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Wednesday, April 19

State Senate backs ban on sale of assault-style weapon, again

For the second time in 10 days, the state Senate has approved legislation aimed at banning the sale of assault-style weapons. The Democrat-controlled Senate on Tuesday passed House Bill 1240 banning the manufacture, distribution and sale of certain semiautomatic firearms on a nearly party-line 28-21 vote. Senators spent nearly 3½ hours debating and passing the measure the day before Easter, then sent it to the House for final action. But the House didn’t concur, ruling changes made by the Senate out of order and sending it back — prompting Tuesday’s redux. This time, majority Democrats rejected every amendment proposed by Republican senators including removing the emergency clause, the presence of which prevents a referendum. Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Rich Predroncelli)

Bill offers added protections for personal health care data

A bill intended to close the gap on health data privacy protections, provide people with more control of their health care data, and protect those who come from out of state to access reproductive and gender-affirming care has passed the state legislature. The vote follows a Northwest Progressive Institute poll that showed 76% of Washingtonians support stronger privacy protections for their health data. “Websites, apps, and health tracking devices lack the basic protections we’ve come to expect when sharing our personal health data,” Rep. Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue), the House sponsor, said. “There is no way to consent or even know about it. We must protect the data of Washingtonians and all who travel here.” Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Getty Images)

Bill to raise real estate tax ‘absolutely’ still alive in Olympia

Another proposal to allow cities and counties to raise the property tax appears dead for the year, according to Sen. Jamie Pedersen. With five days left in the legislative session, one of two new tax proposals is still under consideration, according to state Democratic Rep. April Berg. “That bill is absolutely still alive,” said Berg. Berg’s bill would raise Washington state’s real estate excise tax for some home sellers. The bill would allow local jurisdictions to raise the rate paid by home sellers by .25 percent and the rate would be increased half a percentage point on the sale of homes worth more than $3.025 million. Continue reading at KING5.

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Axios
Seattle joins nation’s first statewide tree canopy collaboration
King County ranks as second healthiest county statewide
Washington state is fighting obesity, like the rest of the nation

Capital Press
Inslee OKs solar projects in county despite moratorium (Fitzgibbon)
Taxes on table as Washington legislative session nears end (Pedersen, Chopp)

Columbian
Group urges Clark County to include climate action in growth management plan (Duerr)
Financial plan: I-5 Bridge to open in 2033, light rail could run during construction
La Center gender policy focus of probe by state

Everett Herald
Lynnwood council bans new drug treatment centers for 6 months
State Senate backs ban on sale of assault-style weapon, again (Kuderer, Van De Wege)
License plates advance recognizing pickleball, Mount St. Helens (Lovick)
Comment: State’s climate investments should start with kids
Letter: House Bill 1110 would aid affordable housing
Editorial: Lawmakers’ focus on housing must bring efforts home (Berg)

Kitsap Sun
Olympic College revamps welding facility, aimed at a workforce need in Kitsap’s economy

News Tribune
Trucking data shows the drive past the Tacoma Dome, once a nightmare, is getting better
Family wins appeal for full $98.5M from state on behalf of Susan Cox Powell’s sons

Olympian
WA had second-highest vehicle theft rate in U.S. for 2022. What cars were stolen the most?

Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington champions biofuel production for aviation
WA reforms builders’ bugaboo: the capricious design review process
How Seattle became an ideal landing spot for space companies

Seattle Medium
Senate OKs Bill Allowing Duplexes, Fourplexes In Washington (Trudeau)
Funding Cuts Could Negatively Impact Empowerment Program For Young Girls
Seattle’s It’s Never 2 Early 2 Create & Innovate Plaza Seeks To Empower Young Black Entrepreneurs
Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee Members Announced For Urban Unincorporated Areas Of King County

Seattle Times
Several problems likely to blame in WA ferry grounding
This WA tax credit could give you free money. If you sign up.
Seattle City Council approves $10 late fee cap for renters
Should drugs be a crime anymore? Seattle mayor says he’s conflicted
Two WA men charged with ‘straw purchasing’ more than 100 guns
WA bill to ban harmful chemicals in cosmetics hits Gov. Inslee’s desk (Mena)
Supreme Court poised to rule on abortion pill restrictions

Spokesman Review
Budget committee weighs Inslee’s plan to stockpile abortion medicine (Ormsby)
Washington may change real estate excise taxes to build affordable housing (Jinkins)
Opinion: We need more leaders, advocates for our rich natural resources legacy (Chapman, Lekanoff)

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Community suggests cultural diversity, flexibility for WWCC

Yakima Herald-Republic
Residents moved out of homeless encampment on Yakama Reservation
Editorial: No one wants to hear the answer to homelessness

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Bill to raise real estate tax ‘absolutely’ still alive in Olympia (Pedersen, Berg)
Bill protecting Southern Resident orcas passes State House, Senate (Lekanoff)
Identity theft is prolific and growing in western Washington
Capitol Hill synagogue vandalized with antisemitic graffiti
More than 100 people in King County facing displacement after shelter program funding dries up

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Inslee signs bill aimed to crack down on illegal pill press operations (Leavitt)

KUOW Public Radio
Could an aging WA fleet lead to more ferry mishaps?
Washington lawmakers pass modifications to controversial police pursuit law (Lovick)

NW Public Radio
School upgrade projects in Kelso are nearing completion, officials say

Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington bill to allow transgender interventions on minors without parental consent (Liias, Senn)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Education bills will expand free meals, special ed funding

Crosscut
WA may end mandatory sentencing points based on juvenile convictions (Hackney)
New law prepares Washington for interstate cannabis sales (Saldana, Keiser, Shewmake)
Without affirmative action, colleges face a tough path to diversity

MyNorthwest
Bill offers added protections for personal health care data (Slatter, Dhingra)

Tuesday, April 18

Washington Senate gives final OK to high-speed pursuit changes, moving bill to Inslee’s desk

Police officers would be able to use high-speed chases to pursue a greater array of suspects under a bill that received final approval by the Senate Monday. Under the proposal sent to Gov. Jay Inslee, police would need only “reasonable suspicion” rather than the stricter standard of “probable cause” to engage in a high-speed pursuit of someone suspected of certain crimes. Current law allows high-speed pursuits for certain violent offenses and sexual offenses. The proposal would add vehicular assaults and assaults involving domestic violence. The final version also requires the pursuing officer to have completed a special emergency vehicle operator’s course and be certified in certain pursuit tactics; notify a supervisor of the pursuit; and the officer, supervisor or an emergency dispatcher to develop a plan to end the pursuit as quickly as possible through other techniques, such as the deployment of tire deflation devices. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (James Camden)

Lawmakers vote to bar utilities from cutting power in extreme heat

House Bill 1329 passed the Senate last week and now awaits Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature, which may happen as soon as Thursday. It prohibits both public- and investor-owned electric and water utilities, and landlords, from shutting off power or water to residents who haven’t paid their bill if the National Weather Service has issued or intends to issue a heat-related warning. The bill also includes a reconnection provision, “so if someone has been unable to pay their utilities, and they become aware a heat wave is coming, they’ll be able to call and get reconnected,” said bill sponsor Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma. While moves were made to protect some vulnerable populations, the state doesn’t yet have specific air-conditioning requirements for adult family homes. A bill that would’ve provided small grants for those homes to install air conditioning died in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, said it wasn’t a priority for budget writers, but he plans to bring the bill back next year. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Daniel Kim)

After boat runs aground, renewed calls for newer Washington State Ferry vessels

The grounding of the Walla Walla ferry this weekend near Bainbridge Island is being attributed by some to Washington state’s aging fleet of vessels – an issue lawmakers are hoping to address with a new bill. Lawmakers like Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) are linking the grounding to the age of Washington’s ferry fleet. Fey’s bill HB 1846 would require the state department of transportation to contract at least two new vessels and open the bidding process to builders in other states. “In the current law we provide a national bid, there’s a 13% advantage to take into account the advantages of building it (in Washington) and the jobs that are created,” said Fey. HB 1846 passed through the House and the Senate. If the House agrees on amendments made to the bill, it will go to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk. Continue reading at KING5.

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Associated Press
Bill to set minimum marriage age to 18 stalls in Washington (Dhingra)

Axios
Seattle mayor’s order aims to curb fentanyl use

Bellingham Herald
‘I could be homeless.’ These Bellingham seniors fear being priced out of affordable homes

Columbian
WSDOT temporarily repairs hole on North Fork Lewis River Bridge on southbound I-5
Clark County Sheriff Horch: Police pursuit bill a ‘step in the right direction’
Vancouver launches solution-based Community Court
Opinion: In Our View: Homelessness, crime linked only by perception

The Daily News
Why the Lewis and Clark Bridge will close briefly on Sunday
Cryptocurrency miner pulls out of Mint Farm as Longview mulls regulation

Everett Herald
Police poised to regain ability to undertake more pursuits (Goodman, Dhingra)

News Tribune
Mayor Woodard: Tacoma is desperate for more affordable housing. To build it we need the state’s help

New York Times
F.D.A. Authorizes Another Covid Booster Shot for People Over 65
Biden to Sign Executive Order That Aims to Make Child Care Cheaper

Olympian
Port commission votes 2-1 to add Capitol Lake discussion to upcoming agenda
How is Thurston County addressing its public health challenges? New director speaks

Seattle Times
How fentanyl became Seattle’s most urgent public health crisis
Auto thefts up 73% in Seattle since start of the pandemic
Lawmakers vote to bar utilities from cutting power in extreme heat (Nguyen, Mena, Mullet)
WA lawmakers vote to ban single-use plastic in hotels, but fail to reform recycling (Mena, Doglio)
Editorial: WA lawmakers say tough luck to victims of catalytic converter theft
Opinion: Don’t shortchange the youngest Washingtonians with disabilities (Senn)

Sol De Yakima
Gobernador aprueba dos proyectos solares en el condado de Yakima

Spokesman Review
Washington Senate gives final OK to high-speed pursuit changes, moving bill to Inslee’s desk
Washington Senate balks at rules for clergy reporting child abuse (Frame, Kuderer)
New count of WA’s past heat wave deaths gives a ‘warning to the PNW’
Spokane schools’ use of restraints, isolation, violated civil rights of special needs students, DOJ says

Tri-City Herald
‘So many fragile families.’ End of pandemic housing aid has Tri-Cities bracing for the worst

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Advocate says changes to WA Death with Dignity law will help families

Yakima Herald-Republic
Governor approves two Yakima County solar projects

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
After boat runs aground, renewed calls for newer Washington State Ferry vessels (Fey)
Funding to shed more light on legislators up for debate (Hunt, Tharinger)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
State lawmakers approve bill that would lower requirements for police pursuits (Farivar)
Bill would safeguard runaway youth seeking gender-affirming, reproductive care at shelters (Liias)

KXLY (ABC)
Washington is still offering stipends to homeless-service workers
WA ends mandatory sentencing points based on juvenile convictions (Lekanoff, Jinkins)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
‘Instantly addicted:’ Fentanyl takes a deadly toll on Whatcom families

West Seattle Blog
Will captive Southern Resident orca Lolita/Tokitae come home?

Monday, April 17

State cementing its status as haven for abortion seekers, providers
In the coming weeks, Washington will cement its status as a haven for those seeking abortions and those performing them with new laws to expand patient access and bolster provider protections. The state is eliminating co-pays and deductible requirements for abortion, fortifying regulations to prevent release of private health data and blocking other states from disciplining doctors and nurses who provide reproductive health services and gender affirming care in line with Washington law. And, finally, the state is set to distribute the abortion pill mifepristone, the most common method of terminating pregnancy in Washington. Gov. Jay Inslee ordered the purchase last month of 30,000 doses, considered enough to cover demand for three years. Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island shared, “I don’t know of any other state that is acting as swiftly, creatively and aggressively to protect reproductive rights in the wake of the Dobbs decision.” Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Allen G. Breed)

WA lawmakers consider tax increases as session nears end
A state House panel voted Friday to raise an existing tax on sales of multimillion-dollar properties. The vote in the House Finance Committee to raise the state’s real estate excise tax on higher-end property sales was a sign that majority Democrats are weighing tax increases to boost spending on low-income housing to address the state’s homelessness crisis. Lawmakers are also considering a proposal to raise the decades-old 1% cap on the growth of property tax collections, which local government leaders have long criticized for constraining spending on public services. “In this moment, we have a very serious crisis with housing,” said Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, the Finance Committee chair. “And I believe this is a tool that we can use as a state to address it.” Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

Propuesta de ley de Saldaña que garantiza servicios de interpretación de alta calidad es firmada como ley
El gobernador Jay Inslee firmo una propuesta de ley que requiere un proceso de examen y certificación para las personas que brindan acceso lingüístico a los servicios estatales. La propuesta de ley 5304, patrocinada por la Senadora Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), es un paso importante para proveer servicios de interpretación de alta calidad para personas con dominio limitado del inglés, particularmente en entornos médicos. Varias agencias estatales utilizan intérpretes certificados por DSHS, incluida la Autoridad de Atención Médica para clientes de Medicaid, el Departamento de Labor e Industrias y el Departamento de Niños, Jóvenes y Familias. Continue reading at La Raza del Noroeste.

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Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen Parks director explains museum repair estimates
Riding off into the sunset

Axios
Abortions rise in Washington as Idaho cracks down

Columbian
Columbia River spring chinook run below average so far but peak still to come
Is homelessness a threat to public safety in Clark County?
Opinion: Confronting climate change can boost economy

The Daily News
State suspends license of Longview attorney, former Cowlitz County Court commissioner
Conference on ‘parents rights’ in schools spurs pushback from Cowlitz County locals
How push for renewable electricity in WA affects others

Everett Herald
New law lets Snohomish County pour millions into rental assistance (Robinson)
Climate change gets boost of attention from county planners
Compromise calls for honoring Chinese community each January (Santos, Jinkins, Kuderer)
Plan aims to restore ‘community’ to Community Transit bus service
State cementing its status as haven for abortion seekers, providers (Hansen, Keiser)
Opinion: Washington state a leader in ending silence of NDAs (Keiser, Berry)
Editorial: Four failed bills that merit second shot next year (Fey)

Kitsap Sun
Ferry Walla Walla runs aground in Rich Passage; Seattle-Bremerton service resumes Sunday

News Tribune
$8 million will fix this Gig Harbor salmon barrier. Construction may close Harborview Dr.

Olympian
WA governor has signed nearly 100 bills into law so far. Here are some of the key ones
Here are some of the key bills passed before this week’s cutoff date in the Legislature (Hansen, Bateman, Fey)
Bill to limit blinking red lights on wind turbines ready for WA Gov. Jay Inslee to sign (Kloba Liias)
Opinion: We should help our neighbors struggling with substance use, not jail them

Peninsula Daily News
Legislation eases rule on pursuit (Chapman, Tharinger, Rule, Hackney, Van De Wege)
Difference between reasonable suspicion, probable cause

Puget Sound Business Journal
In Olympia, builders harvest a bumper crop of pro-housing bills

Seattle Times
Seattle rally protesting abortion pill ruling marches through downtown
Minors can still get married in WA, though some want that to change (Stanford, Stonier, Dhingra)
WA lawmakers consider tax increases as session nears end (Pedersen, Berg, Walen, Randall, Jinkins, Billig)
Opinion: Post McCleary, WA school funding doesn’t add up
Editorial: Faith in government depends on keeping promises

Spokesman Review
Parents of runaway youth seeking gender-affirming or reproductive care wouldn’t be notified by shelter under bill approved in Washington Legislature (Liias)
We the People: Dueling abortion-pill rulings show expanding role of judicial branch

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Port of Walla Walla mulls second flight out of regional airport
Walla Walla Public Schools to bring new AI technology into classrooms

Yakima Herald-Republic
As Yakima Valley growers suffer from tariffs in India and China, other industries benefit

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
In Session: Washington state lawmakers have one week left to pass legislation (Berg, Goodman, Keiser)
Ferry refloated after running aground near Bainbridge Island, leaving over 600 stranded on board
Seattleites rally in support of abortion pill access ahead of Supreme Court decision (Keiser, Trudeau)
No, crime happening in Gig Harbor is not due to criminals from Tacoma

KUOW Public Radio
Week in Review: The Legislature, the Film Commission, and tiny shampoo bottles

KXLY (ABC)
“Move Over, Slow Down” campaign coming to Eastern Washington this week

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bills advance that favor police, housing density (Rule, Timmons, Ramel, Lekanoff, Shewmake)
Legislature passes several bills to support higher education
Debate about state’s salmon, trout hatcheries rages on
Officials break ground on waterfront affordable housing

MyNorthwest
Ferry run aground after suspected generator failure, boat refloated Sunday

La Raza del Noroeste
Propuesta de ley de Saldaña que garantiza servicios de interpretación de alta calidad es firmada como ley (Saldaña)

The Stranger
State Democrats Make Washington a Safe Haven for Abortion, Gender-Affirming Care (Hansen, Riccelli)

Friday, April 14

Washington lawmakers in final negotiations over budget, domestic violence funding
Organizations that provide services to crime victims are facing a 30% cut in federal funding. Those funds came from penalties levied from federal prosecutions — mostly white-collar crime. That pot has declined over the last several years, but this year the funding is taking a sudden dive, likely caused by pandemic disruptions. A coalition of organizations asked the state for a $132 million-dollar investment to cover the gap and address an increasing demand for services. Lawmakers are in final negotiations over a budget proposal that would replace lost funding. Ormsby said domestic violence service providers are among many organizations facing funding challenges after a drop in federal funds, or pandemic aid. Continue reading at Spokane Public Radio. (Flickr)

Legislation focused on safeguarding runaway youth seeking protected health services clears state House
Legislation focused on protecting youth seeking protected health services such as gender-affirming treatment and reproductive health care cleared the Washington state House on April 12. Senate Bill 5599 passed the House with a 57-39 vote, with two excused. If the bill receives final approval from Gov. Jay Inslee, licensed shelters for runaway or homeless youth would not need to contact a youth’s parents if there is a “compelling reason not to.” That includes a youth seeking protected health services. “If a young person is totally estranged with their parents, has no meaningful relationship. We need someone to care for that child and the way that legislation is set up is essentially the Department of Children Youth and Families will step into that position to care for that child so that you have somebody looking out for their benefit,” Inslee said. Continue reading at KING5.

With 10 days to go, some bills fall by the wayside in Olympia
After a series of late nights underneath the Capitol dome, and with about 10 days to go in the legislative session, state lawmakers have advanced significant policies including measures to ban assault weapons, give police more leeway to chase suspects and allow more multifamily housing. Many bills on high-profile issues like guns and abortion represent priorities for majority Democrats and Gov. Jay Inslee. As of Thursday, Inslee had signed 84 bills and was expected to sign another 14 on Friday. The governor’s office has estimated that there are about 465 bills total to act on, not including bills needed to put the budget into place. On Wednesday night, lawmakers hit a key late-session deadline, where most bills had to pass both the House and Senate by that evening to move forward. However, as those who have experienced a session or two know, nothing is ever truly dead until the Legislature adjourns. Their last day is April 23. Continue reading at Seattle Times.

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Capital Press
Proposed plant in Washington would get hydrogen from water

Columbian
I-5 Bridge tolling works way through Washington House (Wylie)

Everett Herald
Everett, first to sue opioid company, signs on to state settlements

News Tribune
Major overhaul of Tacoma site set to bring one-stop center for behavioral health services

New York Times
How electrification became a major tool for fighting climate change.
Biden Administration Asks Supreme Court to Restore Broad Availability of Abortion Pill

Olympian
Here are some of the key bills passed before this week’s cutoff date in the Legislature (Hansen, Bateman, Fey)

Peninsula Daily News
Letter: Keep it natural (Tharinger, Chapman, Van De Wege)

Puget Sound Business Journal
WA bill would increase real estate taxes to fund affordable housing

Seattle Medium
Cancer-Causing Pesticide Closes Washington Weed Businesses
Washington Students Walkout Against Guns

Seattle Times
Gov. Inslee, lawmakers quibble over WA transportation budget (Liias, Fey)
With 10 days to go, some bills fall by the wayside in Olympia (Jinkins)
Funding uncertain for WA program to remove homeless camps by highways

Skagit Valley Herald
County restarts rental assistance with new state funding

Spokesman Review
Washington lawmakers try to expand access to abortion with multiple bills this session (Keiser, Trudeau, Mullet)
Spokane federal judge rules abortion drug must remain available in 17 states and D.C. despite contrary appeals court action
Opinion: State must fund pilot project to help babies exposed to drugs in utero

Yakima Herald-Republic
More housing is key to address homelessness in Yakima, nonprofit leaders tell council
Opinion: Community college are critical to our success

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington bill aims to allow for more housing options in residential areas
Legislation focused on safeguarding runaway youth seeking protected health services clears state House (Liias)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Bill to explore safety of psilocybin heads to governor’s desk

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Recreational vessels will need to keep 1,000 yard distance from endangered orcas (Lekanoff)

KPBX Public Radio
Washington lawmakers in final negotiations over budget, domestic violence funding (Keiser, Ormsby)

KUOW Public Radio
Washington to adopt nation-leading family and medical leave for Uber drivers (Berry)
Sound it Out: Listeners respond to WA’s ‘middle housing’ bill

KXLY (ABC)
WDFW investigating wolf shooting in Stevens County

Q13 TV (FOX)
Bill could crack down on WA pet stores who source dogs from out-of-state puppy mills (Berg)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Follow the money: Western absorbs 3% budget cut
Report: Region must increase clean energy supply
Rep. Alicia Rule: Keeping our communities safe

Crosscut
Washington launches new statewide tree-equity collaboration
How to get the most out of Seattle public transit

MyNorthwest
WA legislature passes new state dinosaur bill, heads to governor’s desk (Morgan)
Search for new Washington airport location likely to start over

West Seattle Blog
PROTECTING ORCAS: State House passes buffer bill to keep boaters further away from endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales

Thursday, April 13

WA Legislature backs compromise bill on police pursuits
The state Legislature is moving to ease restrictions on when police can engage in car chases to nab fleeing criminal suspects. A bipartisan compromise bill approved by the state House this week was praised by supporters as striking a middle ground on the hot-button issue. On Tuesday, the state House passed Senate Bill 5352, which would give police some more discretion to pursue suspects for some serious crimes, but would not go as far as law-enforcement groups have asked. SB 5352 lowers the threshold for police to engage in chases from “probable cause” to a “reasonable suspicion” of violent and sex crimes. It would also allow pursuits for domestic violence and vehicular assaults and says suspects can be chased if they pose a “serious risk of harm to others” — as opposed to a stricter “imminent threat” standard in the current law. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

WA Legislature strikes capital punishment from the books
On Sept. 10, 2010, Cal Brown was executed by lethal injection at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. He is likely to be the last person to be executed in Washington state. There’s a number of reasons for that. In 2014, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a moratorium on the death penalty. And in 2018, the Washington Supreme Court struck down the penalty all together. But even so, the death penalty remained on the books, until now. Last Friday, Washington lawmakers voted to permanently repeal capital punishment. “There’s been a lot of push in the past few years for there to be a statement from the Legislature that capital punishment is wrong,” explained Axios reporter Melissa Santos. “Both chambers of the Legislature felt that it was time for the Legislature to weigh on this issue.” Continue reading at KUOW. (NW News Network)

WA is first state to grant Uber and Lyft drivers family and medical leave, unemployment
On Tuesday, Washington became the first state to establish family and medical leave and unemployment benefits for the state’s Uber and Lyft drivers. The Washington State Legislature set the precedent through its approval of HB 1570, which awaits Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature before being set into law. The new law cements another win for Washington drivers with the two transportation companies. Last year, the passage of HB 2076 in the state Legislature granted other worker’s rights to Washington drivers, including protections against unjustified termination, access to worker’s compensation insurance, paid sick time, and set the highest wage floor for drivers in the U.S. Continue reading at Olympian. (Richard Vogel)