Eastern Washington farmworkers fight their own legislators to win labor rights withheld for nearly a century
For nearly a century, Washington’s farmworkers have been denied the basic labor rights afforded to nearly all other private sector workers. The results have been poor wages, dangerous working conditions,...
Energy assistance for low-income Washingtonians shouldn’t be controversial
On Valentine’s Day, Washington state House Republicans spent a good portion of House floor debate explaining why they’d decided to vote “no” on a bill to provide energy assistance to...
Tighter rules for challenges to voter registrations clear WA House
Democratic state lawmakers in Washington want to make it tougher to challenge a voter’s registration as organized efforts to knock residents off the rolls are on the rise. The state...
ICE and labor proposals among topics at Latino Legislative Day in Olympia
The finale of the 2026 Latino Legislative Day presentations held before the Legislative Building was a performance of “Viva Mexico,” sung by 11-year-old Noelia Delgado of Yakima. Delgado, who was...
WA proposal wants to allow sports betting on in-state college teams
Some lawmakers in Olympia want to expand sports wagering in Washington, allowing bets on in-state college teams that are currently prohibited under state law. Sports betting is permitted only at...
Democrats’ plan to revamp WA’s initiative process stirs backlash
Majority Democrats in the state Legislature are pushing changes they say will restore integrity to Washington’s venerable initiative process. Opponents contend the moves will effectively block residents’ direct path to...
Current, former Secretaries of State object to proposed changes to initiative process
Former Secretary of State Sam Reed and current Secretary of State Steve Hobbs differ in many ways. “Democrat, Republican. Husky, Cougar,” Reed said Wednesday, seated next to Hobbs as he...
State Bills Bring Farmworkers to the Table
Who grows your food and what do they deserve? A bill introduced into the Washington State Legislature Tuesday would grant our state’s farmworkers the same collective bargaining rights you and...
Should WA embrace nuclear to meet clean energy goals? There’s a bipartisan push
Whether Washington should pursue nuclear power options to meet its ambitious clean energy goals is top of mind for a broad bipartisan group of state lawmakers — but the question...
Washington Democrats propose collective bargaining for farmworkers
Washington legislators held the first of what likely will be several hearings this session on whether farmworkers will have collective-bargaining rights enforced by a state commission. Farmworkers can unionize, but...
They’re back. Here’s what to know as WA Legislature convenes for 2026 session
The Washington state Legislature is back in session. Jan. 12 marked the first day of 2026’s 60-day legislative session. The hallways beneath the Capitol dome buzzed with activity as lawmakers...
Editorial: Lawmakers shouldn’t futz with partisan redistricting
With only a short 60-day session to work with, here’s how state lawmakers can save themselves some time and effort this session, especially as they confront a $2.3 billion budget...
WA Democrats push to redraw congressional map amid national redistricting blitz
Washington Democratic lawmakers are making a push for mid-decade redistricting. House Joint Resolution 4209, prefiled Tuesday by House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon and Tacoma state Rep. Sharlett Mena, would pave...
Washington becomes first state in the nation to ban all formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in cosmetics
Toxic-Free Future applauds landmark ban on cancer-causing chemicals in cosmetics to protect health SEATTLE, WA—Today, Washington became the first state in the nation to adopt a comprehensive ban on all formaldehyde-releasing chemicals...
‘This should have been prevented’: Leaders respond to state slashing ICE database access after KING 5 investigation
SEATTLE — A KING 5 investigation prompted the state of Washington on Tuesday to admit they unwittingly allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hunt down and deport undocumented residents...