We’re WA landlords and we agree with rent stabilization
The last election was largely about the affordability crisis facing most Americans. The cost of housing was a major factor. That’s why elected leaders in Washington would be wise to pay attention to recent polling showing 72% of registered voters — a supermajority — support a policy to limit how much landlords can increase rents. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)
Democratic state senators push $17B tax package to balance Washington budget
Democrats in the Washington state Senate kicked it off Thursday with a monstrous opening statement, calling for higher property tax collections and new levies on the state’s wealthiest individuals and largest corporations. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero)
Tax the rich, cut sales tax: WA Democrats gear up for budget talks
Washington’s Democratic lawmakers began to unveil details Thursday about how they want to change state taxes as they grapple with how to close a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. Their plans include five separate proposals that would boost taxes on wealthy people and companies, give local governments more options to raise property taxes, end some tax exemptions, and cut the state’s sales tax rate. Continue reading at KUOW. (NW News Network)
Aberdeen Daily World
U.S. Rep. Randall Visits Grays Harbor County
Gov. Ferguson meets with The Daily World Editorial Board
Axios
Prosecutors push to clarify Washington’s hate crime law
Bellingham Herald
Senate Democrats unveil 5-part tax plan to solve WA’s multi-billion-dollar budget problem (Frame, Pedersen, Robinson)
Capital Press
Farm exports caught up in U.S.-China shipping dispute
Bipartisan duo advocates for Oregon water modernization
Everett Herald
Everett City Council approves more than $200M in bonds
Edmonds mayor responds to PDC over complaint about public funds
New regional police training campus in Arlington to welcome first class (Lovick)
Bloomberg Comment: DOGE’s real goal is to privatize government services
Bloomberg Comment: Anti-vax culture war on mRNA may end up costing lives
International Examiner
Friends of Little Saigon launches place-based initiative to improve neighborhood safety and livability
Kitsap Sun
These states have the worst performing highways. Where does Washington rank?
How Trump’s order targeting Education Department could affect Washington schools
News Tribune
2 federal offices in Pierce County are on DOGE lease termination list. Will they close?
School zone cameras bring this Pierce County city $500,000 a year. Where does it go?
Pierce County tables $7.4M building purchase for Sheriff’s Office. Here’s what we know
Gas prices in America went down four weeks in a row. Is that true for Washington state?
Pierce County city appoints new council member to start next week. Here’s what we know
City of Tacoma contributes $6M for affordable housing. Here’s which projects will benefit
Tacoma Immigration Court only in nation denying residents bond hearings, lawsuit claims
Senate Democrats unveil 5-part tax plan to solve WA’s multi-billion-dollar budget problem (Frame, Robinson, Pedersen)
Opinion: Long-term care provides vital services in Washington. Without funding, it’s in danger
Olympian
Tacoma Immigration Court only in nation denying residents bond hearings, lawsuit claims
‘A true statesman.’ Former WA Secretary of State Ralph Munro has died, SOS Steve Hobbs says
Opinion: Long-term care provides vital services in Washington. Without funding, it’s in danger
Peninsula Daily News
Hospitals are likely to feel state cuts
Clallam jail program results in fewer overdoses
Puget Sound Business Journal
Child-care costs reshape workplace benefits
Tariffs start to put cost pressure on construction materials
Workers fear a recession, and they’re taking these steps to prepare
Central Washington among hottest US markets for this growth industry
Seattle Times
Senate Democrats release tax proposals as budget debate heats up (Pedersen, Frame)
WA lawmakers eye salary cuts for state employees amid budget crunch (Robinson)
WA state parks camping reservation system is changing; what to know
Seattle-area H-1B workers grapple with uncertainty over visa program
Need treatment your doctor doesn’t support? Under new Idaho law, they can deny it
Ralph Munro, longtime WA secretary of state and champion of disability rights, dies
Opinion: We’re WA landlords and we agree with rent stabilization
Spokesman Review
Eastern Washington University, Whitman College deny allowing antisemitic activity
Senate Democrats want to raise billions in revenue ahead of formal budget announcement (Frame, Pedersen)
Leftwing activist group says it reserved hundreds of seats at Rep. Baumgartner’s tumultuous town hall
‘To disregard our cultural language is disheartening’: Trump’s executive order on official language sparks conversation among Eastern Washington leaders
Opinion: Liquor tax study a waste of money
Tri-City Herald
Newhouse defends federal cuts, pledges to meet with public as calls pour into his office
Trump orders Education Department dismantled. How much money do Tri-City K-12 schools get?
Washington Post
Amazon wants a product safety regulator declared unconstitutional
WA State Standard
Trump wants to log more trees. He’ll need states’ help.
Democratic state senators push $17B tax package to balance Washington budget (Pedersen, Jinkins, Frame)
Remembering Ralph Munro, five-term Washington secretary of state and statesman
Staff at Washington AG’s office stage walkout to protest proposed furloughs and budget cuts
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Task force tackles urgent transit safety issues in King County
Father of 12 dies amid workplace safety violations at Washington company
Hundreds of Washington state Attorney General employees walk off job over proposed budget cuts
‘If he goes back to Iran, they’re going to kill him’: Iranian national, U.S. permanent resident in ICE custody
Leader of education in Washington state responds to Trump’s order to dismantle Education Department of Education
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Transit safety task force drives forward changes for workers
Washington lawmakers consider electronic monitoring for sex offenders
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Community demands action a year after deadly crash at Renton intersection
Edgewood residents debate school zone cameras as safety tool or revenue source
Washington mourns the loss of Ralph Munro, state’s longest-serving secretary of state
WA lawmakers propose changes to Parents’ Bill of Rights for gender inclusivity in schools
KNKX Public Radio
Billy Frank Jr. statue brings modern representation to U.S. Capitol
Pierce County to spend $17M raised from new sales tax on affordable housing
KUOW Public Radio
Is this the year rent limits pass? (Alvarado)
Tax the rich, cut sales tax: WA Democrats gear up for budget talks (Jinkins)
Remembering Ralph Munro, 5-term Washington secretary of state and statesman
Washington schools chief blasts ‘cruel chaos’ of Trump’s order to eliminate the Department of Education
KXLY (ABC)
New broadband project breaks ground in Rice, promising faster internet to Stevens County
Washington Senate Democrats hope to balance budget with new taxes on wealthy and changes to property and sales taxes (Pedersen, Frame)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Weigh in on proposed budget cuts for Bellingham Public Schools
Ecology invites public input on plan to clean up Ferndale industrial site
Cascade PBS
Former Washington Secretary of State Ralph Munro dies at 81
Gov. Ferguson’s top aide resigns amid staff workplace complaints (Trudeau, Chapman)
MyNorthwest
Trump orders a plan to dismantle the Education Department
Washington Senate Democrats propose wealth tax to address deficit (Pedersen, Frame)
Senate Democrats float pay cut for Washington state employees as budget crisis looms (Robinson)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Friday info