WA House and Senate lawmakers release $71 billion supplemental operating budget plans
Washington state House and Senate lawmakers announced their supplemental operating budget proposals Monday, with each chamber dedicating most of the funding to K-12 education and behavioral health. Senate lawmakers are proposing a $71.7 billion supplemental operating budget, adding approximately $1.9 billion in new spending. House lawmakers are proposing $71 billion, slightly under what the Senate is asking for. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (The Olympian)
Bill before Washington Legislature would strip down rules for strip clubs
Washington is known for its strict laws against strip clubs, being the only state that doesn’t allow any establishments with nudity to have a liquor license. Dancers, who often have low incomes, can perform all night and leave owing money. Senate Bill 6105, which will have a committee hearing this morning, would cap club fees at $150 or 30 percent of the money a dancer made during a shift (whichever is less) and ban clubs from carrying over debts from previous shifts. Continue reading at The Columbian. (iStock)
Washington state pushes back on book bans
Democrats in Washington state want to pass a law this year that would slow conservative efforts to ban books in local classrooms and school libraries. The push in Washington’s Legislature follows a nationwide wave of attempts from the political right to limit what kids can read — often targeting works written by or about LGBTQ people and people of color. Under the Washington proposal, school officials couldn’t ban library books or course materials solely because the material focuses on protected classes, such as Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or LGBTQ people. Continue reading at Axios. (Aïda Amer)
Aberdeen Daily World
Proposed state budget devotes $45 million for Grays Harbor projects (Mullet)
Axios
Washington state pushes back on book bans (Stonier)
Racial gaps persist in Seattle-area home values
Capital Press
Cattle numbers drop in Washington wolf territory
Columbian
Bill before Washington Legislature would strip down rules for strip clubs (Wylie)
Republicans in Washington Legislature bristle over collapse of rural housing bills (Peterson)
The Daily News
Wilson-sponsored bill aims to make kit homes easier to build
Everett Herald
Everett library trustees ‘ideally’ don’t want to merge with Sno-Isle
‘Hollow gestures’ won’t allow Camano forest school to survive, founders say
Comment: U.S. short 3 million workers amid immigration fight
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High Country News
How the Colville Tribes are restoring traditional lands and wildlife
Indian Country Today
Tribes are battling a devastating opioid crisis
News Tribune
More cuts ahead at Tacoma Public Schools? District again preparing for budget shortfalls
WA House and Senate lawmakers release $71 billion supplemental operating budget plans (Robinson, Ormsby, Fitzgibbon, Nguyen)
Peninsula Daily News
Report: Crime down in Port Townsend in 2023
Seattle Medium
Study Outlines True Cost Of Child Care In Seattle And King County
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Washington State Marijuana Homegrow Proposal Dies In House Committee Without Getting A Vote
Washington’s Dancers Advocate For A “Strippers’ Bill Of Rights”: Protecting Adult Performers In The State
Seattle Times
Five things to know about WA proposal to limit rent hikes
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Editorial: Pass bill that respects religious practices and protects children (Frame)
Spokesman Review
A ‘win-win-win’: City leaders push for Cantwell-led expansion of federal low-income housing tax credit
Washington lawmakers released drafts of their 2024 budget proposals on Monday. What could be in store for Spokane County?
Opinion: House Bill 2114 is a progressive solution to housing insecurity
WA State Standard
‘We strip our clothes, not our pay:’ Strippers rally outside the state Capitol (Saldaña)
How Washington lawmakers want to spend another $2 billion with this year’s state budget (Ormsby, Robinson)
Wenatchee World
Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center eyes $14.5 million boost from state
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘Truly disgusting’: Rainbow crosswalk in Redmond vandalized
Dancers, supporters rally for bill adding worker protections for strippers
Composting of human remains a growing option, industry in Washington state
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KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
New Washington cage-free egg law takes toll on bakeries
Senate panel to discuss future of UW, WSU athletic programs
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Report ranks Washington as #1 state with worst pothole problem
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Adult dancers rally in Olympia for ‘Strippers’ Bill of Rights.’ lewd conduct law changes
KXLY (ABC)
Cantwell, Brown calling on Senate to pass bipartisan tax package to increase affordable housing
NW Public Radio
Dissolving library districts is a hot topic, WA bill could make it harder to do
Funding for Northwest tribes to help challenges with housing, climate change
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FOX13 TV
Paraeducators demand respect and higher pay from lawmakers (Berg)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Worried homeless campers behind Bellingham Walmart face cloudy future after city action