WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Thursday, January 30

Public safety is a central issue for the 2025 legislative session in Olympia, with dozens of bills in play. (Amy Sundberg)
Washington Legislature Rolls Out Wide Array of Public Safety Bills
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Olympia have made it clear that public safety remains one of their top priorities, along with affordability, housing, and education. Newly elected Governor Bob Ferguson ran on a pro law enforcement platform and has vocally supported a focus on community safety and hiring more cops. The Washington State Legislature is considering a large array of proposals to meet these goals, from subsidizing police officers to considering more gun control legislation to addressing the state’s public defense crisis. Here is a sampling of the most impactful public safety legislation under consideration in Olympia. Continue reading at The Urbanist. (Amy Sundberg)


Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios

Trump admin lays out framework for order targeting transgender protections
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued guidance Wednesday instructing federal agencies on how to carry out President Trump’s executive order targeting transgender protections.It’s the latest in a series of moves aimed at stripping away civil rights and protections from transgender Americans in policies that will also greatly impact nonbinary people. Continue reading at Axios. (Maura Losch)


Child care advocates rally on the state Capitol steps on Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

WA child care advocates push for higher pay and more support for providers
Lawmakers are trying to find more ways to support them and keep them in the job, including by upping pay, changing how reimbursement rates are calculated, and cutting fees and regulations. With a budget gap of around $12 billion, any new state spending may be difficult to approve this session, but advocates and lawmakers from both parties agree that strengthening the child care system is critical. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Laurel Demkovich)


Print

Axios
What happens if ICE agents show up at Seattle schools
Trump admin lays out framework for order targeting transgender protections

Columbian
Clark County’s nonprofits and governments still reeling after federal funds freeze called off

The Daily News
State passes needed at Woodland’s Martin Bar starting Saturday
No apartments, but duplexes OK in possible plan for the Highlands
Walsh aims to strengthen parents’ rights after King County court upholds 2024 law

Indian Country Today
Flatlining salmon and steelhead numbers in Columbia Basin both a success and cautionary tale

The Inlander
Greater Spokane Inc. hosts first-of-its-kind regional K-12 public education summit to discuss issues facing local school districts

International Examiner
Wing Luke Museum and Little Saigon welcome Year of the Snake

News Tribune
Tacoma PD reaffirms immigration policy, says it has no agreements with ICE
Bill in WA Senate would abolish The Evergreen State College, turn it into a UW campus

New York Times
With Sweeping Executive Orders, Trump Tests Local Control of Schools
Trump Kicks Congress to the Curb, With Little Protest From Republicans

Olympian
City Council declares Olympia the state’s first sanctuary city for trans and queer people
WA Gov. Ferguson appoints Brian Rybarik to lead Utilities and Transportation Commission
What changes for LGBTQ+ rights, resources under Trump? A 2025 guide for Washingtonians

Seattle Times
Nation’s Report Card reveals a math problem in WA
Some WA communities debate over removing fluoride in drinking water
What to know about immigration in WA as Trump issues executive orders

Spokesman Review
Elementary students travel to Olympia to discuss pollutants in Spokane River
Countywide fire and police leaders convene in outcry against bill to divert some county taxes to city (Ormsby, Hill)
Fleeing the Taliban: former Afghan journalist shares his journey two years after fleeing his home country
Outraged Spokane police chief calls for change after 13-year-old’s shooting death: ‘Our children are dying’

Washington Post
Backlash fueled Trump reversal on funding freeze
Warmth is weakening the polar vortex. Here’s what it means for extreme cold.
‘People are afraid’: Trump’s actions targeting trans rights lead to confusion, fear

WA State Standard
Ferguson names ex-Microsoft exec to lead utility regulatory panel
WA child care advocates push for higher pay and more support for providers (Alvarado, Wilson)

Yakima Herald-Republic
Local lawmakers fight proposal to close Yakima Valley School near Selah (Ormsby, Robinson, Nobles, Wilson)

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Cle Elum is moving to declare bankruptcy. Here’s why
Two I-5 shootings prompt WSP investigation, no injuries reported
Employee fired after making comments to Shelton store customer about her being deported
Proposed Tacoma Dome Link Extension would add nearly 10 miles of tracks between Federal Way, Tacoma

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
School Districts across Western Washington wary of potential ICE raids
‘I don’t have optimism:’ Cle Elum one step closer to declaring bankruptcy
Orca advocates beg for solutions as salmon shortage threatens whale population
Washington lawmaker’s push to make clergy mandatory reporters, including in confession (Frame)

KNKX Public Radio
WA schools will not share student information with immigration enforcement

KUOW Public Radio
WA is a ‘sanctuary’ state. What does that mean for deportations? 

KXLY (ABC)
Proposed bill could decrease funding for emergency services in Spokane County

NW Public Radio
Walla Walla’s first community land trust gets big boost
Local authorities in Sunnyside confirm ICE operations in city
Mid-Columbia farmers cautiously optimistic about second Trump administration, farmworkers feel differently

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Guemes Island Ferry fares will increase Feb. 26 
Fear ripples across school districts as immigration enforcement ramps up
A roundup of affordable housing projects in development in Whatcom County

MyNorthwest
ICE arrests individual in Centralia, Washington
Could cow burps and farts be taxed in Washington?

The Urbanist
Washington Legislature Rolls Out Wide Array of Public Safety Bills (Dhringa, Farivar, Street, Berry, Doglio, Thai)

Washington Observer
A fight over taxing short-term rentals for affordable housing (Lovelett)