Which taxes are on the table for Washington state lawmakers
Democrats in Washington’s Legislature are weighing a range of taxes to help bridge a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, including proposals that would target the state’s wealthiest residents and businesses. Why it matters: Democrats, who control both legislative chambers in Olympia, say new revenue is needed to avoid deep cuts to public services, while Republicans are focused mainly on reducing spending. Continue reading at Axios. (Brendan Lynch)
New studies may lead to removal of Snake River dams
Time is running out to save Pacific Northwest wild salmon and steelhead, but studies conducted by tribes and the states of Washington and Oregon are providing data needed to preserve them and the ecosystems and economies that depend on them. In February 2024, a joint agreement between Pacific Northwest tribes and the Biden administration commenced a new approach to recovering salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. Parties agreed to consider breaching the four lower Snake River Dams, which have long been contentious for their part in decimating fish populations. To remove the dams, which provide energy, irrigation and transportation routes, data on the feasibility of replacing their infrastructure was needed. Continue reading at Indian Country Today. (Jessie Wardarski)
WA transportation budget lays out options: All cuts or new taxes, fees
A few competing transportation budgets came out of Olympia on Monday, but regardless of how the state’s road finances play out in the coming weeks, drivers can expect one thing: higher gas taxes. In a $16.2 billion proposal for the 2025-27 biennium favored by Democratic and Republican leaders on the Senate Transportation Committee, gas taxes would go up by 6 cents per gallon, and grow 2% every year through 2031 to help meet inflation. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Dean Rutz)
Aberdeen Daily World
Rep. Bernbaum takes to the airwaves
Senate Dems unveil tax proposals, budget debate heats up
Axios
Half of Washington students qualify for lunch aid
Which taxes are on the table for Washington state lawmakers (Frame)
Bellingham Herald
New taxes included in House, Senate Democrats’ plans to fix WA’s gaping budget hole (Robinson, Fitzgibbon, Ormsby)
Capital Press
Wildfire smoke bill introduced in Washington, D.C.
USDA provides progress report on bird flu, egg prices
Apples, pears, cherries look for Trump’s help with trade
Columbian
After mass firings, rehired Gifford Pinchot National Forest workers return to work
Measles vaccination rate among Clark County kindergartners drops to 89.9%; some schools even lower
Everett Herald
Editorial: Changes to WA Cares will honor voters’ confidence
Bloomberg comment: It matters that we understand decline in overdoses
High Country News
A billion-dollar ICE contractor is fighting to pay detainees as little as $1 a day
Indian Country Today
New studies may lead to removal of Snake River dams
The Inlander
The Spokane region is expanding opioid treatment and facilities
Kitsap Sun
Unemployment claims in Washington declined last week
NTSB warns 2 bridges in Washington could have similar fate to Francis Scott Key Bridge
WSDOT toll notices will never come through text, department says amid latest scam alert
News Tribune
This $24 million fire station just opened in Pierce County. Take a look inside
With no state money in the offing, fate of 300 homeless-shelter beds in Tacoma unclear
Northwest Asian Weekly
Seattle area celebrates Holi
Longtime UW employee held by ICE after trip to Philippines
Olympian
WA’s multi-billion-dollar transportation budget shortfall could ‘mean pausing a project’ (Liias, Fey)
How a WA city’s war with its own council member could chip away at public-records access
Ruling against Trump administration, judge says deported migrants entitled to due process
Seattle Medium
Seattle Ranks 24th For Best Overall Commute, According To Lyft Survey
Arson Strikes Tesla In Capitol Hill Amid Growing Backlash Against Elon Musk
Seattle Times
WA’s costly salmon recovery effort heads toward mediation
WA transportation budget lays out options: All cuts or new taxes, fees (Liias, Ramos, Fey)
WA Democrats’ budget proposals intensify debate on new taxes, spending (Robinson, Pedersen, Fitzgibbon, Ormsby)
Anti-trans Trump policy raises travel, safety concerns for WA residents
WA governor orders team to study data centers’ energy, tax, jobs impact
US consumer confidence tumbles for the 4th consecutive month to a 12-year low
Opinion: Progressive WA needs a progressive tax structure to match
Editorial: Tribe, port’s new alliance a bright spot in unsteady economic times
Skagit Valley Herald
Rep. Clyde Shavers hosts 10th Legislative District town hall (Shavers)
Local protestors turn out to support U.S. Postal Service workers
Spokesman Review
Federal court rejects longer block on Idaho’s transgender bathroom restriction law
Spokane City Council considers outlawing employers discriminating against the homeless
Democratic lawmakers unveil budget proposals; call on higher taxes for wealthy and companies (Ormsby, Robinson, Frame, Berg)
Spokane City Council approves another $100,000 in legal fees fighting suit brought by Robert Bradley’s estate
Washington Post
This muggy city keeps cool with minimal AC. Here’s how.
Clock ticks on Trump and GOP’s ‘big, beautiful’ bill on taxes
New Trump demand to colleges: Name protesters — and their nationalities
Long waits, waves of calls, website crashes: Social Security is breaking down
EPA knew it wrongfully canceled dozens of environmental grants, documents show
WA State Standard
Gas tax increases key to fueling Washington transportation budgets (Liias, Fey)
Democrats in Washington Legislature pitch competing budget plans (Fitzgibbon, Robinson, Ormsby)
Washington bill would speed up pardon reviews for immigrants facing deportation (Hasegawa)
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Tieton canal faces uneasy future as district prepares for irrigation season
Lawmakers hear mixed opinions about plan to close Yakima Valley School and Rainier School
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
UW lab tech, permanent U.S. resident in ICE custody
Washington Democratic lawmakers release operating budget proposals
Washington lawmakers propose gas tax hike as part of transportation budget (Robinson, Liias)
WA police departments oppose academy’s ‘outrageous’ ban on Sig Sauer P320 handguns
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Car thefts plummet in WA: State leads U.S. with 32% decrease
Metro fare enforcement goes into effect at the end of the month
Senate transportation plan proposes first state gas tax hike since 2016 (Liias)
New calf born to descendant of last orca captured in Washington waters
Family sues ICE after man dies in Tacoma immigration center during withdrawal
King County Executive Dow Constantine tapped as Sound Transit CEO with up to $650K salary
KXLY (ABC)
Dozens of Spokane mail carriers rally against potential USPS privatization
Washington legislative Democrats release budget proposals for next four years (Robinson, Ormsby, Frame)
Spokane City Council votes to eliminate building height restrictions downtown
Community members voice concerns on Mead School District’s transgender athlete policy
NW Public Radio
Washington state reports seven-year peak in influenza-related deaths
Striking workers in Washington could get access to unemployment claims if bill passes (Riccelli)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Blaine School Board approves staff cuts for third year in a row to address deficit
One family’s complaint changed how Bellingham schools handle sexual harassment
District sued, family of student who was sexually harassed calls response ‘catastrophically broken’
Cascade PBS
REI withheld pay from union workers, national labor board finds
The Urbanist
Sound Transit Picks Dow Constantine, Elevating Board Insider to CEO
Washington Observer
Unpacking “dueling” tax packages from House and Senate Democrats
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Tuesday info
Before budget time, 34th District legislators answer constituents’ questions in ‘telephone town hall” (Alvarado, Fitzgibbon, Thomas)