WA Gov. Inslee signs slate of climate and environment bills into law
During the last bill-signing tour of his career at the helm of Washington, outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee signed a wide slate of climate and environmental bills into law Thursday afternoon. The bills include Senate Bill 6058, an attempt to help link Washington’s carbon market with that of California and Quebec. Combining markets would stabilize the cost of greenhouse gas allowances paid by major polluters, in turn lowering pass-through costs for gasoline, Inslee and others have repeatedly said. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)
Washington becomes first state to ban lead in cookware
Governor Jay Inslee signed the Lead in Cookware Act Thursday, banning lead from any products used to cook food, becoming the first state in the U.S. to do so. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-46), officially bans any manufacturing or sales of cookware or related components that contain more than five parts per million (ppm) of lead by 2026. It passed on a 47-0 vote (two excused) in the Senate before passing in the House on a 96-0 vote (one excused). Continue reading at My Northwest. (Hazardous Waste Management Program)
Washington Saves retirement act signed, set to launch in 2027
Washington is set to create a state-run automatic retirement savings system for workers who don’t already have access to an employer-based retirement system. Washington Saves will require businesses without retirement plans for employees to allow their workers an opportunity to contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) via an automatic payroll deduction through the Washington Small Business Retirement Marketplace. Employers will be required to enroll employees who have had continuous employment of one year or more in the program at default contribution rates. Continue reading at Crosscut.
Auburn Reporter
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Bellingham Herald
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Everett Herald
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Journal of the San Juan Islands
Eligible Washington state taxpayers can now use free IRS Direct File
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WA Gov. Inslee signs slate of climate and environment bills into law
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Washington Post
Biden aims to smooth the bumpy road to electric trucks
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WA State Standard
Controversial clean energy law takes effect in Washington
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Wenatchee World
Budget update: Wenatchee School District considers cutting 63 positions
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Yakima Herald-Republic
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Cascadia Daily News
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Crosscut
Washington Saves retirement act signed, set to launch in 2027
U.S. Appeals Court won’t block WA’s new legislative district map
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West Seattle Blog
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