4 things to expect from WA’s 2025 legislative session
Washington state lawmakers will convene in Olympia next week for a 105-day marathon legislative session. Leaders offered a preview of their priorities Thursday as they gear up for lawmaking and budget writing, as the clock starts on the new fiscal cycle July 1. Five panels of leaders, including House and Senate leadership, budget and transportation leaders, outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee and Democratic Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson spoke on new proposals for the upcoming year and how they plan to fill a massive hole in the state budget. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Nick Wagner)
Washington lawmakers revive plan for state cap on rent increases
Despite the rent cap bill’s dramatic failure last session, backers say its prospects this year are better given new lawmakers, revamped legislative committees and growing public support. The road to final passage, however, could still be tough. Rep. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, prefiled a “rent stabilization” bill in the House on Thursday. It is similar to where the plan left off last year. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Bill Lucia)
Washington among states with highest homeless population
While homelessness grew at a faster rate nationwide than in Washington between 2023 and 2024, the number of people living without homes in the Evergreen State has continued to rise, despite years of state and local pledges to tackle the problem. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visuals)
Axios
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Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson proposes $4B in reduced spending to help narrow WA’s budget gap
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Seattle Times
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4 things to expect from WA’s 2025 legislative session (Jinkins, Dhingra, Pedersen)
Skagit Valley Herald
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Washington Post
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WA State Standard
Ferguson presses for $100M police hiring plan (Dhingra, Ormsby)
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Washington lawmakers revive plan for state cap on rent increases (Alvarado, Trudeau, Pedersen, Jinkins)
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Memorial’s emergency department reaching capacity as respiratory illness spreads
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
King County Metro to test buses with improved driver safety after killing
Governor-elect Ferguson proposes sweeping budget cuts to combat $12B shortfall (Jinkins, Pedersen)
King County Metro to pay tribute to slain bus driver with citywide memorial, procession
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KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
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Ferguson ‘skeptical’ of wealth tax, pitches broad cuts to address WA budget gap
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Childcare costs breaking the budget
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NW Public Radio
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Web
Cascadia Daily News
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Crosscut
WA cop shortage persists statewide as lawmakers gear up in Olympia (Dhingra, Pedersen)
MyNorthwest
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Washington faces transportation funding crisis but road usage charge still iffy proposition (Liias, Fey)
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West Seattle Blog
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