The 2024 legislative session wrapped last week; now, Inslee considers signing 300 bills into law
During the past two months, state legislators in Olympia passed a stack of 359 bills that Gov. Jay Inslee has been working through signing into law this week. Lawmakers showed up in Olympia for Washington’s 2024 legislative session with a lofty set of goals in the midst of a statewide housing shortage, opioid epidemic, warming climate and cost-of-living crisis. Here’s a look at a few bills Inslee signed into Washington law on Wednesday Continue reading at the Columbian. (Susan Walsh)
How child care fared in this year’s Washington state legislative session
Washington lawmakers this year funneled more money and support toward the state’s struggling child care system, looking to give providers a boost and expand access to day care and pre-K programs for families. Some of that money will go to expand mental health consultations for infants and toddlers, increase rates for providers caring for infants and add grants for early learning center construction and renovation. The investments were stronger than advocates had expected going into a 60-day session where lawmakers were adjusting the state budget, not writing a spending plan from scratch…Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Getty Images)
Washington governor signs bill into law adding protections against artificially fabricated, fake intimate images
Washington residents now have more protections in the digital world after Gov. Jay Inslee signed a new bill into law on March 14 concerning artificially fabricated porn. House Bill 1999, sponsored by State Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), provides more protections for people against the creation and circulation of fabricated intimate images, including deepfakes and digitally altered, sexually explicit images of minors, according to the bill. Continue reading at King 5. (TVW)
Associated Press
Washington State Bar Association OKs far lower caseloads for public defenders
The Supreme Court upholds mandatory prison terms for some low-level drug dealers
Supreme Court rules public officials can sometimes be sued for blocking critics on social media
Aberdeen Daily World
Contract with Aberdeen could fill Cosi cop void
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County Jail inmate dies in custody; second inmate hospitalized
Port of Bellingham sues waterfront developer after contract defaults, extension requests‘
A net loss for our city’: Bellingham residents push back against housing development to preserve trees
Capital Press
Hemp growers ask lawmaker for regulation hearing
Columbian
Firefighter memorial, public land housing bills signed into law Wednesday
Washington state has one of the biggest gender pay gaps in America. Here’s where it ranks
The 2024 legislative session wrapped last week; now, Inslee considers signing 300 bills into law (Riccelli, Wilson, Thai, Billig)
Editorial: In Our View: Culvert project must benefit salmon, taxpayers
Editorial: In Our View: Improvements to vital corridor promising
Everett Herald
Snohomish, Everett electrifying school bus fleets, ahead of new law (Senn)
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Steve Nevey to head Washington State Ferries
News Tribune
Frank Chopp is the latest of a dozen lawmakers who will not return to their posts (Chopp, Jinkins, Billig, Riccelli, Hunt, Bateman, Keiser, Mullet)
These are the fastest-growing parts of Washington state, according to most recent data
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Peninsula Daily News
Unemployment rises in state, Peninsula
Puget Sound Business Journal
Harrell proposes removing barriers to residential conversions citywide
New census data shows population growth in Puget Sound region
Seattle Times
Lunar New Year becomes a recognized holiday in WA (Thai)
Bill to hold WA cities accountable for affordable housing could return (Peterson, Lovelett)
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WA has no parole. Should prosecutors control who gets a second chance? (Simmons, Goodman)
WSP pays $1.4M to settle lawsuit alleging trooper targeted drivers of color
Editorial: Support Seattle Fire Department program to help stem overdose deaths
Opinion: Despite progress, Seattle’s downtown comeback faces many obstacles
Spokesman Review
Mayor Lisa Brown: Spokane’s structural budget deficit requires swift action
Multiple bills seeking to mandate school curriculum failed. Here’s what they proposed (Wellman)
Students take the new digital version of the SAT as debate over equity in the test wages
Inslee updates hate crime law, expands powers of physician assistants, boosts money paid to those leaving prison, recognizes Lunar New Year (Riccelli, Wilson, Thai, Billig)
Washington Post
Republicans want to stay away from the IVF issue. Abortion foes won’t let them.
WA State Standard
How child care fared in this year’s Washington state legislative session (Wilson, Billig)
Gender wage gap in Washington is among widest in nation, analysis shows
Wenatchee World
Budget crunch: Wenatchee School District weighs alternatives to closing Columbia Elementary
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Seattle 911 Center handles emergency calls in a new way
SEA Airport train malfunction impacts thousands of travelers
State to pay $8.5 million to families of Whidbey Island crash victims
Federal judge rules in favor of King County Sheriff’s Office in Burien camping ban
Washington governor signs bill into law adding protections against artificially fabricated, fake intimate images (Orwall)
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Parents concerned Seattle’s recovery-focused high school is on chopping block
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King County Sheriff’s Office challenges legality of Burien’s public camping ordinance
KUOW Public Radio
Climate-friendly building code kicks in on Friday
Longtime Washington powerhouse politician Frank Chopp is stepping down (Chopp, Billig, Keiser)
U.S. House approves TikTok ban with help from Washington state delegation
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Web
Cascadia Daily News
Young adults with disabilities supported after high school by Ferndale program
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Opinion: I want my corner coffee shops, dammit!
Crosscut
Washington UTC chair who used racial slur asked to resign