WA Government

News > ID Government

Glaring uptick in anti-trans laws nationwide felt by Washington’s trans community

UPDATED: Fri., April 28, 2023

From books, medical procedures, bathrooms and classroom curricula, 2023 has seen a deluge of state-level legislation targeting LGBTQ+ and, more specifically, transgender people.

News > Washington

Gov. Jay Inslee visits Crosswalk shelter in Spokane on Friday to acknowledge successes, needs to address youth homelessness

UPDATED: Fri., April 28, 2023

"It looks to me like you've really got an alliance of multiple organizations," Inslee said, speaking to young people staying at the shelter as well as representatives from Volunteers for America, the nonprofit that runs Crosswalk, the Spokane Youth Advisory Committee, A Way Home Washington, Better Health Together and other groups working to eliminate youth homelessness. "I'm glad we were successful in the Legislature to promote the growth of them."

News > Pacific NW

Early WA governor’s race skirmish? Campaign finance loophole scrutinized

UPDATED: Fri., April 28, 2023

Apr. 28—Washington's campaign-finance watchdog is eyeing whether to close a loophole that could give Attorney General Bob Ferguson a big campaign cash advantage if he runs for governor next year. In what amounts to an early 2024 gubernatorial race skirmish, Ferguson's potential rival, state lands commissioner Hilary Franz, is backing the loophole's closure as a great idea. The debate revolves ...

News > Pacific NW

Washington bills on breaching studies, wildfire policy on Inslee’s desk, waiting for decision

UPDATED: Fri., April 28, 2023

Apr. 27—A pair of bills to fund studies that could help advance efforts to breach four dams on the lower Snake River await Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's signature. Inslee requested money to study how to replace the irrigation, freight transportation and electric power generation made possible by the dams. The ask is connected to the report released by Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray last year in ...

News > Washington

Inslee signs into law bills to boost abortion access while protecting providers and patients

UPDATED: Thu., April 27, 2023

Abortion patients and providers in Washington are protected from out-of-state prosecution by a collection of bills signed into law Thursday that also expands abortion access.

News > Military

Vital computer system goes down at Spokane VA and military hospitals nationwide

UPDATED: Wed., April 26, 2023

WASHINGTON – A vital computer system used at Spokane’s VA medical center, Fairchild Air Force Base and military hospitals across the country went down for several hours on Tuesday, just as the troubled system faces greater scrutiny from Congress.

News > Washington

Washington’s 68th Legislative Session is officially over. Here’s a recap of what ended up passing – or not

UPDATED: Tue., April 25, 2023

A lightsaber, beads, a gong, at least two wigs, custom T-shirts and a cowbell were among the unusual objects Washington Legislators brought to the floor to ring in the last day of the session on Sunday.

News > Pacific NW

Transparency advocates sue WA over ‘legislative privilege’ exemption

UPDATED: Tue., April 25, 2023

Advocates for open government sued the state of Washington on Monday over state legislators' attempts to shield records from public view using a justification advocates claim is not in state law.

News > Washington

Inslee signs Washington’s ban on new assault weapons

UPDATED: Tue., April 25, 2023

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a trio of gun control bills Tuesday, including one that bans the sale, manufacture, import and distribution of assault weapons.

News > Military

McMorris Rodgers calls for VA to scrap troubled computer system tied to harming Inland Northwest veterans

UPDATED: Tue., April 25, 2023

WASHINGTON – In a move that could impact veterans across the Northwest, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers on Tuesday called for the Department of Veterans Affairs to scrap a troubled computer system that has been linked to delayed care and patient harm since the VA started testing it in Spokane in 2020.

News > Crime/Public Safety

With no solution to Washington’s drug possession law reached, local governments look to ward off ‘chaos’ with their own rules

UPDATED: Tue., April 25, 2023

Democrats in the state House of Representatives were stunned Sunday when, at the eleventh hour, the chamber failed to pass a controversial drug possession bill before the conclusion of the session.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Washington legislators didn’t pass new drug possession laws in time. What happens now?

UPDATED: Mon., April 24, 2023

Here are answers to some of the common questions that arise because the Legislature failed to pass a law clarifying certain drug possession laws.

News > Washington

Wilcox leaves post of top House Republican in Washington

UPDATED: Mon., April 24, 2023

The top Republican in the House of Representatives is stepping down from that post.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Insee says he’ll call back legislators to pass drug possession law

UPDATED: Mon., April 24, 2023

The bill that tried to mix stricter law enforcement with greater opportunities for treatment failed in the House of Representatives, with 45 "yes" votes and 52 "no" votes.

News > Pacific NW

Washington Legislature passes $70 billion operations budget before adjourning Sunday

UPDATED: Sun., April 23, 2023

Lawmakers also restored funding to ensure timely completion of the North Spokane Corridor and passed legislation on abortion, guns and more during the session that was scheduled to end Sunday evening.

News > Washington

Washington Senate confirms all Fish and Wildlife commissioners

Sun., April 23, 2023

All nine members of the state Fish and Wildlife Commission were confirmed by the Senate Friday over the objections of Republicans that some weren’t sensitive enough to the concerns of hunters, fishermen and rural residents in Eastern Washington.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: Inslee takes dig at Eyman while signing bill to end advisory votes

Sat., April 22, 2023

Washington did away with the tax advisory votes last week when Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation that ended the legal requirement started by a 2008 initiative.

News > Pacific NW

Washington Legislature poised to pass record $70 billion spending plan

UPDATED: Sat., April 22, 2023

A two-year state spending plan with major increases for public schools, housing, environmental and mental health programs is likely to be approved Sunday on the final day of the legislative session.

News > Washington

In honor of Earth Day, here’s a look at five environmental bills in Washington that could literally change the world

Sat., April 22, 2023

Groups in more than 190 countries participate in environmentalist efforts in observance of the holiday. In honor of Earth Day, here's a look at how the Legislature is looking to protect marine wildlife, evaluate composting and enhance the wellbeing of the blue-and-green orb we call home.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Lawmakers still searching for compromise on Washington’s drug possession law as session nears end

Sat., April 22, 2023

OLYMPIA – With only two days left in the legislative session, lawmakers continued to struggle with striking a balance between treatment and punishment in a new law that would cover people arrested for some drug possession offenses.

Latest Stories

Glaring uptick in anti-trans laws nationwide felt by Washington’s trans community

Gov. Jay Inslee visits Crosswalk shelter in Spokane on Friday to acknowledge successes, needs to address youth homelessness

Early WA governor’s race skirmish? Campaign finance loophole scrutinized

Washington bills on breaching studies, wildfire policy on Inslee’s desk, waiting for decision

Inslee signs into law bills to boost abortion access while protecting providers and patients

Vital computer system goes down at Spokane VA and military hospitals nationwide

Washington’s 68th Legislative Session is officially over. Here’s a recap of what ended up passing – or not

Transparency advocates sue WA over ‘legislative privilege’ exemption

Inslee signs Washington’s ban on new assault weapons

McMorris Rodgers calls for VA to scrap troubled computer system tied to harming Inland Northwest veterans

With no solution to Washington’s drug possession law reached, local governments look to ward off ‘chaos’ with their own rules

Washington legislators didn’t pass new drug possession laws in time. What happens now?

Wilcox leaves post of top House Republican in Washington

Insee says he’ll call back legislators to pass drug possession law

Washington Legislature passes $70 billion operations budget before adjourning Sunday

Washington Senate confirms all Fish and Wildlife commissioners

Spin Control: Inslee takes dig at Eyman while signing bill to end advisory votes

Washington Legislature poised to pass record $70 billion spending plan

In honor of Earth Day, here’s a look at five environmental bills in Washington that could literally change the world

Lawmakers still searching for compromise on Washington’s drug possession law as session nears end

Latest headlines

A Grip on Sports: High school sports may end for everyone but the memories never graduate

Ask the doctors: Bowel issues evaluated through anorectal manometry testing

Ask the Builder: The harsh truth about concrete pavers

100 years ago in Eastern Washington: State and local officials warned against the ills of 'driving while spooning'

Camp Hope, the story in 18 months

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100 years ago in Eastern Washington: State and local officials warned against the ills of 'driving while spooning'

Doctor based in Coeur d'Alene and Washington indicted for allegedly billing Medicare for bogus tests and equipment

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