WA Government

Last year, more than 400,000 Washingtonians signed a ballot measure that would overturn the state law preventing an officer from embarking on a car chase unless they have “reasonable suspicion” a person has committed certain crimes, such as a violent offense or driving while drunk or high on drugs. Supporters of Initiative 2113 argue the current law on the books prevents police from doing their jobs to catch suspected criminals and keep communities safe. Those opposed to the initiative argue police chases are dangerous for everyone involved and that criminals aren’t deterred by them.

While many of the parental rights outlined in this year's initiative are already established under state law, legislators held public hearing to understand more about the measure and hear from both supporters and opponents. If lawmakers don't act on the measure, it heads for the November ballot. 

Legislation working to impose criminal charges against doctors who implant their own sperm into patients seeking reproductive assistance unanimously passed the House and Senate and could soon become law.

If passed, Initiative 2111 would prohibit income tax by putting a new law on the books that would ban cities, counties and other local jurisdictions from taxing any form of a resident’s personal income.

An Ione, Washington, town councilman who brought failed recall petitions against fellow council members and lost his voter registration has resigned.

House Bill 2114 has been one of the most controversial proposals discussed in this year’s legislative session. The proposed law would limit annual increases that tenants in the state pay to 7%. It would also ban landlords from charging late fees if a tenant pays rent within five days following the rent due date.

Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner has formally joined the race for Washington’s 5th congressional district, announcing his candidacy at a campaign launch event at the University District Gateway Bridge overlooking the Washington State University Spokane Medical School.

WASHINGTON – Saturday marked a grim anniversary for the people of Ukraine, two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of their country and a decade after the Kremlin invaded and eventually annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea, kicking off a bloody imperial project founded on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s belief that Ukraine never should have become its own country.

New legislation is working toward creating a preservation plan so Lakeland's more than 20,000 boxes of patient files and artifacts across Washington don't go unnoticed or get destroyed. 

The state has mailed combined Republican and Democratic primary ballots to 4.8 million registered voters in all of Washington’s 39 counties. Voters have until March 12 to cast their ballots and weigh in on their chosen party’s nominee for president. Voters must declare a party and select only one candidate, or else their votes won’t be counted.

Feb. 23—With around 200 square feet of their own private space, tenants at The Kärsti apartments in Ballard make a trade-off from the typical studio apartment, swapping larger sleeping areas and private kitchens for communal living and cheaper rent. As Washington residents face sky-high housing costs and a shortage of places to live, state lawmakers hope to encourage more small apartments like ...

Drivers who speed through highway work zones while workers are present are first issued a warning. However, the second time they're caught speeding, drivers face nearly $250 in fines with a bill potentially heading to the Govenor's desk.  

House Bill 1958 would make the act of removing or tampering with a sexually protective device during intercourse punishable with a $5,000 fine.

An Ione councilman who no longer lives in the town is refusing to resign, even after the Pend Oreille County auditor revoked his voter registration and a judge Wednesday threw out recall charges he made against the mayor and another councilman.

If passed, House Bill 1915 would add financial education to the current list of state-mandated high school graduation requirements. It would not change the total number of credits students need to get their diplomas – 24 – but rather embed a half-credit’s worth of instruction into that existing credit total.in or before the 2027-28 school year.

Tenth graders could have the opportunity to begin Running Start courses the summer before junior year with to a bill proposed during the 2024 legislative session.