Opioid prevention, new gun laws, and co-living. Here are bills passed the last week of session
More than 1,200 bills were filed in the Washington state Legislature this year, buy only a small percentage of those made it over the final hurdles to pass before the adjournment of the 60-day session. The 2024 Washington state Legislature adjourned last Thursday after passing 384 bills as well as state supplemental operating, capital and transportation budgets for the 2023-25 biennium.
Continue reading at News Tribune. (Tony Overman)
From controversial to life-saving, these WA school bills are headed to Inslee to sign
Washington lawmakers had a laundry list of K-12 public education priorities when they opened for the 2024 legislative session on Jan. 8. The state updated its match formula for new school construction, which is expected to add an additional $103 per square foot for school districts that pass local bond measures. It’s the first significant increase to the allocation in the history of the program. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Lindsey Wasson)
Legislature grants Vashon midday water taxi service, new ferry funding
With new money from the state now secured, King County plans to add four round trips each weekday to its water taxi service between Vashon and downtown Seattle. The water taxi money is included in a supplemental transportation budget the Legislature approved last week for the remainder of the 2023-2025 budget cycle. The legislation, which at press time still was awaiting Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature, also includes $169,000 for WSF to hire another “service planner,” a job category whose duties include route scheduling. Continue reading at Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber. (KC Metro)
Axios
Boeing 737 Max production plagued by numerous problems, FAA audit finds
Columbian
Camas mill employee killed in workplace accident
From controversial to life-saving, these WA school bills are headed to Inslee to sign (Stonier, Senn, Ortiz-Self)
Everett Herald
Mill Creek rep’s bill to tax expensive real estate sales fails (Berg, Chopp)
Comment: Lack of primary care doctors is sickening, literally
Editorial: Legislature has its own production of ‘The Holdovers’
Letter: Universal health care bill again ignored by state lawmakers
Letter: Lawmakers missed chance with free tuition bill to help many
Kent Reporter
President Biden’s budget includes $500M for Hanson Dam fish passage
News Tribune
How long will drivers pay tolls on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge? The year has changed
Pierce County bridge blocked critical salmon routes for nearly 80 years. The fix is $53M
Convicted killer from Caribbean is person who died at Tacoma immigration center, ICE says
Opioid prevention, new gun laws, and co-living. Here are bills passed the last week of session
Puget Sound Business Journal
Business groups tally wins as WA legislative session ends
Downtown Seattle businesses spend millions on private security
Washington’s second-largest employer nears pre-pandemic benchmark
Seattle Times
Higher tolls could be en route as Highway 520 costs surge (Pedersen, Fey)
WA approves more funds for tenant attorneys as evictions remain high
Editorial: Burien’s anti-camping ordinance is not an answer to homelessness
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County projects to receive $4 million in federal funding
Spokesman Review
NBA legend John Stockton sues Washington AG’s office over COVID bans
More than a million Washingtonians can file taxes for free through new pilot program
Washington’s 2024 legislative session adjourns after lawmakers killed two of the year’s highest-profile bills (Billig, Jinkins)
Opinion: A bold blueprint for salmon restoration in the Columbia River Basin puts region on the right course
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Legislature grants Vashon midday water taxi service, new ferry funding (Alvarado)
Washington Post
In states with laws targeting LGBTQ issues, school hate crimes quadrupled
WA State Standard
Court blocks state inspections of federal immigration facility in Tacoma
‘Modest at best’: The WA Legislature’s not-so-banner year on housing policy (Jinkins, Billig, Alvarado, Van De Wege, Mullet, Chopp)
Wenatchee World
More than $11M headed to NCW for land conservation, airport and body cameras
Wenatchee School District’s bond refinancing set to give back $6.6 million to taxplayers
Yakima Herald-Republic
Return to Quincy: Ag land becomes fertile territory for data farms
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Memorial service for Washington State Trooper killed on job set for Tuesday
Facing a $26 million budget shortfall, Northshore district plans to cut fifth-grade music program
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Boeing whistleblower John Barnett found dead
Drivers say new $15 toll has them avoiding SR 167
Report: Car thefts down across Western Washington
Report highlights civil liberties concerns with facial recognition technology
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Low salary limits police officer recruitment in Seattle despite bonus offers, report says
King County sheriff seeks legal judgment on Burien’s controversial homeless camping ban
KUOW Public Radio
Bainbridge Island residents show new optimism and resolve to revive Washington’s ferries (Nance)
KXLY (ABC)
Some wildfire survivors frustrated with FEMA assistance
Spokane Councilmember Paul Dillon asks Governor Inslee to declare a state of emergency
John Stockton files lawsuit against Washington Attorney General, medical commission over COVID sanctions
FOX13 TV
The Spotlight: Washington pursuit laws change, criminals in for big surprise
Web
Cascadia Daily News
A day at Point Roberts Primary, one of Washington’s smallest public schools
Samish Indian Nation partnership has removed more than a million pounds of marine debris