Click here for our Daily E-Clips policy.

Thursday, March 30

House committee members amend Senate’s version of drug possession bill. Here’s what’s different
A bill to address the Washington state Supreme Court’s Blake decision on drug possession was amended Tuesday in the House Community Safety, Justice and Reentry Committee, tweaking the version of the legislation that previously cleared the Senate. While the Senate version of the bill would have treated drug possession as a gross misdemeanor, the amended version in the House committee would treat drug possession as a simple misdemeanor. Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, chair of the House Community Safety, Justice and Reentry Committee, told the committee Tuesday that it was difficult for him to vote to continue using criminal penalties for a public health problem. Punitive approaches don’t deter drug use, he said. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Tacoma Police Department)

With WA capital gains case settled, what’s next for tax reform?
Democratic lawmakers are celebrating last week’s state Supreme Court ruling, but it’s unclear where tax reform will go from here. One bill to increase the real estate excise tax, known as the home sellers tax, remains on the table to fund affordable housing, according to House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle. That is seen as an alternative to Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed $4 billion housing-construction bond plan, which would need approval by state voters. Although legislators acknowledge a systemic statewide shortage in housing that grows worse by the year, it remains to be seen whether they have the appetite to approve either proposal. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Jovelle Tamayo)

A mostly united Senate sends $71B spending plan to the House
State senators overwhelmingly approved a proposed two-year operating budget Wednesday, pushing more dollars into public schools, behavioral health services, early learning and child care, while also addressing impacts of climate change. Senate Bill 5187 passed on a 40-9 vote. Once the House adopts its budget, now set for Monday, negotiations will begin to reconcile differences in the spending plans. “This is a Democratic budget but it represents common ground and common purpose,” said Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and chief budget writer. Continue reading at Everett Herald.

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Proposed house budget allocates $20 million fewer locally than senate

Axios
Pay equity advocates, including Patty Murray, try again in Congress

Capital Press
Washington beef checkoff bill fails
House Democrat ‘beyond frustrated’ over cap-and-trade hitting farmers (Chapman)

Columbian
Legislature weighs bills to allow tolls on new I-5 Bridge (Cleveland)

Everett Herald
A mostly united Senate sends $71B spending plan to the House (Rolfes)
New Everett Clinic branches opening in north Snohomish County
The month in public health: COVID hospitalizations near pandemic low
Tenant: Housing Hope ignored meth contamination at Snohomish apartment
Wrap-around service gives at-risk kids ‘a shoulder that you can lean on’
Editorial: Legislation can keep firearms out of wrong hands

Indian Country Today
Judge rules BNSF violated agreement with Swinomish Tribe

The Inlander
Washington cities could soon be required to plan for climate change as they manage growth
Camp Hope officials say they repeatedly asked police for help removing dangerous residents — that help rarely came

News Tribune
Two Tacoma police officers cleared in 2022 shooting death of man near Tacoma Mall
Culvert removal means 8-month road closure, 6.5 miles of new Pierce County fish habitat
Opinion: The Puyallup hospital where I work wants a new tower. Who will care for the patients?
Opinion: Why was a reference to the Nazis included in Lakewood art piece? Good question

Olympian
City of Olympia kicks off campaign to switch homes from gas to electric heat sources
Commission tasked with siting new WA airport meets Thursday amid backlash in South Sound
House committee members amend Senate’s version of drug possession bill. Here’s what’s different (Goodman)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Howard Schultz defends Starbucks as model employer in hearing
WA had 5th-highest net gain in tech jobs last year

Seattle Times
One year later, where do Seattle, King County homelessness promises stand?
How the social media team at Washington’s DNR makes the mundane go viral
Editorial: Pass WA sustainable aviation fuels bill to combat climate crisis (Billig)
Opinion: Dear big banks: Stop investing in fossil fuels or we take our money elsewhere

Spokesman Review
Cheney council pleads with owner for plan to help mobile home park residents who could be displaced
North Spokane Corridor funding appears safe in proposed transportation budgets (Riccelli, Liias, Fey)
Latest proposed fix for Washington’s drug possession law aims for compromise between treatment and jail (Goodman, Farivar)

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Assault weapons may soon be banned from being sold, manufactured in Washington
Bill concerning restraint and isolation in Washington schools fails to move forward
WTSC survey found distracted driving rates have increased in the state

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington state ranked 14th among states with most train derailments

KNKX Public Radio
City of Olympia seeks new revenue sources to adapt to climate change

KUOW Public Radio
The numbers are in: Washington’s carbon credit auction raised nearly $300M
Small apartments from 100 years ago offer townhome alternative

KXLY (ABC)
Camp Hope numbers continue to fall, residents down to 55

Q13 TV (FOX)
Nearly 200 people died of fentanyl overdoses this year in King County, but test strips are illegal in WA

Web

Crosscut
Where the PNW — and the rest of the U.S. — stands on crypto mining
With WA capital gains case settled, what’s next for tax reform? (Jinkins, Robinson, Frockt, Fitzgibbon, Frame, Thai)

The Stranger
Child Endangerment Bill Criminalizes Parents Addicted to Fentanyl (Goodman)

Wednesday, March 29

WA Senate panel OKs assault weapon ban, a day after Nashville shooting
A bill outlawing sale of assault weapons passed a critical test in the state Senate on Tuesday, moving a step closer to becoming law this year. The Democrat-sponsored legislation banning the manufacture, distribution and sale of certain semiautomatic firearms passed the Senate Law and Justice Committee on a party line vote. In passing House Bill 1240, Democrats cited Monday’s slaying of three students and three adults at a school in Nashville, Tennessee, as a reason to impose the prohibition. “One thing constant in all of the tragedies is the gun,” said Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue. “This is a step forward for public safety. It’s a step where we are going to put kids before killers.” Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma, read the names of the three children and three adults and noted two guns used in the shooting — which were legally purchased — are banned by the bill. Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Elaine Thompson)

Editorial: Isolation and restraint of students is abuse
Listening to legislative testimony about a 7-year-old boy in crisis who was restrained face down on a school floor tests the heart. Watching a grown man choke up at his memory of being dragged through a hallway and locked in a barren isolation room would lead any feeling person to wonder why Washington state continues these practices. Sadly, a bill that would have prohibited these practices, House Bill 1479, died in the Senate this week. Supporters of the bill are not wasting time bemoaning its failure. They have already pivoted toward pushing for a budget proviso that would create a demonstration site showing how no-restraint, no-isolation policies can look in practice. That way, they’ll have more data to present next year, when they vow to try again. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

Sen. Cleveland: Invest to support post-acute health care system
If you have needed to visit an emergency room lately, you have likely experienced the overwhelming number of patients. It is a problem evident in hospitals across the state. In every corner of Washington, patients are waking up in hospital beds ready to be discharged. They no longer meet the clinical criteria to be hospitalized and are ready to be transferred to post-acute care facilities, but that transfer is delayed or, too often, never comes. We must make long-term investments in supporting our post-acute health care system to ensure people have access to the services they need in the right setting. We have proudly voted for legislation that will reinforce safe-staffing standards, improve workers’ compensation benefits for nurses, have Washington join the Nurse Licensure Compact and remove barriers for retired nurses wanting to return to patient care. Continue reading at Columbian.

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
New grants to finance outstanding rents

Bellingham Herald
WWU saw several bias incidents this school year. Now the campus hosts a Holocaust Museum event

Capital Press
NW ag industry to Vilsack: Step in on Snake River dam mediation
Bid fails to refund cap-and-trade surcharges to Washington farmers (Rolfes)
Washington environmentalists seek cap-and-trade money set aside timber (Van De Wege)

Columbian
Washington House budget backs housing (Tharinger)
Sen. Cleveland: Local View: Investment to support post acute health care system

Everett Herald
Paine Field unveils plan for new, more eco-friendly jet fuel center (Liias)
WA Senate panel OKs assault weapon ban, a day after Nashville shooting (Kuderer, Trudeau, Dhingra)
Comment: Lawmakers risk second lawsuit over special education
Letter: Advise lawmakers on the best uses of carbon auction revenue

News Tribune
Opinion: WA construction workers have died horrific deaths. These tragedies were preventable
Opinion: I grew up not always knowing where I’d sleep. Here’s how to end youth homelessness

New York Times
Cleaner Air Helps Everyone. It Helps Black Communities a Lot.

Olympian
Thurston County homeless census counts more people in 2023 with extended survey
Cherry blossoms are in peak bloom. Here’s where you can view, photograph them in Olympia

Peninsula Daily News
PASD plans for staffing cuts; 10 percent reduction expected

Puget Sound Business Journal
Baby boomers overtake millennials as prime homebuying generation

Seattle Times
WA lawmakers advance bill to block some public employee info from view (Hunt, Kuderer)
Mass shootings seldom shift partisan policies despite outcry
Opinion: WA can lead the next sustainable era of aerospace
Editorial: Isolation and restraint of students is abuse (Wellman)

Spokesman Review
Washington assault weapons ban one step closer to reality after passing Senate committee (Kuderer)
Is there lead in your lipstick? Arsenic in your face powder? Proposal in Washington legislature would ban those chemicals in cosmetics.
Opinion: Legislature needs to end isolation and restraint in schools

Tri-City Herald
Here are the Tri-Cities projects, from recreation to education to homes, in WA budgets

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla’s Valley Transit returns to full service, and it’s free to ride

Wenatchee World
East Wenatchee gets grant from Department of Ecology for Grant Road

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Senate committee passes bill banning sale of assault weapons in Washington (Dhingra)
BNSF Railway violated access agreement with Swinomish Tribe, judge rules
UW researchers studying effects of drug use on air quality on board King County transit
Seattle becomes first city to ensure permanent paid sick leave for gig workers

KNKX Public Radio
The FDA has approved the overdose-reversing drug Narcan for over-the-counter sales

KUOW Public Radio
Attack ads challenge property sales tax proposal in Washington state
One WA police chief’s argument for changing state vehicle pursuits law (Lovick)

KXLY (ABC)
WA Attorney General speaks on access to abortion medication in Spokane

Q13 TV (FOX)
Police pursuit bill moves out of committee with amendments (Farivar, Lovick)
Announcement possible for orca Tokitae/Lolita’s return to Puget Sound from captivity

Web

Cascadia Daily News
US treasurer visits, discusses Lummi business development

Crosscut
How racism reshaped the Civilian Conservation Corps
Seattle passes first-in-the-nation paid sick leave for gig workers

MyNorthwest
King County Metro installs air monitors to study effects of fentanyl

Tuesday, March 28

House proposes $69.5 billion ‘Resilient Washington’ budget, slightly more than Senate’s plan
House budget writers proposed a $69.5 billion operating budget for the two-year, 2023-25 biennium on Monday. “We still hear from our constituents and communities across the state about significant unmet needs in K-12 education, in behavioral health, in housing affordability and homelessness, in workforce development and beyond,” House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, said at a news conference Monday. “Our proposed budget addresses these needs, and it does so even though we saw a reduction in our revenue forecast last week. Our strategies for addressing our greatest challenges are mutually reinforcing and funding one area at the expense of others won’t get the job done.” The proposed operating budget does not rely on any new tax increases, although there is still discussion in the Legislature about a real estate excise tax proposal to increase affordable housing services, Fitzgibbon said. He noted that proposal will remain in consideration until the end of the session. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Steve Bloom)

‘Record-breaking’ $8.3 billion construction budget proposed by House leaders
A record-breaking $8.3 billion capital budget proposal was released Monday afternoon by House budget writers. That amount includes $4.62 billion in new state bonds as well as $3.16 billion in federal, local, and dedicated state funding. Lawmakers are also proposing leaving aside $160 million in reserves for the 2024 supplemental budget. This budget is the first that contains revenue from the 2021 Climate Commitment Act, and lawmakers are proposing $525 million in spending from that account. The proposed House budget leaves open the possibility of Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed $4 billion housing referendum to fund affordable housing in Washington over the next several years. “Our members want to see a greater level of effort on affordable housing and providing access to affordable housing across the state,” Fitzgibbon said. Fitzgibbon noted that the bond proposal will remain under consideration, and said that it will likely be discussed until the end of the session. Continue reading at Bellingham Herald. (Ted S. Warren)

Opinion: WA’s Fair Repair Act for electronics is about choice, cost and waste
How you repair your electronics, where you are allowed to get them serviced or repaired, whether you can afford to wait for the repair or just give up and get a new device, and how far away the nearest licensed repair shop is — all of that is due to something that’s hardly mentioned: Choice. In the short term, it’s irresponsible not to have that choice — to throw old devices into landfills, allow them to leak toxic heavy materials and poison the earth, and to allow rural school kids to fall behind by not having the electronic devices they need to thrive. While it may seem a cheap fix to buy a new device, it’s not cheap for many whose devices break or break down through no fault of their own. Right here in Washington, House Bill 1392, otherwise known as the Fair Repair Act, passed off the House floor and is now with the Senate for further consideration. Manufacturers’ lobbyists are working hard to defeat or weaken the bill in the other chamber. This bill benefits everybody — so we need you to reach out to your legislators (click here to find yours) and let them know that you want the right to repair your own devices. Please act quickly — this year’s Legislative session ends on April 23. There is no time to wait. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Getty Images)

Print

Bellingham Herald
‘Record-breaking’ $8.3 billion construction budget proposed by House leaders (Tharinger)

Capital Press
Senate Democrats propose more Snake River dam studies

Columbian
Oregon drafts plans to allocate $1B for Interstate 5 Bridge replacement

Everett Herald
A ballpark, a trestle and a recovery center score in House budgets (Fitzgibbon)
A buffet of budgets, a bunch of whales and a request for your miles (Cortes)
‘Staggering’: Everett Boy Scouts face more sexual abuse lawsuits
Comment: How a farmer’s tractor relates to fixing your iPhone
Comment: SNAP food aid needs reforms; work mandate isn’t one
Editorial: USPS needs to deliver on mail’s timely arrival

High Country News
The EPA just proposed new rules on toxic ‘forever chemicals’

Olympian
Lack of school, council officials at Black forum a disappointment, Lacey commissioner says
Ex-warehouse supervisor at Western State Hospital claims his firing was based on race
House proposes $69.5 billion ‘Resilient Washington’ budget, slightly more than Senate’s plan (Fitzgibbon, Ormsby)

Puget Sound Business Journal
The assumption about mental health that may be hurting your workforce
Seattle-area banking leaders worry about bank runs in the digital age
Microsoft cuts more Seattle-area jobs as total tops 2,700

Seattle Times
Rising rents push Seattle residents farther into suburbs
Seattle, DOJ expected to ask judge to end most federal oversight of SPD
Protesting WA’s capital gains tax, Fisher Investments says HQ moving to Texas
Opinion: WA’s Fair Repair Act for electronics is about choice, cost and waste (Gregerson)
Editorial: Protect Swinomish tribe, environment from railroad company (Santos)
Opinion: Invest in education, research, tech to build ‘Quantum Valley’ in WA

Spokesman Review
Spokane City Council overrides mayoral veto on some landlord-tenant reforms
Washington House Democrats release $69 billion budget proposal that factors in Inslee’s housing referendum (Ormsby, Fitzgibbon)

Tri-City Herald
Pasco elementary school recognized among top 10 most inclusive playgrounds in the country

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla wants input on 2022 housing and development program, plans for funds
Residency program aims to ease shortage of special education teachers in Walla Walla
Mobile pediatric audiology clinic coming to Walla Walla Valley
Port of Walla Walla awarded $2M loan for faster traumatic injury response

Wenatchee World
Douglas County responds to state auditor’s 2021 report

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
No new taxes under Washington state House budget proposal
Problematic encampment below the Ship Canal Bridge cleared
Crisis care centers: How King County’s Executive plans to retain, recruit enough staff
Bainbridge Island boy experiencing anxiety episode at school was locked in back of police car

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington House budget leaders want to increase spending on encampment cleanup (Ormsby)

KNKX Public Radio
Those mailers telling you to call your elected leaders? They may soon tell you who paid for them (Pollet)

KUOW Public Radio
What’s in the WA state Senate Democrats’ budget proposal?
Education advocates hope capital gains ruling helps WA schools

NW Public Radio
Nonprofit asks EPA to investigate the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Proposed Whatcom gravel mine raises environmental, safety concerns
Opinion: Fatal accident illustrates stakes in police-pursuit law reform (Sefzik)

Crosscut
Spokane’s Camp Hope is closing soon. Where will its residents go?
WA’s $70B budget proposal boost state worker raises, special ed (Ormsby, Macri, Rolfes, Fitzgibbon)

MyNorthwest
King County Sheriff renews Basic Law Enforcement training certification
Sinkhole causing delays at Fauntleroy ferry terminal

Monday, March 27

Opinion: It just got a little more expensive to be filthy rich in Washington. Boo-hoo
Break out the tissues and tiny violins. Or, if it’s more your style, pour one out for your wealthy friend’s summer home. On Friday, in an objectively stunning decision, the Washington state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the state’s controversial capital gains tax. Given Washington’s long, stubborn history of regressive taxation, proponents of the tax described the court’s decision as a dawning of a new day. The 7-2 ruling reversed a Douglas County Superior Court decision from 2022 that found the tax unconstitutional. More importantly, it marked a major step toward righting “an upside-down tax structure where low-income Washingtonians ultimately expend a much larger share of their income in taxes than our wealthiest residents,” as Governor Jay Inslee put it. Continue reading at News Tribune. (The Olympian)

WA awards grants to BIPOC groups tackling birthing inequities
A project from the Washington State Department of Health is funding five organizations to help address racism and maternal mortality rates. Mortality rates in Washington’s communities of color were already troubling before the pandemic. Then things got worse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nationwide maternal mortality rates rose by more than a third from 2020 through 2021, with disparities holding fairly steady between white and Hispanic people and growing between white people and Black people, who experienced mortality rates of 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. Addressing these disparities is the goal of the Washington Department of Health’s Birth Equity Project, which earlier this month identified the five organizations, each of which will receive funding of up to $200,000 per fiscal year for a total of two and a half years.
Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)

WA moves to eliminate time limits for child sex abuse lawsuits
People who were sexually abused as children in Washington may soon be able to sue the state, schools or other institutions for failing to stop the abuse, no matter how long ago it occurred. A bill moving through the Legislature would eliminate the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits seeking damages for such abuse. House Bill 1618 would apply retroactively, removing time limits that have stymied some lawsuits by people sexually abused as children, who frequently do not fully confront the trauma they endured until decades later. The bill passed the state House earlier this month on an 82-14 vote and cleared a Senate committee last week. “I’ve heard story after story of survivors of all different types trying to access the justice system to hold people accountable, to be able to move on with their lives, and they can’t do that. This is a really meaningful way to address that,” said Rep. Darya Farivar, D-Seattle, the prime sponsor of the bill, in an interview. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

Print

Associated Press
Supreme Court to hear lawsuit involving disability activist
Much of West Coast faces ban to fish salmon amid low stocks

Aberdeen Daily World
Senate budget targets protecting the Harbor from flooding

Axios
Washington state’s capital gains tax upheld
Seattle still struggles with disability access

Capital Press
Northwest lawmakers introduce bill to protect Snake River dams

Columbian
Long COVID in Clark County: It’s what we don’t know
Wildlife crossing on I-5 in Castle Rock could be key to species’ survival, advocates say
Proposed cottage homes could provide some middle housing in Clark County

The Daily News
Washington state Senate budgets for LCC projects, axes HOPE Village

Everett Herald
Health care spending continues to outpace inflation, driven by prices
Providers at Community Health Center of Snohomish County vote to form a union
A thumbs up for capital gains, kind words for the Senate budget
Everett considering ARPA money for business boost, gun buyback
Editorial: What’s needed to get Link light rail on track

Kitsap Sun
$6.3m coming from state to finalize KCR’s townhome purchase in East Bremerton

News Tribune
How badly has pandemic affected mental health in Pierce County? New report gives details
Editorial: It just got a little more expensive to be filthy rich in Washington. Boo-hoo
Opinion: Limiting police pursuits was supposed to make WA safer. It hasn’t happened in Lakewood (Mena, Trudeau)

Northwest Asian Weekly
Sound Transit approves north-south option — But questions of transparency linger

Olympian
Capital gains tax upheld by WA state Supreme Court
Pink snow is alive in the Cascade Range and it’s causing climate change
Olympia school closures off the table for now as district cuts budget deficit to $10.5 million

Peninsula Daily News
DNR carbon credits bill in Senate
Bill would extending orca protective zone (Chapman, Lovelett, Van De Wege)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Capital gains tax upheld by Washington Supreme Court
Washington hospitals cut services to triage steep financial losses

Seattle Medium
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Best Airport, Again

Seattle Times
WA moves to eliminate time limits for child sex abuse lawsuits (Farivar)
Should WA allow more homes per lot? Debate swirls in 3 local cities
WA jails have among the highest death rates in the U.S. A new law to explain why isn’t working.
WA’s homeless population is increasing, new HUD report shows
Editorial: Legalize fentanyl test strips in WA to save lives
Opinion: Invest in human services workforce to strengthen families, communities

Spokesman Review
State House votes to add exemptions to the Public Records Act
Avista Stadium, WSU, local projects could all get funding in proposed capital budget
Long delay in confirmation of Washington wildlife commissioners an act of protest, per committee chair (Van De Wege)
Inslee’s housing referendum faces pushback from lawmakers as budgets are released (Billig, Mullet, Trudeau)
State, city both declare early victory in unfinished Camp Hope suit. Now they need to agree on a plan.

Wenatchee World
State auditor identifies problems in Douglas County’s use of grants

Yakima Herald-Republic
Permanent heat rules for outdoor work could be here this summer
Yakima County caught nearly $6.3 million in fraudulent rental assistance applications during pandemic

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Kent School Board president resigns following ‘concerning comments’

KNKX Public Radio
WA Supreme Court upholds capital gains tax just weeks ahead of collection deadline

KUOW Public Radio
‘Therapeutic’ courts could see influx under Washington’s next drug law
Week in Review: Capital gains tax, Sound Transit construction, and landlords

KXLY (ABC)
Republican lawmaker calls TikTok ‘an immediate threat’ and calls for app to be banned

NW Public Radio
How Washington, Idaho are attempting to reduce increased opioid overdose deaths

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom County wants to build more than just a jail

Crosscut
WA awards grants to BIPOC groups tackling birthing inequities

Marijuana Moment
Washington Bill To Protect Job Applicants From Marijuana Discrimination Advances In House After Passing Senate (Keiser, Stanford, Berry, Fosse)

La Raza del Noroeste
Trabajadores al aire libre tendrían mayor protección contra la exposición al calor en una actualización propuesta de la regla

Waste Dive
High number of facility fires in 2022 prompts renewed look at battery recycling efforts (Stanford)

Friday, March 24

WA Supreme Court upholds capital gains tax
The Washington state Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the state’s capital gains tax, cementing a long-sought victory for state Democrats and nudging the state’s tax system in a more progressive direction. The court ruled 7-2 Friday morning to uphold the tax. The court declined to revisit its nearly century-old precedent, which bars a progressive income tax, but instead ruled the tax is constitutional because it is an excise tax, not a property tax. Democrats passed the measure in 2021, with plans to spend the revenue on early childhood education programs. It applies a 7% tax on the sale of financial assets such as stocks and bonds. The tax only applies to profits over $250,000. It is expected to initially bring in about $500 million a year in revenue. Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, chair of the House Finance Committee, said the ruling “provides the clarity needed to move forward with this significant reform to our tax structure. It’s time for the wealthiest among us to share in the responsibility of funding the needs of our communities.” Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

WA Senators propose two-year, $69.2 billion operating budget — and saving for a rainy day
Washington State Senate budget writers released their proposal Thursday for a two-year, $69.2 billion operating budget. While $5.1 billion is added in new spending for the 2023-25 biennium, no new taxes or fees are added to provide the new funding. Even with new spending, Senators have proposed leaving $3.8 billion for reserves as a safeguard for an economic slowdown as well as protection for Washington’s currently high credit rating. Major budget investments are targeted to public schools, housing and homelessness, as well as behavioral health services and investments to fight climate change. House budget writers are expected to release their budgets next week, and Senate and House lawmakers will work together to negotiate on a final spending plan by the end of the session on April 23. Continue reading at Olympian.

Affordable-housing measures see mixed success in Olympia
In the thick of the Legislature’s 105-day session, various bills aiming to provide more affordable housing for Washington residents are gaining traction, while others have fizzled out on the floor. A 2022 poll of 600 Washington residents conducted by the Sightline Institute and Lake Research Partners found that 61 percent of them support legislation that aims to fill the gap in the middle. House Bill 1110, sponsored by Rep. Jessica Bateman, D-Olympia, has a more comprehensive approach than its predecessors. Aside from more affordable housing, it aims to address discrimination against marginalized renters. “Washington is experiencing a housing shortage, which is culminating in a housing crisis. This supply imbalance is creating increasingly expensive homes, and increasingly expensive rents that’s impacting our constituents in every corner of the state,” Bateman said during a public hearing. Continue reading at The Columbian. (iStock)