Nearly 3 million immigrants got amnesty under Reagan. Some of them still work on Washington’s farms
These days, like all employers, farms gather social security numbers and other paperwork documenting their employees’ work authorization. But, statistically, most growers know it’s possible — or even likely — that some of that paperwork isn’t valid, said Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. That’s because about 40% of farmworkers are in the U.S. without legal status, according to the federal Department of Agriculture. As immigration enforcement ramps up, farms and growers in Washington and across the country are at risk of losing their workforce and the skill that comes with seasoned workers. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)
Washington’s budget deficit grows to $13 billion over the next four years after newest projection
Washington state’s budget problem just got a little worse. Almost $1 billion worse, according to budget forecasters. The latest report from the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council projects revenue collections through 2029 will be $845 million lower than originally estimated, according to the Governor’s Office of Financial Management. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)
Why Washington legislators want to add textured hair care to beauty industry training
People with textured hair, especially in rural parts of Washington, often struggle to find local hair care that meets their needs and are sometimes forced to travel long distances for it as a result. Lawmakers are hoping to change that with House Bill 1874, which would require people working in the hair care industry to receive training on textured hair during cosmetology school or apprenticeships. Textured hair is described in the bill as hair that has a distinct shape or pattern such as coils, curls, kinks, spirals, or waves. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Getty)
Associated Press
Fishermen want to go green but say DOGE cuts prevent that
Aberdeen Daily World
Gov. Bob Ferguson visits Grays Harbor County
Gov. Ferguson speaks to Hoquiam High School students
Axios
When social housing could open in Seattle
Bellingham Herald
Top Ferguson aides resigning amid toxic workplace complaints, lawmakers say (Trudeau, Chapman)
Clouds in state-revenue forecast: Projected collections through 2029 drop $845 million (Robinson, Ormsby)
Ferguson, WA lawmakers honor Seattle-born guitar icon Jimi Hendrix with Medal of Merit (Santos)
Capital Press
Washington looks at new agency to build transmission lines (Shewmake)
Everett Herald
Panel discusses county’s proposed Critical Areas Regulations ordinance
Snohomish County resident identified with measles
Column: Welch: Lawmakers ignore needs of families with disabled kids
Letter: Fair taxes can pay for state, federal needs
Indian Country Today
Clinic closures, firings, buyouts: Northwest tribes sound alarm about cuts to health care, education and other key services
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Letter: Islanders feel impacts to federal cuts
Kitsap Sun
New school, and temporary classrooms, coming to district’s East Bremerton site
Olympic College launching new bachelor’s degree, the 7th now available in Kitsap
Could millions of Washington residents get a DOGE refund check? Here’s the latest
Innovative treatment helping Kitsap Mental Health address patients with severe depression
News Tribune
Clouds in state-revenue forecast: Projected collections through 2029 drop $845 million (Robinson, Ormsby)
Northwest Asian Weekly
Jayapal’s bill takes aim at outdated law behind WWII incarceration
Olympian
Clouds in state-revenue forecast: Projected collections through 2029 drop $845 million (Robinson, Ormsby)
Ferguson, WA lawmakers honor Seattle-born guitar icon Jimi Hendrix with Medal of Merit (Santos)
No permitting fees for affordable housing developers in Olympia? Officials discuss proposal
Opinion: Election security shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Defunding DHS programs puts it at risk
Port Townsend Leader
Council hits pause on pay-to-park plan
DNR: State will be ready for wildfires regardless of federal funds
Puget Sound Business Journal
Construction costs rise amid tariff policy, uncertainty
Seattle council decides on controversial rezoning in Sodo
Anxiety, hope in Pioneer Square as shelter, clinics set to open
How downtowns are being redefined in the post-pandemic world
Lenders say millions in small-business funding, tax credits at risk
Seattle Times
Top Gov. Ferguson aide resigns amid workplace complaints
WA sees $845 million drop in state revenue in new budget outlook (Robinson, Ormsby)
Trump not in contempt in Seattle Children’s gender-affirming care case, judge says
Editorial: Make vacant strip malls part of solution to WA’s housing crisis
Opinion: DOGE’s real goal is privatizing government
Opinion: As more of our neighbors go hungry, WA lawmakers must do better
Opinion: Seattle was told it was ‘disappearing’ its top students. Did SPS hear?
Spokesman Review
Economic forecast projects Washington to see nearly a billion less in revenue over four years (Ormsby, Jinkins, Pedersen, Robinson)
Legendary musician and Washington native Jimi Hendrix awarded state’s highest civilian honor posthumously (Santos)
‘These folks are heroes’: Four Washington Department of Ecology employees receive state’s top civilian honor for rescuing woman
Opinion: The federal workforce in Spokane has been shrinking compared to our economy
Washington Post
Trump aides prep new tariffs on imports worth trillions
Social Security to require millions to make claims in person rather than by phone
Federal workers think Trump won’t improve their agencies — even his voters, poll finds
WA State Standard
Flu deaths rise around U.S. as anti-vaccine disinformation takes root
Washington’s latest budget outlook shows another $845M dent in state revenue (Robinson, Ormsby, Jinkins)
Why Washington legislators want to add textured hair care to beauty industry training (Morgan)
Wenatchee World
Legislative Watch: March 17
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Snohomish County mulls new daycare ordinance to help meet childcare demand
Fife police investigating after suspected ICE impostors target Ukrainian grocery store
Major Puget Sound area construction project could be delayed amid funding concerns
Washington’s budget deficit grows to $13 billion over the next four years after newest projection (Ormsby, Jinkins, Pedersen)
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle City Council passes controversial SODO housing rezoning proposal
Wrongful death suit filed against WA trooper accused in deadly DUI crash
State losing millions? No license plate readers on SR 167 since 2008
People accused of yelling anti-gay slurs at Capitol Hill bar customers ID’d
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
‘CARE’ teams expanding into south and southwest Seattle
New housing project at JBLM to cut off-base living, boost military community
KUOW Public Radio
Washington lawmakers rebuke Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid
After ICE arrest, attorney alleges Spokane County Sheriff’s Office broke WA law
Nearly 3 million immigrants got amnesty under Reagan. Some of them still work on Washington’s farms
KXLY (ABC)
Proposed changes to child care provider qualifications spark debate in Washington
Washington revenue forecasts decline as lawmakers set to release budget proposals (Ormsby)
‘We are looking for an opportunity to have some protection’: Ukrainian community meets with Rep. Baumgartner
Web
Cascade PBS
Ferguson budget plan extends child support garnishment (Dhingra)
Trump tariffs, potential cuts could muddy WA’s financial future (Robinson)
WA keeps details of severe workplace injuries, deaths from public (Springer)
InvestigateWest
Clinic closures, firings, buyouts: Northwest tribes sound alarm about cuts to health care, education and other key services
MyNorthwest
Dem Senators warn of Cuts to Apple Health in Washington
Governor Ferguson’s furlough plan ‘betrays’ union workers?
Democrat Ortiz-Self defends controversial parental rights bill (Ortiz-Self)
The Urbanist
Federal Funding Review Jeopardizes $25 Million for Sound Transit Infill Station
Op-Ed: We Need a Bolder Bob Ferguson as Governor
Washington Observer
Housing policy highlights (Berg, Peterson, Lovelett)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Last day of winter