WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Tuesday, March 18

Sen. Patty Murray talks to reporters about the impacts of potential cuts to Medicaid during a news conference Monday at the Washington Capitol in Olympia. (Mitchell Roland/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Democratic lawmakers warn of ‘all-out assault’ on Medicaid, though Trump says the program is safe
Billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid would have a devastating impact on the more than 1.8 million Washingtonians who rely on the program, particularly in rural and Eastern Washington, Sen. Patty Murray said during a news conference at the state Capitol Monday. Murray said Republicans are waging an “all-out assault” on a program that provides health coverage for the elderly, those with disabilities and those in lower income levels, as they seek to pass tax cuts for billionaires. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Mitchell Roland)


Sen. Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane (Aaron Barna)
GOP Rep. Baumgartner faces angry, disruptive town hall in Spokane
U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner was confronted by a disruptive, angry crowd that demanded answers about the freshman Republican congressman’s voting record and recent actions in President Donald Trump’s White House — and regularly interrupted each answer during a town hall Monday evening at Whitworth University in Spokane. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Aaron Barna)


Picketers block University Way (The Ave) at Northeast 42nd Street in the U District as striking Starbucks employees walked off the job and closed their store in a one-day strike Tues., March 11, 2025. (M. Scott Brauer/Cascade PBS)
WA bill aims to extend unemployment benefits to workers on strike
The Washington State Senate has passed Senate Bill 5041, which aims to extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers during a labor strike. If the bill passes the House and is signed by the Governor, Washington would become the third state — after New York and New Jersey — to grant this benefit. Striking workers who have logged at least 680 hours in the past year would become eligible for UI benefits starting the second Sunday after their legal strike begins, following a required one-week waiting period. Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (M. Scott Brauer)


Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Major milestone for fish passage project along coast

Axios
Washington unemployment dips but layoffs loom

Bellingham Herald
Ecology letters coming to 30k Whatcom County water users as part of adjudication process

Capital Press
USDA: Exempt farm pesticides from monarch butterfly rule

The Daily News
Longview woman gets 2nd chance at becoming a teacher

Everett Herald
Everett council awards $2M contract for Mall Station relocation
Editorial: One option for pausing pay raise for state electeds
Bloomberg Comment: Have lawmakers forgotten they have constituents?

Islands’ Weekly
Public health hot topic: Measles outbreaks

Kitsap Sun
Trump job cuts continue: What Washington state is saying about federal layoff numbers

News Tribune
Puyallup Tribe and NWSA enter historic pact to create new pier at Port of Tacoma

New York Times
Citing Trump’s Order, V.A. Halts Most Transgender Care
Musk’s Team Evicts Officials at the U.S. Institute of Peace
Trump Administration Aims to Eliminate E.P.A.’s Scientific Research Arm

Puget Sound Business Journal
Puyallup Tribe unveils plan for new terminal in Tacoma
Port officials raise concerns over $337M in airport grants
Affordability remains key barrier to minority homeownership

Seattle Medium
Dr. Brent Jones To Step Down As Superintendent Of Seattle Public Schools

Seattle Times
GOP Rep. Baumgartner faces angry, disruptive town hall in Spokane
Proposal would force millions to file Social Security claims in person
As Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act, here’s how it shaped WA history
Ferguson aide resigned amid toxic workplace complaints, lawmakers say (Trudeau, Chapman)
Editorial: WA lawmakers, resist the urge to keep your emails private

Skagit Valley Herald
San Juan County to rejoin Northwest Clean Air Agency

Spokesman Review
Spokane proposes spending plan for $1.5 million in opioid settlement funds
Baumgartner faces angry, disruptive town hall following two months of Trump’s presidency
Democratic lawmakers warn of ‘all-out assault’ on Medicaid, though Trump says the program is safe (Riccelli, Jinkins)
‘Housing is health’: As Colville phases out homeless camp, students and organizations are stepping up to get people sheltered

Tri-City Herald
Judge orders DOJ lawyers to justify secrecy around El Salvador deportations: reports
WA losing invasive beetle battle in Tri-Cities. Fight to stop them moves to Columbia River

Washington Post
VA rolls back care for trans veterans after Trump’s executive order
Trump escalates fight with federal courts over deportation authority
Trump administration plans a 25 percent staff cut at IRS taxpayer help office
Small banks in mostly red districts could lose funding under new Trump order

WA State Standard
Trump not held in contempt in WA gender-affirming care case
Opening of new Washington juvenile detention center is delayed
State workers blast Ferguson’s furlough plan, calling it a betrayal (Frame, Scott)
Will Idaho legalize medical marijuana? State lawmakers open discussion


Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington state rally calls for tax hikes in budget plan (Frame)
How to make sure you’re ready for May 7 REAL ID deadline
Lawmakers, medical providers issue warning over possible Medicaid cuts
‘It made me feel crazy’ | Filipino fishermen spent nearly 2 months trapped aboard fishing vessels in Westport

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington highways among the worst in the nation, per report
Seattle eyes controversial change of zoning requirements in SODO
Infant hospitalized for possible fentanyl exposure, father in custody

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King County Sheriff’s Office reduces staffing amid budget constraints
Customers using Lake Stevens water system asked to conserve during pipeline repairs

KUOW Public Radio
Federal forestry changes leave state officials in the lurch

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane officials and WSDOT clash over traffic plans for Latah Valley development
Sen. Murray raises concerns over potential Medicaid cuts and impacts to state budget (Riccelli)
Crowd reacts at Rep. Baumgartner’s town hall, raises concerns on healthcare, veterans affairs and social security

NW Public Radio
Religious freedom vs. health care access: How faith influences health care in Washington and Idaho


Web

Cascadia Daily News
Water right claim forms will start arriving this week

Cascade PBS
Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brent Jones to resign
WA bill aims to extend unemployment benefits to workers on strike (Riccelli)

MyNorthwest
Washington Senate bill would tax big tech to help save local journalism—here’s how (Liias)
Controversial bill expanding protections for undocumented or gender-diverse students advances to House (Nobles)

The Stranger
We Could Have Had Universal Healthcare (Cleveland, Bronoske, Hasegawa)

Washington Observer
A shocking departure from the gov’s office

West Seattle Blog
Seattle Public Schools looking for a new superintendent, again
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Winter’s final Tuesday
Two West Seattle routes lose trips, one gains trips for Metro’s next service change March 29