Inslee announces special legislative session to pass new drug possession law
The Washington Legislature will attempt to wrap up its unfinished business on drug possession this month. Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday he’s calling for a special legislative session to begin on May 16, so lawmakers can finalize new drug possession penalties and addiction treatment options. The announcement comes after Republicans and progressive Democrats rejected changes to the state’s drug possession law on the final day of the regular session, after months of back-and-forth negotiations between lawmakers in the House and Senate. Inslee and other leaders say the special session is vital. Washington’s current drug possession statute was initially passed as a temporary solution in response to a state Supreme Court decision in 2021 – commonly referred to as “The Blake Decision” – that struck down the state’s felony drug possession penalties. That temporary law expires July 1. Continue reading at KUOW. (NW News Network)
A pioneering effort seeks new voters anywhere they may be, including prison
Washington appears to be the only state where the person who oversees elections also runs prison libraries. So perhaps it’s not surprising that Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is planning to start civics education for people in prison. However, it is unusual. Hobbs’ civics-in-prison course will be part of his broad effort to engage populations often overlooked in voter outreach, particularly low-income and Native communities. “We can’t just urge voting,” he told The Seattle Times editorial board last week. “We have to explain how your ballot is processed.” The Legislature passed a law in 2021 allowing the reinstatement of voting rights immediately upon release from prison; 24,650 Washingtonians become newly eligible. But, only 7% had registered to vote by the November 2022 midterms, according to data from Hobbs’ office. Of those, just 414 actually cast ballots. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Colin Mulvany)
Opinion: Capital budget invests in state’s economy
Because it represents the largest chunk of state spending, the biennial operating budget passed by the Legislature draws the bulk of attention. But in many ways, the capital budget provides more insight into the thinking and priorities of lawmakers. Such is the case again this year. Legislators passed an $8.7 billion two-year capital budget to fund construction projects throughout the state, including more than 50 in Clark County. That works out to more than $1,100 for each Washington resident, contributing to construction and repair of public school buildings, prison facilities, parks and recreation facilities, low-income housing and a variety of projects that impact the lives of Washingtonians. In the process, the budget is a lifeline for city and county governments. Continue reading at Columbian.
Associated Press
Washington state to decriminalize drugs unless lawmakers act (Goodman, Simmons)
Hazing becomes a felony in some cases in Washington state
Aberdeen Daily World
Unhoused chime in on community homeless discussion
Axios
You could soon need a reservation for Mount Rainier
Bellingham Herald
New Wheelhouse building to meet growing Bellingham Community Boating Center demand
WA lawmakers to return to Olympia for special session to address drug possession law (Robinson)
Columbian
Oregon governor pauses toll plans until 2026
Habitat loss brings bears, cougars closer to suburbs, cities in Southwest Washington
Partnership aims to ease barriers for first-time homebuyers in Clark County
Opinion: Capital budget invests in state’s economy
Everett Herald
Marysville presses forward with new drug possession ordinance
After outcry, Hope Church won’t be turned into Everett homeless shelter
Business Briefs: Pandemic recovery aid and workforce support program
News Tribune
Cost of living in parts of America are out of control. How expensive is living in WA?
’Gamble hire.’ Ex-Puyallup cop had training, eligibility issues before rape arrest
Puyallup passes regulations for transitional and emergency housing. Here’s what to know
Op-Ed: WA lawmakers keep undermining public records law. We need an Office of Transparency
Olympian
Washington state crowned the top state in the U.S. for nursing, says new national study
WA state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will not seek reelection
Peninsula Daily News
Missing, murdered indigenous legislation signed (Lekanoff, Van De Wege)
Puget Sound Business Journal
PUMP Act penalties kick in for business owners
Amazon to move 2,000 employees from Seattle to Bellevue
Seattle Times
Jay Inslee sees greener pastures ahead
Seattle says the bad times are easing. Do you feel it?
Inslee calls WA Legislature special session to address drug possession (Goodman, Dhingra, Robinson)
Editorial: A pioneering effort seeks new voters anywhere they may be, including prison
Opinion: On-site child care would alleviate companies’ return-to-office struggles
Spokesman Review
Spokane police seek authority to arrest people in parks after hours
Inslee calls WA Legislature special session to address drug possession (Goodman, Dhingra, Robinson, Billig)
Tri-City Herald
This Marine survived 5 combat tours. Now a Tri-Cities program is helping him live
3 years later Hanford nuclear waste cleanup negotiators reveal this breakthrough
Flood watch: Rivers rising quickly with mountain snowmelt. What to watch out for
Wenatchee World
Grant helps educate Wenatchee Valley students on proper bike safety
Inslee signs Hawkins’ public facilities district legislation into law
Yakima Herald-Republic
ICE appears to resume using Boeing Field; future operations in Yakima unclear
Opinion: Heritage Connectivity Trails project is a step forward for community safety
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gov. Inslee announces special session for legislators to finalize drug possession law
Modified Washington state police pursuit bill to be signed by Gov. Inslee
Tenino fires officer who made a deal to remove records of past termination from personnel file
Seattle’s Metropolitan Improvement District renewed for another 10-year term
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
UW Medicine works to fill national gap in abortion care training
KNKX Public Radio
Retired Alaska Airlines turboprop to get new life as ‘world’s largest’ hydrogen-powered plane
KUOW Public Radio
Inslee announces special legislative session to pass new drug possession law
End to pandemic food assistance hitting people hard in Washington state
Words In Review: Should we say ‘assault weapons’?
Remote work has changed us, but for good?: Today So Far
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Co. leaders call on governor, legislators to create new drug possession law
Q13 TV (FOX)
Fewer guns reported stolen, yet gun violence amongst teens increasing
‘Gold Rush’ of green aviation tech unfolding in Snohomish County
Web
Cascadia Daily News
State funds arts, crisis care in Whatcom, Skagit (Ramel)
Legislature codifies ‘Transition to Kindergarten’
MyNorthwest
Gov. Inslee increases affordable childcare access with new bill (Wilson)
Report: Sugary beverages consumption decreases due to Seattle tax