WA Government

Mar. 5—OLYMPIA — Democratic state lawmakers, worried about federal efforts to limit transgender and abortion rights, want to amend the state constitution to include protections for gender-affirming and reproductive health care, and hope to put it before voters. Senate Joint Resolution 8204, introduced this week by prime sponsor Sen. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue, is backed by 25 of the 30 Senate ...

WASHINGTON – In an address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, President Donald Trump touted his administration’s swift actions to remake the federal government in his image, provoking cheers from his fellow Republicans and loud protests from Democrats.

OLYMPIA – Washington would require clergy members to report incidents of child abuse or neglect under legislation to designate them as mandatory reporters cleared the state Senate Friday.

WASHINGTON – While President Donald Trump will surely use his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday to tout his administration’s actions and plans for the future, two Washington lawmakers are making their own statements by inviting special guests to attend the customary speech.

Leaders from Western Washington tribes and state officials have agreed to enter mediation about removing salmon migration barriers, reviving a decadeslong court case over tribal treaty fishing rights and habitat damage from generations of building state highways.

SEATTLE – A federal judge in Seattle seemed to strongly doubt the answers of lawyers representing the Department of Justice during a preliminary hearing Friday afternoon, as the State of Washington sought to block a federal ban on gender-affirming care for those under 19 from going into effect.

OLYMPIA – Gov. Bob Ferguson unveiled a plan Thursday to save Washington $4 billion over the next four years to address a budget deficit the governor projects to be $15 billion over that span.

WASHINGTON – Spokane’s top cop told senators on Wednesday that law enforcement agencies need more tools and resources to stanch the flow of fentanyl and other opioid drugs to communities across the United States.

The way Washington residents recycle is up for debate in the state Legislature as lawmakers look for ways to keep more waste out of landfills.

WASHINGTON – At the end of a dramatic night on the House floor, Republicans on Tuesday narrowly passed a framework for massive cuts to taxes and spending that would likely reduce funding to Medicaid, raising loud objections from Democrats who universally opposed the measure.

Democratic lawmakers are highlighting a plan to balance Washington’s budget with no tax increases, arguing that deep cuts will harm Washingtonians served by state programs, including in health care and higher education.

WASHINGTON – An email arrived in the inboxes of workers at Spokane’s Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and employees across the federal government on Saturday afternoon with a seemingly simple request from the Office of Personnel Management.

The Washington Legislature is again considering a proposal that would allow jurisdictions to shift local elections to even years, an idea that proponents say will boost low voter turnout.

COULEE DAM – Rumors are swirling in the towns around the country’s largest hydroelectric dam that employees are being quietly laid off amid the recent slashing of the federal workforce.