With new revenue report, WA lawmakers prep for their budget reveal
A state revenue forecast released Wednesday gives Democratic budget writers in the House and Senate a little more money to spend than anticipated. Washington’s economy is projected to generate $67 billion for the two-year budget cycle that began July 1, up $122 million from the last forecast in November. Overall, collections are now up $1.3 billion since lawmakers adopted the budget in the 2023 session. The forecast provides the final piece of data each chamber needs to complete a supplemental operating budget proposal, making adjustments to the two-year plan now in place. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (LSS)
As demand for behavioral health treatment outpaces supply, Washington lawmakers consider loosening restrictions for practicing psychologists
As behavioral health staffing shortages take a severe toll on Washington residents who need care, state officials are searching for ways to encourage psychologists to stick around. On Monday, the state House of Representatives voted 97-0 in favor of a bill that would create an associate-level license for psychologists in the state. If passed, the bill would also allow associate psychology providers to work while their license applications are pending. People in training to become psychologists would be able to practice and have patients with certain restrictions under the proposal. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jessica Bateman, D-Olympia, who serves as the vice chair of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (WA House Democrats)
WA Legislature keeps most of its priority bills alive — so far
The Washington Legislature is halfway through its 2024 session, with many bills traveling toward the governor’s desk. Some significant bills, many covering the priorities lawmakers expressed before the session began in early January, appear to be making their way toward passage. Others appear to be dead. A lot of the biggest issues, including more spending on behavioral health and housing, will likely be decided as part of budget negotiations. The next big hurdle for legislation is a Feb. 21 deadline to make it out of policy committees in the opposite house, or Feb. 26 for budget bills to make it out of a fiscal committee. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Jovelle Tamayo)
Aberdeen Daily World
Hoquiam schools look to improve energy use in buildings
Axios
Washington state may outlaw deepfake porn
Capital Press
Washington House nixes bid to alter ag overtime law (Doglio)
Columbian
Washington House votes to limit rent hikes; tough Senate road awaits (Macri)
Washington lawmakers won’t hear testimony on climate policy, capital gains repeal efforts (Jinkins)
Courier-Herald
Opinion: Lawmakers must fix the failing ferry system
Everett Herald
‘Over the moon’: Everett class credited for rising kindergarten test scores
School measures rejected in Arlington, Lakewood, Sultan; pass elsewhere
The Inlander
Washington works to strengthen hate crime laws after a spate of anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism in Spokane, while Idaho fights to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care (Billig)
News Tribune
Lakewood police: Service calls and car thefts rose, eluding incidents tripled last year
Some Tacomans are being pushed out of their neighborhoods. The city wants to intervene
Opinion: Inspectors were denied entry to Tacoma’s private immigration detention center. Why?
Opinion: My child’s mother was murdered. And I’ve been to prison. I know what justice is
Puget Sound Business Journal
Rent control legislation still alive in Olympia (Alvarado, Petersen, Robinson)
A ‘slow-moving train wreck.’ Banks feel heat from troubled CRE loans
Seattle Times
WA bid to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus won’t proceed (Shewmake)
WA lawmakers won’t hear testimony on climate policy, capital gains repeal efforts (Billig, Jinkins)
Editorial: Don’t move years for WA’s municipal elections
Opinion: Don’t repeal WA’s Climate Commitment Act; improve it
Sol De Yakima
Cámara de Representantes de WA aprueba iniciativa de ley para educación sobre fentanilo (Leavitt)
Spokesman Review
More work to be done before recruiting Spokane police, fire chiefs
Reporting lost or stolen firearms passes the House, provoking contentious debate between parties (Berry, Farivar)
A grant to help Washington homeowners rebuild after wildfires passed easily in the state House. Now it’s headed for the Senate (Ramel, Riccelli)
As demand for behavioral health treatment outpaces supply, Washington lawmakers consider loosening restrictions for practicing psychologists (Bateman)
Opinion: Current Medicaid reimbursement rate is untenable
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla agencies continue work to improve fish passage in Mill Creek
Washington Post
The plastics industry would like a word with your kids
Trans adults on edge as legislatures broaden focus beyond children
WA State Standard
With new revenue report, WA lawmakers prep for their budget reveal (Robinson, Ormsby)
Biden administration picks airports for nearly $1 billion in terminal upgrades
The bills that are dead and still alive in Washington’s 2024 legislative session (Keiser, Riccelli, Simmons, Reeves, Jinkins, Kloba)
Wenatchee World
State House passes major climate policy
Douglas County building a moderate risk waste facility
Wenatchee School District provides analysis of budget cuts in plan to close Columbia Elementary
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Police raise concerns about proposed ‘hog-tying’ ban in Washington state (Lovick, Trudeau)
2 former officers acquitted for Manuel Ellis’ death ask for state to pay defense costs
Liquor and Cannabis Board begins process to amend or repeal ‘prohibitive conduct’ rule
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Federal Way Police Chief demands change after 69-car crime spree
Issues on teen crimes getting addressed – or not – this legislative session (Cortes, Billig)
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Redmond’s new affordable housing project faces backlash from citizens
Seattle needs greater authority to tear down abandoned buildings, fire chief says
Washington legislation seeks to add jail time for repeat property crime offenders
Could Washington state pay millions for acquitted Tacoma police officers’ legal fees
‘A drive to do better’: RV safe lot is now helping people exit homelessness in Seattle
KNKX Public Radio
WA House approves rent stabilization bill, teeing up legislative showdown in the Senate (Alvarado)
Environmental justice groups voice concerns as WA carbon market linkage bill advances
KUOW Public Radio
Washington bottle deposit proposal fizzles out in Legislature (Stonier)
Is Washington really ‘The Evergreen State’? The question remains
How will Washington state Democrats handle GOP-backed voter initiatives? (Billig, Jinkins)
KXLY (ABC)
Danger to Democracy: A behind the scenes look at how your ballot is protected
FOX13 TV
New WA bill addressing carbon emissions hopes to link up with California and Quebec (Nguyen)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Opinion: Water rights — and responsibilities: A use tax would benefit Whatcom farmers
Crosscut
WA Legislature keeps most of its priority bills alive – so far (Kuderer, Alvarado, Mullet, Lovick, Peterson, Walen, Orwall)