children are known to gather, though several proposals – including a new tax on firearms and ammunition – have failed, at least for this session.

OLYMPIA – With the session more than halfway over, Wednesday marked the day most bills needed to pass out of their chamber of origin in the Washington legislature to remain alive.