House proposes $69.5 billion ‘Resilient Washington’ budget, slightly more than Senate’s plan
House budget writers proposed a $69.5 billion operating budget for the two-year, 2023-25 biennium on Monday. “We still hear from our constituents and communities across the state about significant unmet needs in K-12 education, in behavioral health, in housing affordability and homelessness, in workforce development and beyond,” House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, said at a news conference Monday. “Our proposed budget addresses these needs, and it does so even though we saw a reduction in our revenue forecast last week. Our strategies for addressing our greatest challenges are mutually reinforcing and funding one area at the expense of others won’t get the job done.” The proposed operating budget does not rely on any new tax increases, although there is still discussion in the Legislature about a real estate excise tax proposal to increase affordable housing services, Fitzgibbon said. He noted that proposal will remain in consideration until the end of the session. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Steve Bloom)

‘Record-breaking’ $8.3 billion construction budget proposed by House leaders
A record-breaking $8.3 billion capital budget proposal was released Monday afternoon by House budget writers. That amount includes $4.62 billion in new state bonds as well as $3.16 billion in federal, local, and dedicated state funding. Lawmakers are also proposing leaving aside $160 million in reserves for the 2024 supplemental budget. This budget is the first that contains revenue from the 2021 Climate Commitment Act, and lawmakers are proposing $525 million in spending from that account. The proposed House budget leaves open the possibility of Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed $4 billion housing referendum to fund affordable housing in Washington over the next several years. “Our members want to see a greater level of effort on affordable housing and providing access to affordable housing across the state,” Fitzgibbon said. Fitzgibbon noted that the bond proposal will remain under consideration, and said that it will likely be discussed until the end of the session. Continue reading at Bellingham Herald. (Ted S. Warren)

Opinion: WA’s Fair Repair Act for electronics is about choice, cost and waste
How you repair your electronics, where you are allowed to get them serviced or repaired, whether you can afford to wait for the repair or just give up and get a new device, and how far away the nearest licensed repair shop is — all of that is due to something that’s hardly mentioned: Choice. In the short term, it’s irresponsible not to have that choice — to throw old devices into landfills, allow them to leak toxic heavy materials and poison the earth, and to allow rural school kids to fall behind by not having the electronic devices they need to thrive. While it may seem a cheap fix to buy a new device, it’s not cheap for many whose devices break or break down through no fault of their own. Right here in Washington, House Bill 1392, otherwise known as the Fair Repair Act, passed off the House floor and is now with the Senate for further consideration. Manufacturers’ lobbyists are working hard to defeat or weaken the bill in the other chamber. This bill benefits everybody — so we need you to reach out to your legislators (click here to find yours) and let them know that you want the right to repair your own devices. Please act quickly — this year’s Legislative session ends on April 23. There is no time to wait. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Getty Images)