In the News

The Columbian (Letter): End high-stakes testing in schools | February 8, 2019

Hats off to state Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, for introducing a bill to help Washington join a nationwide trend away from high school exit exams. Research shows these exams do… READ MORE

The Columbian: Hundreds turn out for hearing on vaccine bill in Olympia | February 7, 2019

Washington lawmakers heard from both vaccine skeptics and supporters during the first public hearing Friday morning for a bill that would remove the state’s personal exemption for the measles mumps… READ MORE

The Columbian: State debunks ‘patient zero’ speculation in Clark County measles outbreak | February 7, 2019

The Washington Health State Department shot down speculation that Clark County’s measles outbreak has a confirmed “patient zero” on Wednesday. As the county’s confirmed measles cases rose to 51, along… READ MORE

Seattle Weekly: Mandatory MMR Vaccine Possible In Washington State | February 7, 2019

A new house bill could add pressure on Washington parents to vaccinate their children, and it’s generating discussion from people on all sides of the vaccination argument. HB 1638 —… READ MORE

TVW: Legislative Democratic Leadership Media Availability | February 5, 2019

Senate and House Democratic Leaders gather for their weekly media availability at the state capitol.

The Columbian: Standardized tests and graduation: ‘Delinking’ push on | February 5, 2019

Washington could soon be saying “pencils down” to a long-standing and often-criticized graduation requirement. While students across the country take federally required high school math and English tests, Washington is… READ MORE

The Columbian: Small schools face big challenges in Clark County | February 3, 2019

It only hits Green Mountain School District Superintendent Tyson Vogeler when he hears other superintendents talk about their issues and what they’re doing to fix them. “They’re going to Rotary… READ MORE

AP: NW measles outbreak sparks bitter debate over vaccine exemptions | February 1, 2019

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A measles outbreak in the Vancouver area has revived a bitter debate over so-called “philosophical” exemptions to childhood vaccinations as public health officials across the Pacific… READ MORE

The Columbian: House Bill targets vaccine exemptions | January 30, 2019

In response to a measles outbreak that has spread from Clark County to King County and Oregon, legislators have introduced a bill that would prohibit children from being exempted from… READ MORE

KUOW: The fight against measles, in the hospital and in Olympia | January 30, 2019

Governor Inslee has declared a state of emergency over a measles outbreak: this is what people are doing on the legislative and public health fronts to stop it. Washington parents… READ MORE

KEPR: Measure increasing legal age of tobacco sales on its way to fiscal committee | January 30, 2019

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Department of Health and Human Services says each year nearly 14 thousand kids try tobacco for the first time. A bill in Olympia is trying to… READ MORE

TVW: Legislative Democratic Leadership Media Availability | January 29, 2019

Senate and House Democratic Leaders gather for their weekly media availability at the state capitol.

TVW: Legislative Democratic Leadership Media Availability | January 29, 2019

Senate and House Democratic Leaders gather for their weekly media availability at the state capitol.

KIRO 7: New bill would remove personal objection from measles vaccine | January 28, 2019

In the midst of a measles outbreak in southern Washington, state legislators introduced a bill that would eliminate personal exemptions for the MMR vaccine. On Monday, health officials said there… READ MORE

Kent Reporter: Women of color | January 16, 2019

The Washington State Legislature welcomed one of its most diverse cohorts of elected officials in state history on Monday. The most recent class includes a female majority in the House… READ MORE

The Columbian: Repairing mental health system high on lawmakers’ minds | January 13, 2019

In the weeks leading up to the 2019 Washington legislative session, lawmakers’ do-to lists only got longer. During the 105-day “long session” that begins Monday, legislators were already expected to… READ MORE

The Columbian
Business groups offer wish list at Legislative Outlook Breakfast | December 14, 2018

Clark County’s three main business groups rolled out their legislative wish list to the county’s legislative delegation Friday at the 2019 Legislative Outlook Breakfast, including investments in broadband and other… READ MORE

The Columbian
Will the court break public-sector unions? | May 13, 2018

When Monica Stonier first started working full time as a teacher in 2001, she was more focused on learning her students’ names than about her union, the Washington Education Association…. READ MORE

The News Tribune
Washington’s public unions fight to retain influence in face of adverse court ruling | May 11, 2018

When Pam Kruse took over the Franklin Pierce Education Association, there were 56 school staffers who weren’t union members. Now there are 10. That’s a signature accomplishment for Kruse, an… READ MORE

The Columbian
Clark County homeowners take a hit as property taxes pile up | April 30, 2018

Ridgefield resident Virginia Roberts was expecting her property taxes to go up this year. After all, they’re going up everywhere. But when she saw her bill for $4,139.68 — a… READ MORE

The Columbian
Letter: There’s no end to helping students | April 24, 2018

I appreciated the editorial supporting the Breakfast After the Bell bill sponsored by Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver (In Our View — “Feeding Kids Sound Policy,” The Columbian, April 23). As… READ MORE

The Columbian
In Our View: Feeding Kids Sound Policy | April 23, 2018

Two new state laws revolving around school meals bring up larger questions about the role of government. One law, known as Breakfast After the Bell, will require high-poverty schools to… READ MORE

The Columbian
Inslee visits Vancouver, touts Breakfast After the Bell bill | April 16, 2018

Gov. Jay Inslee started his week surrounded by children. And no, that isn’t a joke about the Washington state Legislature. Sitting in a third-grade class at Fruit Valley Community Learning… READ MORE

Seattle Globalist
Washington Voting Rights Act passes legislature | March 5, 2018

The Washington Voting Rights Act has passed both chambers of the legislature — sending the bill to Gov Jay Inslee.

AP
Washington House panel OKs bump stock ban | February 15, 2018

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A House committee has approved a bill that would ban trigger devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly, similar to the ones used in the Las… READ MORE