Inslee urges lawmakers to act on housing, gun measures
Gov. Jay Inslee urged state lawmakers Tuesday to act on his legislative agenda in a speech to a joint session of the Legislature, calling for stricter gun laws, unprecedented spending on housing and a boost in funding for education. The governor’s State of the State address is an annual ritual in Olympia, full of pomp and circumstance, when the governor lays out where the state stands and what he wants to see out of the 2023 session, which began Monday. Inslee made the case in the noon hour address for his proposed $4 billion referendum to build thousands of new housing units, including shelters, affordable housing and supportive housing. Lawmakers would need to pass that measure before it went to voters. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)
State Rep. Orwall reelected House speaker pro tempore in Olympia
State Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, will once again preside over House floor debate in Olympia when the speaker of the House is unable to do so. The House reelected Orwall, nominated by the Democrats, during the Legislature’s opening ceremonies Jan. 9 as speaker pro tempore. “I am privileged and deeply honored to have been selected by my fellow lawmakers for this important office,” Orwall said in a House Democrats news release. “I am grateful for their support and confidence, and I pledge to work for everyone in this chamber as hard as every one of my colleagues works for the people of our state.” Continue reading at Kent Reporter. (Washington House Democrats)
Abortion measures among early bill filings
Abortion-related measures and fertility treatment health coverage were included among more than 400 bills filed by state lawmakers by the time they were sworn in for the 105-day legislative session that began Monday. Bills already making their way to committees include a ban on abortions of unborn children with Down syndrome as well as a Senate joint resolution for a constitutional amendment. The amendment would guarantee that the state “shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom decisions.” Approval would be required by two-thirds of lawmakers and voters. Continue reading at Peninsula Daily News.
Associated Press
Wash. Gov. Inslee seeks lawmaker action on housing, guns
Calls and texts pour into 988 mental health crisis line
Bellingham Herald
Gov. Inslee delivers State of the State with an eye on housing and homelessness
Recent substation vandalism added to rising number of attacks on Washington’s power grid
Bothell-Kenmore Reporter
Proposal would exempt Washington’s news outlets from B&O tax (Mullet, Pollet)
Columbian
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Vancouver police officers to see 6 percent raise
Everett Herald
Inslee makes his case for a $4 billion housing bond in State of the State (Paul)
‘Write letters’: Lynnwood council urges outcry against opioid center
Comment: Covid isn’t close to giving up; we shouldn’t be either
Kent Reporter
State Rep. Orwall reelected House speaker pro tempore in Olympia (Orwall)
News Tribune
Editorial: WA lawmakers say ‘legislative privilege’ lets them bury public records. They’re wrong (Jinkins)
Olympian
Lawsuit filed over state lawmakers’ use of ‘privilege’ to deny access to public records (Jinkins)
Proposed airport sites in Pierce, Thurston counties may not be viable given obstacles
Dozens rally outside port meeting, raising concerns about Olympia Regional Airport
Sheriff Sanders promises more vehicle pursuits and jail bookings plus other changes
Peninsula Daily News
Abortion measures among early bill filings (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Chapman)
Port Townsend Leader
Legislature back to in-person sessions (Jinkins, Orwall, Bronoske, Keiser, Lovick)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing finishes 2022 on high note after surge in deliveries
Seattle Times
Puget Sound Energy agrees to move more customers from gas to electric heat
Free transit passes now available for all Climate Pledge Arena events
Inslee urges lawmakers to act on housing, gun measures
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County home prices see slight year-over-year rise
Spokesman Review
Local delegation blasts Inslee’s proposed transportation budget that includes North Spokane Corridor pause as ‘almost unconscionable’ (Riccelli, Billig)
‘Boldness and ambition’: Inslee calls on Legislature to make big investments in housing, behavioral health (Heck)
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Dangerous drivers create difficult commute for Seattle biking community
Washington Post
There’s a secret pollution source in 40 million homes. The U.S. may try to ban it.
Wenatchee World
Douglas PUD eyes several bills introduced in current legislative session (Chapman, Rolfes)
Yakima Herald-Republic
At the mercy of the market: Yakima trailer park residents feeling the pain of higher rent
Broadcast
KHQ
Revised hospital safe staffing bill introduced in Washington state senate (Keiser)
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gov. Inslee outlines legislative priorities in State of the State address
2 western Washington teen athletes die by suicide days apart
Reduction in private ambulance service in Pierce County could impact 911 system
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Inslee pitches housing plan, assault weapons ban, abortion protections in State of the State address
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington 1st state to launch mental health crisis line dedicated to Indigenous persons
KUOW Public Radio
Gov. Inslee leans into housing and homelessness in 2023 State-of-the-State address
No bones about it: Students seek a Washington state dinosaur designation (Morgan)
KXLY (ABC)
Packed In: Spokane’s housing supply still limited; short 25,000 housing units
Q13 TV (FOX)
DSHS changes may mean people needing mental health services could be released from jail
Web
Crosscut
Q&A: Washington Governor Jay Inslee talks housing, guns, climate
Two lawsuits could threaten the sovereignty of Indigenous nations
Marijuana Moment
Washington Lawmakers Tackle Marijuana Interstate Commerce, Employment Protections And Equity On First Day Of 2023 Session (Keiser)