In the News

Below are links to some news stories about legislation I am working on for the 28th District:

The News Tribune: Kids with disabilities soon will have fun at ‘inclusive playground’ in Pierce County

KING5: Sidewalks are finally coming to Bethel School District’s dark, dangerous roads

Washington State Standard: As campaigning revs up, WA laws aim to detect cyber attacks and protect election workers

The Suburban Times: Leavitt bill to help the vulnerable during extreme weather signed into law

The Suburban Times: Governor signs Leavitt bill – the Lucas Petty Act – to protect students from opioids and fentanyl

Seattle Times: Washington Gov. Inslee signs fentanyl bill sending money to disproportionately affected tribes

ABC: Washington Gov. Inslee signs fentanyl bill sending money to disproportionately affected tribes

Associated Press: Washington Gov. Inslee signs fentanyl bill sending money to disproportionately affected tribes

Columbian: Washington Gov. Inslee signs fentanyl bill sending money to disproportionately affected tribes

BNN: Washington State Legislature Passes Bills Boosting Support for Veterans and Military Families

The Suburban Times: Leavitt bills to support military families and veterans headed to the Governor’s desk

The News Tribune: Opioid prevention, new gun laws among bills passed 

KHQ: Harassing election workers set to become a felony in Washington

Tacoma Weekly: Legislature passes bills to support military families, veterans

The 74: Bill Requiring WA Schools to Carry Overdose Reversal Medication Heads to Inslee

Washington State Standard: Bill requiring WA schools to carry overdose reversal medication heads to Inslee

KING5: ‘Lucas Petty Act’ would add opioid, fentanyl awareness to health education courses

BNN: Rep. Mari Leavitt Champions Public Safety and Anti-Fentanyl Legislation as Session Nears End

The Suburban Times: Legislative Update: A Focus on Community & Public Safety

University of Washington: Session News: UW Regents thank lawmakers for continued support of the UW

Washington Post: Washington lawmakers advance bill making it a felony to threaten election workers

Lynwood Times: Snohomish County Auditor praises advance of election worker protection bill

MLT News: State lawmakers show bipartisan support for fight against fentanyl

KOMO: Washington lawmakers advance bill making it a felony to threaten election workers

Seattle Times: WA lawmakers advance bill making it a felony to threaten election workers

Associated Press: Washington lawmakers advance bill making it a felony to threaten election workers

The Lion: Bill mandating fentanyl education for students passes Washington state House

The Spectator: New House Bill Seeks to Transform Education on Fentanyl

KHQ: Bill relaxing zoning requirements for small businesses before Washington Senate

FOX28: Bill relaxing zoning requirements for small businesses before Washington Senate

KUOW: Curriculum about fentanyl, other opioids could come to WA junior high classrooms

KUOW: Week in Review: crime prevention, fentanyl, and kids

Seattle Times: WA House passes fentanyl education bill

The News-Tribune: My constituent lost a son to fentanyl. WA can solve this crisis — if we act fast

KIRO: ‘Worst drug threat I’ve seen’: Washington’s teen fentanyl overdoses double rate of U.S. average

The News-Tribune: New session, new bills. Here’s some of what WA lawmakers are proposing in 2024

The Spokesman: Tougher punishment for harassing election workers passes the House twice, now confronts the Senate

The Chronicle: Other Views: Bill requiring fentanyl education in Washington schools deserves bipartisan support

Seattle Times: Bill requiring fentanyl education in WA schools deserves bipartisan support

Washington State Standard: For second time, Washington House backs tougher penalties for threatening election workers

TVW: Testimony on HB 1241: Opioid and fentanyl prevention education in public schools

Bellingham Herald: New session, new bills. Here’s some of what WA lawmakers are proposing in 2024

The Suburban Times: Join Reps. Leavitt and Bronoske for events in December & January

KUOW: Election mail threats across the PNW prompt new look at protections heading into 2024

The Suburban Times: A Day to Honor Our Veterans

KING5: Envelope that led to King County Elections office evacuation had traces of fentanyl in it

KING5: Snohomish County finds suspicious mail similar to items found at 4 other Washington election officers

US Times Post: Snohomish County finds suspicious mail similar to items found at 4 other Washington election officers

KING5: Suspicious envelopes stop ballot counts

The News Tribune: Should WA police be able to pursue stolen vehicles? 16 Pierce County mayors think so

The Suburban Times: Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony Planned for Nov. 11

Stateline: It’s hazing season on college campuses. State safeguards are uneven

Spokesman Review: New Washington state laws take effect in July. Here are a few:

City of Lakewood: Transforming Fort Steilacoom Park

Tacoma News Tribune: New improvements coming to Lakewood Fort Steilacoom Park’s baseball diamond next month

KIRO7: Sen. Cantwell visits Seattle to discuss area’s fentanyl crisis

Olympian: New Washington state laws go into effect Sunday. Here are some of the key ones

KING5: Family of WSU hazing victim working with UW students on national database to track incidents

Tacoma Weekly: Korean Community Marks Key Anniversaries

Tacoma Weekly: Teen Late Night Program Launched For Summer

The Seattle Times: New law, inspired by WSU student’s death, stiffens penalties for hazing

Big Country News:Gov. Inslee signs anti-hazing bill named after Sam Martinez into law

KING5: Washington is 15th state to make hazing a felony under new law

KING5: Gov. Inslee expected to sign “Sam’s Law” anti-hazing bill

KREM2: ‘It’s bittersweet,’ Inslee to sign WA’s new hazing law Monday

The Chronicle: Bill Addressing Overdoses by Banning Private Use of Pill Presses Signed Into Law

The Chronicle: Robocall Protection Bill Signed Into Law After Passing Washington Legislature

Spokesman Review: EWU gets broader authority for doctorate degrees

KIRO7: Gov. Inslee signs bill targeting illegal robocalls in Washington

My Northwest: New law aims to protect people from phone scams, robocalls

KOMO: Inslee signs bill aimed to crack down on illegal pill press operations

Cascadia Daily News: Legislature passes several bills to support higher education

Olympian: WA governor has signed nearly 100 bills into law so far. Here are some of the key ones

U.S. Attorney Office: Fentanyl Pill Press Operator Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison

Yahoo News: Inslee signs “Tyler’s Law” prohibiting pill presses

KIT Newstalk: Illegal Robocalls Get The Boot From WA State Lawmakers

KING 5: Gov. Jay Inslee signs bill targeting fentanyl ‘pill press’ use

FOX Q13: War on Fentanyl: Bill to make ownership of pill presses illegal in Washington heads to Governor’s desk

News Tribune: Lawmakers have until Wednesday to pass bills from the other chamber. Here’s some of what’s passed

WA Office of the Attorney General: AG Ferguson, Rep. Leavitt bill providing accountability for illegal robocalls passes legislature

Geekwire: Washington state lawmakers unanimously approve law to limit robocalls, hold telecoms accountable

Seattle Times: WA lawmakers crack down on robocalls

KING5: Washington state lawmakers pass bill strengthening protections against robocalls, phone scams

KIRO:  Legislation seeks to make robocalls illegal in Washington

KLXY: WA Senate passes bill to create more penalties for hazing

Yahoo News: 35th District State Lawmaker Voices Support for Bill Addressing Fake Pills

Capital Ideas Podcast: Supporting Military Spouses, Mitigating Climate Change Impacs, and Pushing Back Against Fentanyl

The Center Square: ‘Industrious monsters’: Washington bill targets fentanyl pill production

Columbia Basin Herald: Bill targets use of pill presses to make counterfeit drugs

Spokesman Review: ‘Culture of secrecy’: Bill to increase hazing penalty moves closer to final passage

Big Country News: Wellness phone app now available for Washington state law enforcement

KING5: Bill to strengthen hazing laws gets support, scrutiny during Senate hearing

KING5: Hazing was the ‘breaking point’ for WSU freshman who died by suicide, parents say

KING5: Bill to strengthen hazing laws gets support, scrutiny during Senate hearing

KNDO NBC: Bill to crack down on robocalls passes in Washington state House

The Seattle Times: Pass anti-hazing legislation to help save students’ lives

The Seattle Times: Increase the penalties for hazing and end the culture that took my son’s life

The Daily Evergreen: Increase in legal penalties for hazing reaches second bid

The Suburban Times: Legislation on illegal robocalls passes House Consumer Protection & Business Committee

The Suburban Times: Harrison Preparatory Student Completes House Page Program

KXLY: Heartbroken parents plea for more severe penalties for hazing

KING5: House committee debates bill that would increase penalty for hazing

KIRO7: Parents of student who died in hazing incident testify in hearing for new bill

KING5: Washington House bill to increase penalty for hazing under debate

Spokesman Review: Anti-hazing bill ‘Sam’s Law’ appears in the Washington House for the second year

The Seattle Times: WA attorney general pushes to strengthen laws against robocalls

KIMA: Washington AG proposes anti-robocall legislation to harshen punishment for scammers

NewsTalk 870 AM: Proposed Bill Would Greatly Enhance Robocall Penalties in WA

Communications Daily: Washington State AG Pushes Anti-Robocall Bill

Patch: Tougher Robocall Laws May Be Coming To Washington

The Chronicle: Attorney General Bob Ferguson Announces Partnership With State Representative on Bill Combatting Robocalls

KING5: Washington bill would ban robocallers from using fake caller ID, tapping Do Not Call Registry

Yahoo News: AG Ferguson pushes for change on state laws related to robocalls

KGMI: State AG wants to overhaul robocall laws

The Center Square: Proposed Washington law would hold carriers responsible for knowingly transmitting robocalls

KHQ – Attorney General Bob Ferguson plans to introduce Robocall Protection Act

KUOW: Washington lawmakers to target robocalls, spam in 2023 legislative session

FOX 28 Spokane: Attorney General, Seattle-area state legislator propose law to crack down on robocalls

News Tribune: DUI limits, prison wages and abortion are already on the docket for 2023 WA legislature

Q13: Inslee signs law intended to reduce hazing incidents after WSU freshman’s death

KREM2: ‘I miss Sam every day’: Sam Martinez’s mother reacts as Inslee signs Sam’s Law into effect

The Olympian: Inslee signs law intended to reduce hazing incidents

Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Washington Senate unanimously passes anti-hazing bill

Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Anti-hazing advocates hopeful for Sam’s Law

KUOW: Their son died in a hazing incident at WSU. They’ve since worked to change Washington’s laws around hazing

KING5: ‘Sam would be proud’: anti-hazing ‘Sam’s Law’ passes unanimously

Seattle Times: Anti-hazing bill ‘Sam’s Law’ inches closer to passing WA Legislature focusing on education, transparency

Lewiston Tribune: Anti-hazing advocates hopeful for Sam’s Law measure

Spokesman-Review: College hazing: Washington House OKs bill to bolster education and reporting of ‘barbaric acts’

The Guardian: ‘We have to adapt’: US Pacific north-west weighs plans to cope with extreme weather

News Tribune: Bills addressing college hazing in Washington moving through state Legislature

Seattle Times: Grieving WA family pushing for bills that would toughen penalties for hazing

KING 5-TV: Here are some of the bills Washington legislators are hoping to pass next session

Wahkiakum County Eagle: Families press for end to hazing

Columbia Basin Herald: Legislators consider bill to crack down on hazing

Peninsula Daily News: Bill aims to help homeless community college students

Spokesman-Review: After son’s death at WSU, family hopes loss leads to hazing legislation: ‘It’s to save a life for the one taken from us’

Northwest Public Broadcasting: Family of Sam Martinez back two anti-hazing bills in Washington

Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Initial testimony for anti-hazing bill set for today

KING-5 TV: State lawmakers consider two bills that would strengthen penalties for hazing-related deaths

Columbia Basin Herald: Bills could improve extreme weather response

Kitsap Daily News: Bill aims to help homeless and former foster care college students

State of Reform: Prefiled bills that we’re watching – State of Reform

Geekwire: AWS and Washington state launch cloud training, but educators have big questions about rollout

Kitsap Sun: Legislative proposals would pay off the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and remove tolling early

Washington State Wire: Leavitt, Caldier introduce bill to help foster and homeless college students

Suburban Times: CPSD Hosts Washington State Representatives Leavitt and Bronoske for Facility Tour

News Tribune: Folks aren’t happy that Inslee’s pause of COVID rollbacks came too late for Pierce County

News Tribune Editorial: Showing some spine: On capital gains tax, two Pierce County Democrats break ranks

Patch.com: Lakewood Receives $3.7 Million For Quality Of Life Projects

Suburban Times: City of Lakewood secures $3.7 million in capital funding from state legislature

Suburban Times: Governor signs Leavitt bill expanding assistance programs for struggling college students

Suburban Times: Leavitt bill to expand education opportunities for incarcerated people passes state House

Trains.com: Washington state House passes rail oversight bill

Suburban Times: Leavitt rail safety bill passes state House

Suburban Times: State House passes Leavitt’s workforce training bill

Suburban Times: Leavitt bill to help struggling families passes state House

The UW Daily: Prison education bill seeks to provide second — and first — chances to Washington’s incarcerated

Suburban Times: Representative Mari Leavitt Announces 2021 Legislative Priorities

The News Tribune: Time’s up for students’ pandemic meal money, but most in WA haven’t enrolled

The News Tribune: Cocktails to-go? Tacoma officials push state to loosen regulations during coronavirus

Tacoma Weekly: Kilduff and Leavitt team up to push for rail safety

Suburban Times: Leavitt Passes New Bills to Assist Military Families

Seattle Times: Creation of state Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention awaits Inslee’s signature

Suburban Times: Kilduff and Leavitt team up to push for rail safety

Tacoma Weekly: Leavitt passes cost of living increase for retirees 

Tacoma Weekly: Leavitt’s online privacy for minors bill passes House

Suburban Times: Leavitt Passes Cost of Living Increase for Retirees

Suburban Times: Leavitt’s Washington Online Privacy for Minors Bill Passes House

Suburban Times: Leavitt Rail Safety Governance Bill Passes House

The UW Daily: Legislature looks to require total cost of degree on college acceptance letters

The News Tribune (Editorial Board): Schools don’t have to track youth head injuries in Washington. Two Pierce County legislators want to change that

Seattle Times: Washington school leaders are worried about students’ mental health. Now lawmakers are proposing fixes

FOX 21: Hospitality Supports Bill Requiring Human Trafficking Prevention Training

Seattle Times: Last year, Washington lawmakers made college free for some. This year, they want to make it more accessible.

Suburban Times: Representative Mari Leavitt Announces 2020 Legislative Priorities

Seattle Times: If you’re couch surfing and disabled, the state can reduce your cash assistance. But that could change.

The News Tribune: Letter to the editor from Rep. Leavitt: College: Financial aid form is key to success

Suburban Times: Rep. Leavitt says we can do better for our soldiers, veterans and their families

Patch.com: Veteran Reforms A Priority, Says Rep. Leavitt

KING 5 TV: Washington National Guard joins statewide training to fight wildfires

Suburban Times: New Accreditation Standards for Dual Enrollment Courses Signed into Law

Suburban Times: New State Transportation Budget to Improve I-5, DuPont-Steilacoom Road and more

Suburban Times: Pierce County Scores Big with Construction Budget Projects

Patch.com: Pierce County Benefits From State Budget Plan

The News Tribune: Editorial: Duty calls for Washington lawmakers to serve military families and veterans

Suburban Times: Leavitt Welcomes Service Members for 111th Anniversary of U.S. Army Reserve

KING 5: Washington National Guard firefighting pay raise

Suburban Times: Leavitt Law to Increase National Guard Pay for Wildland Fire Response Signed by Governor

Suburban Times: Affordable Housing Sales Tax Exemption Passes Legislature

Patch.com: UP Reps Set Date For Inaugural ‘Coffee & Conversations’

Suburban Times: Leavitt Bill to Fund PERS 1 COLA Included in House Budget

Suburban Times: Leavitt Passes First Bill Increasing National Guard Pay for Wildland Fire Response

Kirkland Reporter: National Guard could see pay bump for wildfire response

The News Tribune: Editorial: 890 assaults against staff, 9 months, 1 hospital. That’s intolerable. This small step could help

Suburban Times: Leavitt Introduces Legislation to Address Violence at State Hospitals

Suburban Times: Kilduff, Leavitt to host Telephone Town Hall, Feb. 20

Suburban Times: Kilduff, Leavitt Introduce Package of Bills to Address Public Safety

Army.mil: Proposed state legislation could provide Guardsmen equal pay during state activations

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS): Proposed state legislation could provide Guardsmen equal pay during state activations

Suburban Times: Rep. Leavitt Appointed Vice Chair of College & Workforce Development