State Senate backs ban on sale of assault-style weapon, again
For the second time in 10 days, the state Senate has approved legislation aimed at banning the sale of assault-style weapons. The Democrat-controlled Senate on Tuesday passed House Bill 1240 banning the manufacture, distribution and sale of certain semiautomatic firearms on a nearly party-line 28-21 vote. Senators spent nearly 3½ hours debating and passing the measure the day before Easter, then sent it to the House for final action. But the House didn’t concur, ruling changes made by the Senate out of order and sending it back — prompting Tuesday’s redux. This time, majority Democrats rejected every amendment proposed by Republican senators including removing the emergency clause, the presence of which prevents a referendum. Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Rich Predroncelli)
Bill offers added protections for personal health care data
A bill intended to close the gap on health data privacy protections, provide people with more control of their health care data, and protect those who come from out of state to access reproductive and gender-affirming care has passed the state legislature. The vote follows a Northwest Progressive Institute poll that showed 76% of Washingtonians support stronger privacy protections for their health data. “Websites, apps, and health tracking devices lack the basic protections we’ve come to expect when sharing our personal health data,” Rep. Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue), the House sponsor, said. “There is no way to consent or even know about it. We must protect the data of Washingtonians and all who travel here.” Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Getty Images)
Bill to raise real estate tax ‘absolutely’ still alive in Olympia
Another proposal to allow cities and counties to raise the property tax appears dead for the year, according to Sen. Jamie Pedersen. With five days left in the legislative session, one of two new tax proposals is still under consideration, according to state Democratic Rep. April Berg. “That bill is absolutely still alive,” said Berg. Berg’s bill would raise Washington state’s real estate excise tax for some home sellers. The bill would allow local jurisdictions to raise the rate paid by home sellers by .25 percent and the rate would be increased half a percentage point on the sale of homes worth more than $3.025 million. Continue reading at KING5.
Axios
Seattle joins nation’s first statewide tree canopy collaboration
King County ranks as second healthiest county statewide
Washington state is fighting obesity, like the rest of the nation
Capital Press
Inslee OKs solar projects in county despite moratorium (Fitzgibbon)
Taxes on table as Washington legislative session nears end (Pedersen, Chopp)
Columbian
Group urges Clark County to include climate action in growth management plan (Duerr)
Financial plan: I-5 Bridge to open in 2033, light rail could run during construction
La Center gender policy focus of probe by state
Everett Herald
Lynnwood council bans new drug treatment centers for 6 months
State Senate backs ban on sale of assault-style weapon, again (Kuderer, Van De Wege)
License plates advance recognizing pickleball, Mount St. Helens (Lovick)
Comment: State’s climate investments should start with kids
Letter: House Bill 1110 would aid affordable housing
Editorial: Lawmakers’ focus on housing must bring efforts home (Berg)
Kitsap Sun
Olympic College revamps welding facility, aimed at a workforce need in Kitsap’s economy
News Tribune
Trucking data shows the drive past the Tacoma Dome, once a nightmare, is getting better
Family wins appeal for full $98.5M from state on behalf of Susan Cox Powell’s sons
Olympian
WA had second-highest vehicle theft rate in U.S. for 2022. What cars were stolen the most?
Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington champions biofuel production for aviation
WA reforms builders’ bugaboo: the capricious design review process
How Seattle became an ideal landing spot for space companies
Seattle Medium
Senate OKs Bill Allowing Duplexes, Fourplexes In Washington (Trudeau)
Funding Cuts Could Negatively Impact Empowerment Program For Young Girls
Seattle’s It’s Never 2 Early 2 Create & Innovate Plaza Seeks To Empower Young Black Entrepreneurs
Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee Members Announced For Urban Unincorporated Areas Of King County
Seattle Times
Several problems likely to blame in WA ferry grounding
This WA tax credit could give you free money. If you sign up.
Seattle City Council approves $10 late fee cap for renters
Should drugs be a crime anymore? Seattle mayor says he’s conflicted
Two WA men charged with ‘straw purchasing’ more than 100 guns
WA bill to ban harmful chemicals in cosmetics hits Gov. Inslee’s desk (Mena)
Supreme Court poised to rule on abortion pill restrictions
Spokesman Review
Budget committee weighs Inslee’s plan to stockpile abortion medicine (Ormsby)
Washington may change real estate excise taxes to build affordable housing (Jinkins)
Opinion: We need more leaders, advocates for our rich natural resources legacy (Chapman, Lekanoff)
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Community suggests cultural diversity, flexibility for WWCC
Yakima Herald-Republic
Residents moved out of homeless encampment on Yakama Reservation
Editorial: No one wants to hear the answer to homelessness
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Bill to raise real estate tax ‘absolutely’ still alive in Olympia (Pedersen, Berg)
Bill protecting Southern Resident orcas passes State House, Senate (Lekanoff)
Identity theft is prolific and growing in western Washington
Capitol Hill synagogue vandalized with antisemitic graffiti
More than 100 people in King County facing displacement after shelter program funding dries up
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Inslee signs bill aimed to crack down on illegal pill press operations (Leavitt)
KUOW Public Radio
Could an aging WA fleet lead to more ferry mishaps?
Washington lawmakers pass modifications to controversial police pursuit law (Lovick)
NW Public Radio
School upgrade projects in Kelso are nearing completion, officials say
Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington bill to allow transgender interventions on minors without parental consent (Liias, Senn)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Education bills will expand free meals, special ed funding
Crosscut
WA may end mandatory sentencing points based on juvenile convictions (Hackney)
New law prepares Washington for interstate cannabis sales (Saldana, Keiser, Shewmake)
Without affirmative action, colleges face a tough path to diversity
MyNorthwest
Bill offers added protections for personal health care data (Slatter, Dhingra)