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Tuesday, March 10

Could WA ‘millionaires tax’ lead to capital flight? Here’s what experts say
Rep. April Berg, who authored a Ferguson-endorsed striking amendment to Washington’s proposed tax, said in a Friday call that she doesn’t think the measure will result in capital flight. She said the bill is a boon for small businesses, including by boosting the state’s business and occupation tax return filing threshold to $250,000. The Mill Creek Democrat said that amounts to a 49% increase in the number of businesses that will no longer pay B&O taxes. Continue reading at the Bellingham Herald. (TVW)

Bill that would strengthen standards for WA sheriffs headed to governor
Lovick, a former state trooper who served as Snohomish County sheriff from 2007 to 2013, said he was “proud” of the passage and grateful to his colleagues for their work on the legislation. “This legislation is about accountability and public safety,” he said in an emailed statement Monday. “Communities will be able to trust that their law enforcement leaders are highly prepared and held to the same standards of conduct and accountability as every other officer in our state.” Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

Nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers to gain state protections in WA
Sponsored by Rep. Brianna Thomas, D-West Seattle, House Bill 2355 enshrines protections for workers such as nannies, housekeepers and gardeners, who work four or more hours a month. “This industry was born out of slavery and indentured servitude and today we say no more,” Thomas told the crowd. “We say we matter, we’re here and we deserve the same protections as anyone else.” Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Aspen Ford)

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Axios
Washington Legislature passes police face mask ban aimed at ICE agents (Valdez, Cortes, J.)

Bellingham Herald
Could WA ‘millionaires tax’ lead to capital flight? Here’s what experts say (Ormsby, Berg, Pedersen)

Everett Herald
Community Transit earns “Salmon-Safe” certification
Bill could allow walk-on ferry service in Everett, statewide (Nance, Liias)
Everett mayor talks annexation, stadium at keynote speech
Editorial: Refit two retired ferries during wait for new boats (Liias)
Editorial: Protect state climate act’s funds for intended uses (Robinson)

Kitsap Sun
Central Kitsap Food Bank adapting to market with online store plan

News Tribune
WA Supreme Court is getting a new justice. Who did the governor pick?
Students who allege abuse at closed private school sue WA education agency

Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA expands its ban on noncitizen lending
Boeing expected to reach deal for 500 Max jets
Feds outline process to refund $166B in tariffs
Seattle-area housing market no longer favors sellers
Comment: Seattle doesn’t need another layer of taxes
Bellevue looks to fast-track ‘middle housing’ construction
Why BofA is betting on Seattle’s burgeoning nuclear energy sector

Seattle Times
WA House heads toward final vote on ‘millionaires tax’ (Mena, Fitzgibbon)
WA judges say threats against them are at an all-time high
WA income tax plan drops public defense for cities, counties (Berg, Pedersen)
WA police mask ban approved by lawmakers, heads to governor (Valdez)
Governor appoints WA’s newest Supreme Court justice amid turnover
Bill that would strengthen standards for WA sheriffs headed to governor (Lovick, Goodman)

Spokesman Review
Gov. Bob Ferguson appoints seasoned litigator to state Supreme Court

Tri-City Herald
Nearly all WA lawmakers support bill to make deadly Tri-City highway safer

Washington Post
Iran war’s oil-price shock fuels GOP political anxiety
Oil prices seesaw as Trump sends mixed messages on what’s next in Iran
FDA scales back vision for drug it touted as possible treatment for autism

WA State Standard
Seattle litigator appointed to Washington Supreme Court
First grants awarded under WA’s new $100M police hiring program
Nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers to gain state protections in WA (Thomas, Saldaña)

Broadcast

KXLY (ABC)
Washington vape shops struggle with 95% nicotine tax as customers flee to Idaho
Washington state senator faces backlash for using disability slur during floor debate

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Court extends water adjudication filing deadline
Abolishing salary commissions stunts public oversight

MyNorthwest
Governor Ferguson signs domestic workers bill of rights (Thomas, Saldaña)
Washington State Supreme Court will soon have first justice of Middle Eastern descent

The Stranger
Opinion: We Can’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Vulnerable Communities

The Urbanist
Seattle City Attorney Says ‘Tough-on-Crime’ Predecessor Left Big Case Backlog

West Seattle Blog
Here’s why Metro hasn’t issued a reroute advisory about northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge closure
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday, second day of northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge closure
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: New survey about station-area planning – for two stations, and neighborhoods beyond

Monday, March 9

Latest version of Washington state’s proposed ‘millionaires tax’ has Gov. Bob Ferguson’s support
Rep. April Berg (D-Mill Creek) brought the amendments forward, and said they were a result of conversations had with legislators in both the House and the Senate, along with the governor. “[We had] lots of good, good conversations about how to provide the most fair and progressive tax code for Washingtonians, but also how to help our families with everyday issues like affordability,” Berg said. Continue reading at KUOW. (Juan Pablo Chiquiza)

Will WA tap $3 billion from firefighter, police pension funds? Here’s the plan
House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon has said that it makes sense to look to the fund’s surplus for one-time assistance with the state’s budget woes, according to The Seattle Times. “We think that that could go a long way towards improving our state’s fiscal situation,” the West Seattle Democrat said. Continue reading at The Olympian. (The Olympian)

Fee on health insurers to fund abortion services debated in WA Legislature
Insurers in Washington could soon need to foot the bill for additional abortion funding. A proposal under consideration in the state Legislature would require health carriers with insurance plans offered on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange to pay a tax. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (McKenzie Romero)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Gas prices in the Grays Harbor region have jumped nearly a dollar

Axios
Revised Washington millionaire’s tax wins Ferguson’s support

Bellingham Herald
86-bed facility for adults with behavioral health issues opening in Bellingham

Bothell-Kenmore Reporter
School districts selected to receive a State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence

Columbian
Demand for unemployment benefits rising in Washington

The Daily News
Wilson’s kit housing bill passes both chambers unanimously
Investment companies block access to tens of thousands of acres in Wahkiakum County
German royalty controls 7% of Wahkiakum County. Here’s what that means for hunting access.

International Examiner
Community honors Day of Remembrance in Puyallup and NW Detention Center, calls for action
Activists raise the alarm about surveillance, displacement, fiscal responsibility around upcoming FIFA World Cup in Seattle

Kitsap Sun
USS Nimitz departs Bremerton for the last time
Column: Not in my backyard? Data on shelters doesn’t back that up

News Tribune
Puyallup says federal funds will help pay for $6.4 million festival street
Gig Harbor seeks more leeway over development just outside city borders
What to know about the process of forming a new county in Washington state
Governor will sign new ‘millionaires tax’ proposal, he says. Here’s what changed (Berg)

New York Times
Consumers Paid Tariffs on Overseas Items. Now They Want a Refund.

Seattle Times
WA gas prices hit $4.63, up more than 25 cents in a week
WA ‘millionaires tax’ proposal haunted by 1933 court decision

South Seattle Emerald
Seattle, King County Leaders Promise Climate Action — Accountability Next

Spokesman Review
Spokane’s median household income tops U.S. for first time. What’s happening?
Proposed state spending cuts to child care subsidies would ‘gouge’ industry across the state (Gregerson)
Lawmakers voted two years ago to bar an income tax. Now, many Democrats have changed their minds (Riccelli, Fitzgibbon, Berg)
A family grieves amid pedestrian safety improvements at an intersection where their daughter was killed
Opinion: Comprehensive energy permitting reform is essential for meeting Washington’s clean-energy goals
Sen. Leonard Christian does not apologize as fellow lawmakers and advocates condemn his remarks on disabled people
Stevens County ambulance system continues to navigate financial strains with no changes in sight: ‘Something has to be done’

Washington Post
After slashing federal jobs, Trump administration ramps up hiring
Markets drop over oil price fears as analysts warn of gas reaching $4 a gallon
ICE holding center to be run by defense contractor with no experience detaining migrants

WA State Standard
Data center tax break close to getting zapped by WA Legislature (Frame, Berg, Scott)
Automated license plate reader regulations close to becoming WA law (Salahuddin, Thomas)
Fee on health insurers to fund abortion services debated in WA Legislature
WA GOP lawmakers press schools chief on gender identity disclosure policies
Judge blocks Portland ICE facility agents from using tear gas leaking into nearby apartments

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gas prices rise again as Iran conflict escalates; one gallon could reach $4 average this week
‘We knew this was a problem’: City of Pacific calls for long-term solutions after 2009, 2025 floods
Hundreds rally against millionaires tax and Democrat-backed legislation at Washington State Capitol

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Live Nation, DOJ reach settlement in antitrust case
Is homeownership only for the wealthy? Seattle buyers now need $182K income , study finds

KUOW Public Radio
Report finds King County jail used excessive force, submitted faulty investigation
How Washington’s Legislature has responded to Trump as session hurdles toward close
Latest version of Washington state’s proposed ‘millionaires’ tax’ has Gov. Bob Ferguson’s support (Berg)

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane adds 12% tax to commercial parking lots

NW Public Radio
Winter grain mites are creating havoc in Washington fields
Grit City doubles the amount of public garbage bins in effort to tidy up Tacoma

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Error left Samish tribe forgotten for decades. They rebuilt from ‘ground zero’
WTA’s Board wants more bus service in populous areas. What it means for riders

Cascade PBS
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson puts her affordability agenda to the test
WATCH: From long-time progressive organizer to Seattle’s 58th mayor

The Urbanist
Mosquito Fleet Act Runs Into Choppy Seas in the State Senate (Nance, Liias)

Washington Observer
A nod to budget sustainability
Rounding up votes on the income tax (Reeves, Leavitt, Timmons, Shewmake, Paul, Shavers, Walen, Springer, Salahuddin, Nance, Hansen)

West Seattle Blog
WEEK AHEAD: Police chief promises ‘conversation’ at West Seattle meeting
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday, first day of northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge closure
CLOSURE REMINDER: Northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge to close Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Friday, March 6

Automated license plate reader regulations close to becoming WA law
Senate Bill 6002 responds to concerns over federal immigration agents accessing data collected by the devices, and general fears over widespread surveillance. Cities across Washington have started to use the cameras, usually from the company Flock, as an added tool to solve crimes. At least 16 other states regulate the readers. “Right now, this is the wild West,” said Rep. Osman Salahuddin, D-Redmond. Perhaps the most significant change approved Thursday deals with when police departments can use these cameras. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Quentin Young)

WA proposal aimed at opening up mental health care in trades industry
House Bill 2492, passed with bipartisan support on Feb. 28, requires that all state-registered apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades offer at least two hours of behavioral health and wellness training starting in July of 2027…Rep. Greg Nance, D-Bainbridge Island, the bill’s prime sponsor, said tradesworkers are facing record levels of depression, substance abuse and overdoses. The legislation, he argues, will ensure they have the skills to recognize stressors and behavioral health issues before they become a crisis. Continue reading at Kitsap Sun. (Courtesy Greg Nance)

WA approves bill requiring landlords to disclose flood risk to renters
The Washington Legislature passed a bill Tuesday requiring landlords to disclose if a rental property is at risk for flooding and recommend tenants consider buying flood insurance…Unlike some states, including Oregon, California and Texas, Washington only required flood risk disclosures in home sales — not in rental leases…Bateman said she was unaware that Washington lacked such a requirement before reading The Times’ reporting and described what happened to renters as tragic. “This is just one way that we can help give people information and increase transparency,” she said. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Fish passage work underway along SR 109 near Taholah

Axios
Mayor calls for action on homelessness: 1,000 shelter units proposed

Capital Press
Wildfire forecasters remain concerned as snowpack lags
Washington Democrats turn more power over to attorney general (Farivar, Taylor)
‘Skinny’ farm bill passes House Ag Committee at critical time for producers

The Daily News
Funding gap may shutter three Peninsula campgrounds
Cause of homelessness comes from many factors, speakers say

Everett Herald
State cuts could reduce local dual-credit programs
State grant exceeds expectations, funds more public defenders

International Examiner
Drawing parallels to EO 9066, activists protest ICE deportation flights out of Boeing Field

Islands’ Weekly
Bill would ban some school isolation, restraint (Callan)

Kitsap Sun
WA proposal aimed at opening up mental health care in trades industry (Nance)

News Tribune
Opinion: Lawmakers should put ‘millionaires tax’ on hold (Pedersen)
Washington AGO-requested bill faces criticism in hearing
Opinion: Washington’s trust lands exist to fund our public schools
Pierce County island residents without solution after gas station closes
No more timed entry at Mount Rainier. What will that mean for lines, parking?
‘We can move boldly.’ Ibsen delivers first state of city address as Tacoma mayor
Tacoma nonprofit leader sought public funds for her business. State pushed back
AG: Company to pay $5.6M for pregnancy discrimination in Puyallup and across WA
Opinion: Measuring poverty on a spectrum instead of an arbitrary line conveys a more accurate picture of inequality
Opinion: Public health needs steady budgets – and federal funding uncertainty cause real harms, even if the money is later restored

New York Times
U.S. Gas Prices, Up 11% in a Week, Pile Pressure on Trump
Nature Report, Killed by Trump, Is Released Independently
Live Updates: U.S. Employers Cut Jobs in Sign of a Shakier Economy
Casey Means, Critic of Mainstream Medicine, Poised to Become Nation’s Top Doctor

Olympian
Controversy over changes to investigative power is ‘kind of silly,’ WA AG says (Springer, Walen, Hackney, Farivar, Trudeau, Obras, Bronoske, Rule)

Seattle Times
WA legislators vote to prohibit microchipping of workers (Saldana, Thomas)
WA GOP senator uses slur on Senate floor, doubles down (Frame, Trudeau)
Mercer Island School District faces $13.4M sex abuse claim
NAMI’s Washington state chapter dissolves amid ‘grievances’
Opinion: The felt economy is all too real, especially in Washington
WA approves bill requiring landlords to disclose flood risk to renters (Bateman)
Editorial: For WA income tax, power’s in the hands of pragmatic Democrats (Pedersen, Jinkins)

Spokesman Review
Opinion: Washington’s new nicotine tax is bad for public health, small businesses and the state
Spokane Valley Sen. Leonard Christian draws rebuke over ‘inflaming’ remarks in floor speech (Riccelli, Frame, Trudeau)
Washington lawmakers consider diverting public charter school funding to preschool, traditional public schools (Wellman)
After SCOTUS decision against California transgender student law, Washington Republicans cast doubt on state policy
Trump’s firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem draws bipartisan support from Washington’s congressional delegation
As national debt nears $39 trillion and Trump promises to balance budget, Americans spend more on interest payments than on defense

Tri-City Herald
‘Unprecedented’ 4th drought year. What it means for Tri-Cities water users

Washington Post
Strict new Kansas law forces trans drivers to hand over their licenses
Housing is so expensive that people earning $200,000 qualify for help
Virginia moves to forbid schools from teaching that Jan. 6 was peaceful
U.S. labor market lost 92,000 jobs in February, a warning flag for the economy

WA State Standard
WA senator refuses to apologize for inflammatory remark (Frame, Pedersen)
Automated license plate reader regulations close to becoming WA law (Salahuddin, Thomas)
Small WA city reports $330K of funds lost after scammers impersonate insurer
Demolition of last Northwest aluminum smelter signals end of an industrial era

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘Ulcer gulch’ grows as legislative deadline looms in Olympia
Seattle City Council pushes back on immigration enforcement
Seattle commuters ask for express lane relief as Revive I-5 snarls southbound traffic
‘We’re scared’: Friends who witnessed teen’s stabbing speak out after suspect released
Claim: Washington DOL left ‘back door’ security flaw open for years that let identity thieves change addresses, order licenses in bulk to one location

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Amazon cutting 49K desks, office space as company funnels billions into AI
Seattle’s Real Time Crime Center triples arrest odds, according to police review

KUOW Public Radio
Washington joins 24-state lawsuit seeking to block Trump’s latest tariffs

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane organization receives grant to support maternal mental health
Families, seniors and service workers could see bigger tax refunds this year

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham landlords critique new regulations in city survey
Opinion: Bloated public salaries? Blame unelected salary commissions

Cascade PBS
WATCH: How WA deals with the quiet, widespread crime of wage theft

InvestigateWest
Former student files $13.4 million claim against Mercer Island School District over alleged teacher sexual abuse

MyNorthwest
State senator uses offensive term for developmentally disabled people (Frame)
WA bill that could remove elected sheriffs clears House on party-line vote (Lovick)
Amazon cutting 49K desks, office space as company funnels billions into AI
Income tax on millionaires faces uncertain future as WA legislature enters final days
EPA announces settlement for $668M cleanup of Seattle’s Lower Duwamish Waterway

The Urbanist
Opinion: Finding Smart Solutions to Sound Transit Budget Woes

Washington Observer
Housing bills on the move (Alvarado, Pedersen)
Local governments quietly grumble over a voting rights win (Mena, Hill)

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Friday + ‘spring forward’ weekend info
FOLLOWUP: What more to know about northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge’s upcoming closures, including detour plans

Thursday, March 5

Cigarette tax hike still in play as WA legislative session wanes
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, told House lawmakers Wednesday that she “would like to tax all nicotine products equitably. And I believe that the bill does that to the best of our ability,” she told the House Finance Committee. “I hope that we will discourage youth from initiating using nicotine products. As we know, that is an increasing public health issue. Nicotine is not good for young brains and I hope that we can all agree that it’s a good goal for us to try to discourage youth from getting addicted.” Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Douglas Sacha)

If Ferguson agrees, your boss in Washington state won’t be able to microchip you
Ahead of final passage, state Sen. Rebecca Saldana, D-Seattle, said the bill “simply says ‘do not chip me.’” “This is a preventative measure, as far as we can tell,” Saldana said Wednesday. “But we do know there are folks choosing to have microchips implanted in other instances. And so, this is just simply protecting employees’ right to protection of their bodies.” Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Jonathan Brunt)

Clock ticks on WA income tax proposal amid Democratic divisions
In an earlier conversation with reporters, Jinkins said members’ concerns vary. Some oppose an “income tax no matter what.” Others want more tax relief and some want greater investments in services before signing off in favor. “We have members who are all in different places; we’re just going to have to figure out where our common ground is,” she said. “I feel pretty good about being able to do that.” Jinkins added that it is important for members to talk about what their issues are so that the bill can be changed in a way that they would support.
Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Maddy Grassy)

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Auburn Reporter
Grant to support Special Olympics bocce in Auburn

Axios
Washington weighs cash rounding as pennies fade
Washington still switching clocks as B.C. moves on

Bellingham Herald
Drought continues in Whatcom County despite heavy rain, floods in December
Is Washington state still observing daylight saving time? When do clocks change?

The Daily News
Cowlitz County looks to foster homes to handle stray animals
Kelso votes down adding 1 police officer; plans to discuss at board retreat

Everett Herald
Evergreen State Fair receives capital improvement grant
Everett Public Schools sees more students taking AP classes
Comment: Charter schools are public schools; fund them as such

News Tribune
Opinion: This drug discount bill puts profits ahead of Washington patients
Tacoma council names new city manager, capping off series of leadership changes
Baby orca named for Olympia man who saved its relative from capture 50 years ago

New York Times
F.D.A. Faces Upset Over Denials of New Drugs
‘No Tax on Overtime’ Isn’t All It Seems for Some Workers

Northwest Asian Weekly
New report: ICE arrests of AAPIs are four times higher under Trump

Olympian
Is Washington state still observing daylight saving time? When do clocks change?

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle leads nation in containing urban sprawl

Seattle Times
WA voters to see ballot initiative aimed at trans girls in sports
Seattle could see more tiny home villages under mayor’s proposal
Clock ticks on WA income tax proposal amid Democratic divisions (Fitzgibbon, Pedersen, Walen, Richards, Springer, Simmons, Goodman, Shavers, Jinkins)
Zahilay creates new King County auditor position and oversight controls
Opinion: Social housing isn’t delivering on its promises. But it’s not too late
Editorial: Mayor Katie Wilson should reconsider firing of Seattle City Light’s leader

Spokesman Review
Spokane Valley bans kratom following Spokane ban
Washington Legislature passes ban on law enforcement wearing masks (Obras, Cortes)
Opinion: Federal voting rights protections still needed, even in Washington
If Ferguson agrees, your boss in Washington state won’t be able to microchip you (Saladana, Thomas)
North Carolina public health officer hired to run Spokane Regional Health District
WA Senate approves bill to give energy-generating trash incinerator more time to reduce emissions (Riccelli)

Washington Post
Plans for ICE detention center spark anger in deep-red Maryland county
Trump unveils data center pledge amid voter backlash to high utility bills
Democrat’s plan would eliminate federal income taxes for half of U.S. workers

WA State Standard
Cigarette tax hike still in play as WA legislative session wanes (Robinson, Lovelett, Hasegawa, Cortes, Kauffman)
Holdout Democrats leave WA House support for income tax in doubt (Reeves, Richards, Walen, Entenman, Leavitt)
WA takes another step to link its carbon market with California and Quebec

Broadcast

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Sound Transit ramps up efforts to prevent copper wire theft
Mayor Wilson announces shelter plan, avoids questions on details
WA Dept. of Licensing responds to Spanish accent ‘glitch’ shown in viral TikTok
House passes bill banning masks for police, federal agents; governor expected to sign

KNKX Public Radio
Bill barring law enforcement from wearing masks inches closer to becoming Washington law (Valdez, Ortiz-Self)

KUOW Public Radio
33 charged in occupation and vandalism of UW engineering building
Starbucks to relocate supply chain workers from HQ to new Nashville office
LISTEN: From Control F: The weird way we decide who sits below the poverty line
In Seattle, 9th Circuit judges consider Trump policy of mandatory immigrant detentions

KXLY (ABC)
EWU announces dorm project to replace 61-year-old Dryden Hall

NW Public Radio
Hanford contractor agrees to pay settlement for overcharging workers’ hours

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Puget Sound Energy proposes more power rate increases
Flooded coal mine under Bellingham could become heat source for college
Bellingham officials hear neighbors’ fears about Walmart encampment during heated meeting

InvestigateWest
Idaho lawmakers move to close gap in prison sex abuse law

MyNorthwest
WA Dept. of Licensing responds to Spanish accent ‘glitch’ shown in viral TikTok
House passes bill banning masks for police, federal agents; governor expected to sign (Cortes, Ortiz-Self, Paul)
Lawsuit over denied WA Capitol press credentials for conservative media personalities moves to federal court

The Stranger
Slog AM: Republicans Want Unconstitutional War, Mayor Wilson Wants 1,000 Shelter Units, and Dems Argue Over Millionaires’ Tax

The Urbanist
WSDOT Advances Plan to Tame I-90 Ramps at Judkins Park Station
Opinion: Why Seattle Neighborhood Greenways Is Rebranding as Seattle Streets Alliance

Wednesday, March 4

Ban on police face coverings in WA nears final passage in Legislature
Senate Bill 5855 would bar all law enforcement officers in Washington from masking while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover operatives, personal protective equipment and bicycle or motorcycle helmets…“This policy is about accountability,” said Rep. Julio Cortes, D-Everett. “It affirms a simple principle that when law enforcement officers are exercising their authority in public-facing duties, that public has the right to know who is policing them.” Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Minnesota Reformer)

King County bans immigration detention facilities, joining other Western Washington cities
Joining other local governments across Washington state, King County has issued an emergency moratorium on new detention facilities being built or expanded in unincorporated King County. That means potentially less land for the federal government to consider as it tries to expand immigrant lock-ups under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)

WA governor: Passage of income tax could slip to 2027
Late Tuesday, the chair of the House Finance Committee said the bill has a “strong path forward.” “I am confident we will have a bill in front of the governor to sign by the end of session,” said Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek. There will be changes from the version passed by the House committee, she said. Those could be available later this week. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Bill Lucia)