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Friday, April 21

Washington state bans sale of most semi-automatic rifles
The Washington Legislature has passed a law to ban the sale, importation and distribution of assault-style rifles, sending one of the highest-profile firearms-regulation bills to the desk of Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Inslee, a three-term Democrat and former congressman who supported the federal assault weapons ban, requested House Bill 1240, along with Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and is expected to sign it. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, bars the distribution, manufacture, importation or sale of AR-style semi-automatic rifles, as well as some other kinds of semi-automatic weapons. “We do not have to continue to tolerate these weapons of war in our community,” Peterson said in a statement last month when the bill first passed the House. “This is not a ban on possession, nor is it a ban on personal protection. This policy acknowledges the data and reduces the risk of harm our communities face with a policy we know will be effective in saving lives.” Continue reading at Crosscut. (Ted S. Warren)

New law gives nurses stronger voice in setting hospital staffing levels
Nurses secured a greater role in deciding minimum staffing levels in hospitals across the state under a law signed Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee. The legislation requires hospital administrators and nurses to agree on the number of staff assigned in each patient care unit, and how workers will be assured of receiving proper rest and meal breaks. Senate Bill 5236, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, represents a compromise between nurses and hospital leaders. The two sides battled to a draw in the 2022 session. “I’m just thrilled that we got it to the finish line,” Robinson said. “It will make conditions better for nurses and patients.” Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Kevin Clark)

Washington establishes cold case unit to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases
On April 20, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law Substitute House Bill 1177 that establishes a cold case unit specifically for missing and murdered Indigenous women and people (MMIWP) in the state. “This legislation will ensure that Indigenous victims of crime receive robust, thorough investigations and potential prosecution,” Inslee said. Rep. Debra Lekanoff, (D-40th District) was the primary sponsor of the bill, which passed unanimously in the house and senate during the legislative session. Lekanoff is a co-chair on the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force, which recommended the legislation in 2022. “We have witnessed women who look like me, aunties, girls who look like me, grandmothers, go missing one after another with unresolved cases, unresolved attention from governing bodies,” Lekanoff said. Now, Lekanoff said, Washington state is leading the nation and making missing and murdered Indigenous people a priority for the state. Continue reading at Northwest Public Broadcasting. (Johanna Bejarano)

Print

Associated Press
US setting record pace for mass killings in 2023

Axios
Sen. Murray becomes first woman to cast 10,000 votes in the Senate

Bellingham Herald
Roundabout aims to help make streets safe in this part of Bellingham
WA state down payments on houses among most expensive in U.S. How much do area homes cost?

Capital Press
Senator casts ‘no’ votes to protest cap-and-trade fees on farmers

Columbian
Cowlitz Tribe opens cannabis dispensary
Opinion: Legislature’s to do list: Poverty, theft, gas tax (Cleveland)

The Daily News
What you need to know about Washington state’s red-flag gun law
WSDOT returns to Lewis and Clark Bridge to check on repairs

Everett Herald
New law gives nurses stronger voice in setting hospital staffing levels (Robinson)
Everett weighs expanding ‘no sit’ ban, giving mayor more discretion
Snohomish County pays out another $325K over ex-prosecutor’s workplace
Letter: Expanded Child Tax Credit made difference for millions

News Tribune
Pacific NW was one of the only places in the world to endure a ‘cold’ March. Here’s why

New York Times
Supreme Court Is Expected to Decide on Access to Abortion Pill as Appeal Moves Forward

Puget Sound Business Journal
Report: Seattle has 5th-highest average pay for cybersecurity jobs

Seattle Medium
One Seattle Day Of Service Is May 20

Seattle Times
WA looks to tap youth athletic funds for minor league stadium upgrades (Billig, Mullet)
School closures, cuts to clubs and music possible as WA schools face ‘cliff’
Seattle-area millennials are buying homes — just not in King County
Murray makes history as first female senator to cast 10,000 votes
Editorial: WA’s momentous new gun laws draw a line
Opinion: Republicans are digging themselves into a hole on abortion

Sol De Yakima
Servicios de interpretación en español son parte vital de la atención médica en el valle de Yakima

Spokesman Review
EWU gets broader authority for doctorate degrees (Leavitt)
Inslee signs bill officially repealing death penalty in Washington (Hansen)
‘Not just a crisis of Indian country’: Washington to form special unit to investigate scourge of slain Indigenous people (Lekanoff)
Pacific Northwest’s Congressional delegation remain far apart on debt ceiling talks after release of House GOP proposal

Tri-City Herald
Reduce, reuse, recycle. PNNL’s spin on Earth Day science and technology innovations

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
College Place, Walla Walla review options for joint wastewater program

Yakima Herald-Republic
Electric aircraft could make Yakima viable option for expansion, airport director says
Editorial: Earth Day’s message helps keep us on track

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Inslee signs bill banning death penalty in Washington state
Seattle city workers frustrated over proposed 1% pay increase
How Washington could be impacted by SCOTUS ruling on mifepristone

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
State legislature passes bill that would ban pre-employment cannabis tests (Keiser)
Gov. Inslee signs bill targeting illegal robocalls in Washington (Leavitt)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
28 Washington mayors sign letter to state legislature regarding drug possession laws
Nonprofit concerned after Washington bill to set age limit for marriage at 18 stalls (Stonier)

KNKX Public Radio
Short-haul truckers call for equitable distribution of Washington’s climate dollars
US inventory: old forests cover area larger than California

KUOW Public Radio
Negligent drivers who kill pedestrians in WA may face new penalties
WA set to become 10th state to ban assault-style weapons

KXLY (ABC)
The Power of Water: Spokane’s river and aquifer threatened by climate change, population growth

NW Public Radio
Tri-State Hospital to hold active shooter drill Friday
Washington establishes cold case unit to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases (Lekanoff)

Q13 TV (FOX)
Gov. Inslee signs bill to remove death penalty from state law in Washington
Gov. Inslee expected to sign legislation banning semi-automatic weapons (Peterson)
Fentanyl, meth account for half of about 1,000 drug-related deaths in King County in 2022

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Blaine Municipal Court makes resources more accessible for defendants

Crosscut
Washington strip clubs won’t be selling alcohol anytime soon (Saldaña)
Washington state bans sale of semi-automatic rifles (Peterson, Jinkins)

MyNorthwest
SeaTac names new police chief with 22 years of law enforcement experience

Thursday, April 20

Legislature votes to support local news, new capital outlet launching

By a resounding margin, Washington’s Legislature agreed to help sustain the state’s local newspapers. The state House voted 89 to 7 on Monday to create a decade long tax break for publishers and now awaits Gov. Jay Inslee’s expected signature. The tax break is one of many steps needed to stabilize and restore the news industry, including antitrust enforcement to address unfair competition with tech giants and federal support. It took two years of effort by press champions in the Legislature to get it done. An earlier push by Mullet and state Rep. Gerry Pollet fell short last year, after it failed to advance from a Democrat-led Senate committee. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

Washington Senate passes bill to protect transgender youth in shelters who report parental abuse or neglect

Parents of a runaway youth seeking gender-affirming treatment or reproductive health care would not have to be notified of the whereabouts of their minor child who is in a homeless shelter under a bill heading to Gov. Jay Inslee for final approval. Sen. Marko Liias, the bill’s prime sponsor, said it is strictly about providing housing and emergency shelter to at-risk youth. It does not give the department or any other state agency new authority to help runaway or homeless minors obtain the medical treatment they may be seeking without parental approval, he said. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (Jesse Tinsley)

Bill to ban child marriage in Washington stalls again in the Senate

Washington’s legislative session ends in a handful of days, but even bills with strong, unanimous support are failing to pass out of committee. House Bill 1455 to ban child marriage in Washington is one of them; and according to advocates, the legislation is not being given the priority it deserves. There were 95 yeas and 0 nays in the House but it stalled in the Senate and failed to meet a deadline to get voted out. Attempts at passing legislation in Olympia were unsuccessful the past several years, as the legislation never advanced. “How is it that a bill that got so much unanimous support on both sides of the aisle, still isn’t making it out of committee?” we asked. “That’s an answer I don’t have,” said Stonier, the bill’s sponsor. Continue reading at KING5.

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Associated Press
Posts distort Washington estranged minors law (Liias)
Ganja glut? With excess weed, growers seek interstate sales
Supreme Court temporarily extends access to abortion pill
Semi-automatic rifle ban passes Washington state Legislature, heads to Gov. Inslee’s desk (Peterson, Lovelett)

Aberdeen Daily World
Stafford Creek home of new, forward-looking prison initiative

Axios
Electric vehicle adoption doubles in Seattle
Washington set to become 10th state to ban assault weapons sales (Kuderer)

Capital Press
Columbia River Treaty negotiations could conclude by June

Columbia Basin Herald
Abortion med bill passes WA Senate committee (Keiser)

Columbian
I-5 Bridge tolling approved by Washington House (Wylie)

The Daily News
Port of Kalama, TEMCO ask for $14M in help to build more rail

Everett Herald
Layoffs loom as Snohomish County schools face budget shortfalls
State law prompts Edmonds to add bike lanes on Highway 99 overhaul
Cocktails-to-go, parental rights and what clergy must report (Pedersen, Van De Wege, Ortiz-Self)
Comment: Republicans ought to think twice about path on abortion
Editorial: Second look for major airport can skip Paine Field

The Inlander
Washington state makes big bucks taxing cannabis, so what does it do with all that money?
As Washington ratchets down emissions and shifts to a renewable energy grid, heat pumps are about to have a huge moment
Electric cars are becoming more common thanks to government support — but bolstering e-bikes would have a bigger impact
Walking or biking to Seattle isn’t really an option, so what other low carbon emission modes of transportation can get you there?

News Tribune
Pierce County students ‘absolutely in crisis’ after COVID, say area superintendents

New York Times
Abortion Pill Maker Sues F.D.A. to Protect Drug if a Court Orders It Off the Market

Northwest Asian Weekly
WA Senate passes resolution honoring Sikh Americans (Shewmake, Dhingra, Trudeau)

Olympian
Access to public records could be at risk in WA with litigation, change of power, experts say (Pollet)
WA assault weapons ban bill heads to Gov. Inslee after House votes to approve it Wednesday (Peterson, Rule, Shavers)
Cocktails to-go, a pandemic-era boon for restaurants, forever legal in WA (Conway)

Seattle Times
WA court reinstates nearly $100M verdict against state in death of 2 boys
So how do we locate the good guy with the gun?
Fecal pollution restricts harvest in 3 WA shellfish growing areas
Opinion: WA state ferries far from shipshape
Opinion: Legislature votes to support local news, new capital outlet launching (Mullet, Pollet)

Skagit Valley Herald
Legislation will require climate change planning for Skagit County

Sol De Yakima
Presidenta de UFW se une a manifestación en granja de champiñones de Sunnyside

Spokesman Review
Couple hit by on-duty police officer sues city
Spokane receives $6.7 million from Monsanto suit, looks to continue work cleaning river
Washington Senate passes bill to protect transgender youth in shelters who report parental abuse or neglect (Liias)
Assault weapon ban on sales and import in Washington heads to Inslee for final approval (Riccelli, Ormsby, Peterson)

Yakima Herald-Republic
UFW President Teresa Romero joins union rally at Sunnyside mushroom farm

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Bill to ban child marriage in Washington stalls again in the Senate (Stonier, Dhingra)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Bill to make cocktails to-go permanent passes state legislature

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Semi-automatic rifle ban passes Washington state Legislature (Lovelett)
Legislation to permanently allow to-go cocktails in Washington heads to Inslee’s desk

KUOW Public Radio
More housing is on the way, but parking? Maybe not
Washington can now look to out-of-state shipbuilders for its next ferries (Liias)

NW Public Radio
In biggest turnout in ten years, Richland citizens fill city council meeting to speak out against drag show harassment

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham youth combat climate anxiety through action
Shellfish harvest closure expands south of Bellingham Bay

Crosscut
Washington could soon have a battery stewardship program (Stanford)
Proposal to eliminate the ‘pink tax’ fails in WA legislature (Dhingra)

MyNorthwest
Climate Pledge joins Seahawks, Mariners stadiums with a significant excise tax exemption

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.

Print

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.