Domestic violence survivors could be shielded under new bill. Some say the bill goes too far
A bill that would exempt state agency and K-12 public school employees who are survivors of domestic violence from public disclosure requirements is making its way through the Legislature, but not without opposition. As the law currently stands, Washington state’s Public Records Act subjects all public employees to disclosure of public records, unless an exemption exists. The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) also currently exists for survivors of domestic violence, and allows those individuals to use a substitute mailing address if they are “attempting to escape from domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, or stalking situations.” The program can forward mail from the substitute address, and allows participants to register to vote without their address becoming publicly available. The legislation, now in Senate, had a public hearing Tuesday in the Senate State Government and Elections Committee, with both proponents and opponents testifying. Continue reading at Olympian. (Ted S. Warren)
Washington lawmakers lean into addiction treatment as reduced drug possession penalties are set to expire
After testing a new method of addressing drug possession over the last two years, Washington state lawmakers may slightly increase penalties, while keeping an emphasis on treating addiction. If passed by the House, Senate Bill 5536 would make it a gross misdemeanor to knowingly possess illegal drugs. The bill, which passed the Senate 28-21, increases the punishment from the simple misdemeanor that’s been tested since 2021 and removes a requirement for officers to offer treatment during the first two contacts with someone. However, it still encourages police and prosecutors to divert people to treatment. “Drug possession usually results from addiction,” says state Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane. “And addiction is a health problem, so it makes sense to have a health solution to a health problem.” Continue reading at Inlander.
Law enforcement push legislators to roll back restrictions on police pursuits before session ends
Under the current law, police can only chase a suspect if there is probable cause to believe the driver is impaired, an escaped felon or has committed a violent or sexual crime. A bill passed by the state Senate would add the crimes of assault, vehicular assault, and domestic violence. The future of the bill in the House is uncertain. Wednesday afternoon Speaker Laurie Jinkins said, “I think it’ll move through the process and there’s a chance it’ll come to the floor.” Monday the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs sent every member of the House of Representatives a letter encouraging them to pass the bill. Continue reading at KING5.
Bellingham Herald
7-year-old with special needs has PTSD after restraints used at school, WA lawsuit says
Capital Press
GOING NATURAL: Farms grow native plants for Klamath River dam removal
Columbian
Experts in Clark County say post-pandemic learning losses hit preschoolers
Clark County schools to receive payouts as part of Juul lawsuit
Columbia Basin Herald
Sales tax exemption for seniors’ meals passes WA House (Timmons)
The Daily News
Community House receives $5.3 million state grant for youth homeless shelter in Longview
Everett Herald
‘It’s the closest I can be to them’: Nine years after the Oso mudslide
Editorial: State needs quicker route for its new ferries (Liias)
The Inlander
A Washington state bill proposes hitting the very, very, very rich with a new type of tax — but is it legal? (Frame, Billig)
Washington lawmakers lean into addiction treatment as reduced drug possession penalties are set to expire (Billig)
The state is funding a behavioral health facility in rural Stevens County, and the small town’s residents are in an ‘uproar’
News Tribune
Man alleges Tacoma police officers choked him unconscious after he reported hit and run
Here’s what we know about a controversial housing village approved by Pierce County
Editorial: Pierce County just passed a new tax and funded a homeless village. That’s a big deal
New York Times
Climate Change Is Speeding Toward Catastrophe. The Next Decade Is Crucial, U.N. Panel Says.
Olympian
Equity issues at North Thurston schools among topics raised at Black community forum
Domestic violence survivors could be shielded under new bill. Some say the bill goes too far (Mena)
Peninsula Daily News
State Senate proposes $7.9 billion capital budget
Telephone town hall set for District 24 (Van De Wege, Chapman, Tharinger)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Pierce County Council passes sales tax hike for affordable housing
Washington hospitals face budget cuts as financial losses mount
Seattle Medium
Seattle Public Schools Expects Budget Shortfall
Metro Seeks Feedback On Proposed Service Changes In Capitol Hill, Central District, First Hill And Madison Valley
Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison Releases Year One Analysis of High Utilizer Initiative Detailing 57% Drop in Their Criminal Referrals
Seattle Times
WA hospitals lost $2 billion in 2022. A plan to up Medicaid rates could help
Good luck, California Journalism Preservation Act; farewell Olympia press corps houses (Keiser)
Editorial: Misguided WA bill to close public records won’t ensure promised protections (Hunt)
Spokesman Review
Cantwell grills Norfolk Southern CEO, highlights Washington derailment in rail safety hearing
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Port of Columbia asks for public comment about Comprehensive Plan update
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima joins state settlement agreement with opioid pharmacies, manufacturers
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington passes ‘Kimberly Bender’s Law’ to raise penalties for sexually abusive jail guards
Book ban attempts hit record high in 2022, library org says
Law enforcement push legislators to roll back restrictions on police pursuits before session ends (Jinkins)
KNKX Public Radio
Behind the scenes of a new lawmaker’s effort to pass a utility shutoff moratorium in WA (Mena)
Q13 TV (FOX)
Momentum grows for creating Washington ‘bias incident’ hotline that could pay alleged victims with tax money (Valdez)
Web
Crosscut
Auditors flag half of Washington counties over COVID-19 aid
MyNorthwest
Judge rules against Seattle ban on criminal background checks for renters
Starbucks union calls for strikes, pickets ahead of shareholder meeting
WA hospitals operating at a loss, official calls situation ‘unsustainable’
Suburban Times
Killian Farooqi serves as Page for Rep. Bronoske (Bronoske)