Replacement picked for longtime Washington senator
Democrat Tina Orwall is the latest state representative to make the switch to the Legislature’s other chamber. Orwall was appointed by the King County Council on Tuesday to be the next senator representing the 33rd Legislative District, which covers communities in south King County, including SeaTac, Des Moines and Kent. Orwall replaces outgoing Sen. Karen Keiser who is retiring after 30 years in the Legislature. The council also approved Edwin Obras as Orwall’s replacement in the state House of Representatives. Obras is the deputy division director at the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department. Continue reading at The WA State Standard. (Ethan Miller)
Rent stabilization, new faces and a big budget gap: A picture of WA’s upcoming legislative session
The election results in Washington state are now certified, and we have a clear picture of which lawmakers will be in Olympia for the start of the legislative session in January. Democrats have had a majority in Olympia since 2018 and still have control of the legislature after November’s election. Democrats even picked up a couple more seats to expand the majority, there are a lot of new faces and some important changing dynamics for both chambers. Continue reading at KNKX. (Lindsey Wasson)
New Washington state law aiming to protect ‘vulnerable road users’ takes effect Jan. 1
Starting January 1, 2025, Washington state will be implementing a new law intended to enhance safety for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals using personal mobility devices. The law aims to reduce injuries and deaths from crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists by increasing the penalties for negligent drivers, according to a press release. Officials defined a “negligent driver” as someone who fails to exercise ordinary care while they’re behind the wheel, which then endangers another person. Continue reading at KOMO. (KOMO)
Axios
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