Sen. Jamie Pedersen and Speaker Laurie Jinkins: Why we are voting to pass WA’s parental-rights initiative
Our state has a strong populist history; our constitution gives Washingtonians the ability to send initiatives to the Legislature or to the ballot. This year, a conservative hedge-fund multimillionaire used that process, spending over $6 million to qualify six initiatives to the Legislature. Once the initiatives were introduced, we asked questions about implementation, constitutionality, impact on the state budget and impact on the state. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Getty Images)
Sen. Marko Liias: Work under way to rebuild reliable ferry system
Like so many others who grew up here, I have vivid childhood memories of our iconic ferries. My family couldn’t afford expensive vacations, so we found joy in exploring destinations close to home. The familiar white and green ferry fleet symbolizes the connections that tie our state together across the Salish Sea. But we also have to be honest with ourselves: Washington’s ferries are in trouble. Continue reading at Everett Herald.
‘Stripper bill of rights’ passes Legislature: Measure addresses dancers’ safety, clears way for alcohol sales
The state Legislature on Tuesday passed a bill dubbed the “stripper bill of rights.” If signed by the governor, not only will the legislation strengthen protections for strippers, it also clears the way for Washington strip clubs to serve alcohol. Washington has been the only state to ban alcohol in strip clubs. To make up for the lack of revenue from alcohol sales, strip clubs have exploited dancers, said Madison Zack-Wu, the campaign manager for Strippers Are Workers, a Washington organization of strippers who advocate for workers’ rights. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Lindsey Wasson)
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Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Sen. Jamie Pedersen: Why we are voting to pass WA’s parental-rights initiative
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