Washington lawmakers finalize spending plans for the year
Lawmakers are turning their attention in the final hours of the 2024 session to money. More specifically, exactly how they want to spend lots of additional dollars in the second half of the state’s two-year budgeting cycle. Agreements for the supplemental operating and transportation budgets are awaiting action before Sine Die on Thursday. Lawmakers approved the capital budget on Wednesday. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Bill Lucia)
Legislation aims to increase access to lifesaving allergy medication in schools
Schools may see increased access to lifesaving allergy medication thanks to a bill that would allow them to stock epinephrine vials and autoinjectors. Schools are currently only allowed to stock epinephrine autoinjectors, more commonly known as EpiPens, for when a student has a severe allergic reaction. However, this year’s legislation would allow schools to house vials of the drug, which school nurses or other trained people could administer via syringe. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (Melissa Lukenbaugh)
Lawmakers, county agencies drive toward more electric buses
lawmakers passed HB1368, a measure aimed at moving school districts toward all-electric buses. The bill strengthens a current grant program, directing funds to go first to districts where students face disproportionate amounts of poor air quality and have old diesel buses. The Climate Commitment Act helps to fund the grant program for electric school buses, covering the difference between the costs of diesel and electric buses until electricity is less. Continue reading at King 5.
Aberdeen Daily World
Commissioners push ahead with homeless shelter funding
Final state capital budget showers Harbor, tribe in funding
Axios
Singles need 27 years to save for a Seattle starter home
What’s next for a new I-5 bridge over the Columbia River
Bainbridge Island Review
Police given more leeway to pursue suspects (Entenmann, Dhingra)
Capital Press
Washington ranch sues state over canceled grazing leases
Columbian
Vancouver group among those suing Washington over squirrel
Washington’s Insurance Commissioner urges companies to work with fire victims
Vancouver Farmers Market, Papa Murphy’s see impact after rollback in food stamps
Stepping stones to a home: Vancouver man finds affordable housing after living in his car
Everett Herald
Public memorial announced for state trooper killed on I-5
Editorial: Bills offer financial health for residents, state
Letter: Work of legislators, groups to protect animals appreciated (Peterson, Walen)
The Inlander
For more than a hundred years, bridges have united — and divided — Spokane
A refurbished bus brings opioid treatment to Deer Park, testing a model that could be used across the rural U.S.
International Examiner
Japanese Americans organize ‘Day of Remembrance, Week of Action’ to shut down Washington state’s ICE detention center, end deportation flights
News Tribune
Editorial: A famed provider says Tacoma’s camping ban is toxic. It’s returning money to prove it
Puget Sound Business Journal
A workforce crisis is brewing, but employees are getting the message
Seattle Times
Daylight saving begins soon. When will it ever end?
WA lawmaker questions validity of Seattle’s housing plan (Bateman)
Seattle police use of force nears all-time lows, but racial disparities still plague the numbers
Opinion: Don’t stigmatize users; address the real source of overburdened ERs
Spokesman Review
Spokane Valley to purchase land for affordable housing development
Spokane Public Schools bans Border Patrol agents from entering schools
Legislation aims to increase access to lifesaving allergy medication in schools (Bronoske)
PFAS well testing now underway. EPA is looking for another 150 homeowners to sign up
Washington lawmakers finalized the state’s 2024 supplemental capital budget. What’s in store for Spokane County?
Opinion: Welcoming immigrants is a win-win for Spokane
Washington Post
Amid explosive demand, America is running out of power
Earth posts warmest February and ninth straight record-setting month
WA State Standard
WA Legislature ramps up school construction spending (Mullet)
Washington lawmakers finalize spending plans for the year (Robinson, Fey)
Wenatchee World
Douglas County PUD residential customers could see $3 monthly rate increase in 2026
Cost of policing going up for Douglas County towns as commissioners consider new contracts
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Lawmakers, county agencies drive toward more electric buses (Senn)
WA lawmakers pass new law to combat catalytic converter thefts
Bill that raises minimum age to marry in Washington lands on governor’s desk (Stonier, Trudeau)
Mountlake Terrace Police Department distributing Narcan to community members
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Lawmakers pass legislation expanding places where you can’t carry a gun
KUOW Public Radio
Tukwila is swelling with asylum-seekers. What can be done?
Will Seattle’s new growth plan produce enough housing for newcomers?
Corner stores are the cornerstone of Seattle’s quest to become a 15-minute city
NTSB says Boeing is withholding key details about door plug on Alaska 737 Max 9 jet
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane community requests state of emergency for fentanyl overdoses
FOX13 TV
State lawmakers pass bill phasing out natural gas (Doglio, Orwall)
Web
Crosscut
A heap of housing bills failed in WA’s legislative session (Reed, Morgan, Alvarado, Peterson)