OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed five election-related bills into law Wednesday, responding to what state legislators described as mounting threats to voting access from the Trump administration….
Category: Sharlett in the News
After shocking revelations, WA leaders reconsider Cesar Chavez recognition
Gov. Bob Ferguson said the state won’t honor the labor leader on March 31. Lawmakers could recast the day to recognize farmworkers. State lawmakers and the governor are rethinking how…
Why farmworker union rights died
The farmworker collective bargaining bill, Senate Bill 6045, made it to the Senate floor calendar, but lacking the votes, never came to a vote before the house of origin deadline. The…
WA residents may soon be able to bet on UW, WSU, Gonzaga sports
OLYMPIA — The only thing stopping local bettors from wagering on the Gonzaga Bulldogs next year is a stroke of Gov. Bob Ferguson’s pen. The Legislature has approved a bill…
Live final day coverage of the 2026 Washington state legislative session
State lawmakers in Olympia are in the final hours of the 60-day 2026 legislative session. Before adjourning sine die, they’ll have to approve operating, transportation, and capital budgets and will…
Washington House approves income tax after 24-hour debate
An income tax on high earners is one step away from final passage in Washington state after the House approved it 51-46 Tuesday, capping a marathon floor debate. Why it…
Next year’s March Madness likely to be even madder: The Washington Legislature approved a bill allowing betting on in-state college teams
OLYMPIA – The only thing stopping local bettors from wagering on the Gonzaga Bulldogs next year is a stroke of Gov. Bob Ferguson’s pen. The Legislature has approved a bill…
WA House heads toward final vote on ‘millionaires tax’
OLYMPIA — Washington’s state House launched into a final debate Monday on a proposed new state income tax on high earners, with a vote expected to stretch late into the…
‘Millionaire tax’ clears House committee despite Republican pushback
Washington’s first-ever income tax cleared a key House committee Friday morning on a 9 to 6 vote. Republicans tried again, but failed to stop the bill from advancing. It passed…
WA governor to fellow Democrats: Income tax bill still misses mark
A House committee approved the latest version of the legislation Friday. The governor insists it doesn’t include adequate tax relief provisions. Washington Democrats’ controversial income tax bill emerged from a…