Another major cutoff in the WA Legislature: Here’s what passed and what didn’t
Wednesday marked another major deadline during the 2023 legislative session as bills had to be passed out of their house of origin in order to continue their progress in the state Legislature. Bills that have been passed from their first chamber will now head to the opposite chamber for committee hearings. During a press conference with Democratic leaders on Thursday, Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, told reporters that Senate Democrats were “pleased” with the policies that will advance forward and that lawmakers had tackled many significant issues so far. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Elaine Thompson)
WA lawmakers pass housing, firearm bills ahead of cutoff, leave rent control, recycling bills behind
Washington lawmakers are getting back into the swing of working on legislation in committees following a key cutoff deadline. Legislative leaders are celebrating bipartisan progress on bills to increase the supply of housing and support workforce development, particularly among nurses. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) said she’s pleased with how the week and a half of full time floor action went, highlighting the high number of bills passed — many with bipartisan support. “One of the things I asked at the beginning of the session – I asked my caucus – was to focus on common ground,” Jinkins said. Continue reading at KNKX. (NW News)
Washington state may boost 988 hotline funding as demand grows
Last summer, the federal government made access to suicide and crisis counseling much simpler by launching the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – a shorter version of the (still functional) 10-digit suicide prevention hotline. Now, as awareness spreads, call centers are feeling pressure to keep up with the growing number of people seeking 24/7 behavioral health support by calling or texting 988 to have a confidential conversation with someone trained to help, free of charge. State lawmakers are considering a proposal this session to boost funding for the 988 service. House Bill 1134 would add money to the budget to support rapid-response teams, provide more comprehensive training for responders, and put into motion a statewide marketing campaign. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)
Associated Press
State Senate OKs bill to change police pursuit law (Van De Wege, Dhingra, Lovick)
Aberdeen Daily World
Extra SNAP cash expires for 16K on Grays Harbor
Axios
Our winters are warming, despite this year’s cold spell
Lawmakers advance plan to legalize more duplexes and quadplexes (Bateman)
Capital Press
Washington bill shielding private fish groups from suits draws opposition (Lekanoff)
Columbian
Leading the charge for EVs in Clark County
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The Daily News
WA state, Cowlitz County officials review how bail amounts affect crime, suspects
WA bill to address housing discrimination, including previously in some Longview neighborhoods (Taylor)
Everett Herald
Inslee wants pursuit bill and press houses face demolition (Billig)
Tribes granted permit to build behavioral health center near Stanwood
Yes, it’s legal (and risky) to bike on WA highways — with big exceptions
Amid smoke-filled summers, motivated teachers drive climate education
Kent Reporter
33rd Legislative District representatives set March 18 town hall (Keiser, Orwall, Gregerson)
Olympian
Walmart to eliminate plastic bags in WA soon. What to know about state’s bag restrictions
Olympia schools deficit could fall to $13.9 million, but only with layoffs, update shows
Another major cutoff in the WA Legislature: Here’s what passed and what didn’t (Billig, Bateman, Wellman, Peterson, Berry, Dhingra, Lovick, Ramel, Ramos)
Peninsula Daily News
District 24 scorecard (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Chapman)
Peninsula hospitals exempt from bill (Van De Wege, Tharinger, Chapman)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Businesses could face penalties as new worker protections kick in
Seattle Times
WA has no hate crime hotline, but the idea is gaining traction (Valdez)
These WA ZIP codes saw the most applicants for Biden’s student loan relief
Fearmongering diverts attention from real threats of gender oppression
Editorial: Pass compromise bill on illicit drug possession
Opinion: Transparency is key to good government
Skagit Valley Herald
Cascade River nominated to receive more water quality protections
North Cascades National Park visitation returns to normal
The Skanner
In Post-Roe World, College Coaches Search For Middle Ground
Sol De Yakima
Senado de WA aprueba proyecto para modificar ley de persecuciones policiales (Lovick, Dhingra)
Spokesman Review
A number of bills are dead in the Legislature. Here’s a look at what likely won’t make it through this year (Billig)
Yakima Herald-Republic
As rent costs increase, so does pressure on Yakima County renters and landlords
Editorial: Air study’s a start — but then what?
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
In Session: police pursuit, gun bills survive cutoff deadline
Washington House committee considers harsher penalties for sexually abusive jail guards under ‘Kimberly Bender’s law’
Hazing was the ‘breaking point’ for WSU freshman who died by suicide, parents say
Where Washington stands on making Daylight Saving Time permanent
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Senators Cantwell and Murray announce over $8.75 million for Bellingham, Pullman, Spokane airports
Washington DOH to end free at-home COVID testing program in May
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington law enforcement seek solutions to address uptick in child fentanyl overdoses
KNKX Public Radio
The job market slowed last month, but it’s still too hot to ease inflation fears
WA lawmakers pass housing, firearm bills ahead of cutoff, leave rent control, recycling bills behind (Jinkins, Fitzgibbon, Billig)
KUOW Public Radio
Which WA bills survived this week’s legislative deadline?
Week in Review: police pursuits, “pink tax,” and housing
KXLY (ABC)
WA lawmakers passed a bill eliminating Daylight Saving Time, but why hasn’t it gone into effect? (Riccelli)
NW Public Radio
Stockpile of Boeing 737 MAX jets assures Moses Lake years of work
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Bills to ‘fix’ 2021 police reforms advance in Olympia (Rule, Shewmake, Lovelett)
Crosscut
Washington state may boost 988 hotline funding as demand grows (Orwall)
MyNorthwest
Washington students still less likely to enroll in college after pandemic
Stricter blood alcohol limit fails to pass WA state Senate (Lovick)
Slog
State Democrats Stiff Renters Again (Jinkins, Billig, Randall, Bergquist, Chopp, Fey, Fosse, Gregerson, Reed, Ryu, Springer, Street, Thai, Walen, Keiser, Mullet, Davis, Goodman, Hackney, Farivar, Mena, Nobles, Liias, Hasegawa, Ramel)
West Seattle Blog
Question for your state legislators? Send it now for Tuesday’s online town hall