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Washington state makes history with new paid family leave program

This afternoon Rep. June Robinson (D-Everett) spoke to lawmakers, labor and business leaders, parents, and other paid leave advocates at the Washington State Capitol steps a few minutes before heading... READ MORE

Eastside lawmakers vote against Republican $4 billion statewide property tax increase to pay for schools

OLYMPIA — Sen. Lisa Wellman, Rep. Tana Senn, and Rep. Judy Clibborn, Democrats from Mercer Island, voted against a Republican proposal to increase property taxes statewide by $4 billion over... READ MORE

Washington state Legislature passes comprehensive paid family and medical leave insurance program

OLYMPIA – Late Friday evening, Washington lawmakers passed a historic bipartisan legislation that will provide paid family and medical leave benefits to working Washingtonians. The bill is the result of... READ MORE

Washington Film Makers Win Big in State Budget

OLYMPIA—The popular and successful Motion Picture Competitiveness Program will continue due to last minute negotiating by key lawmakers in the State House. Under the 2017-2019 budget proposal, the program that... READ MORE

Reps. Kagi and Ryu to Senate Republicans: Stop stalling on school construction, local projects

OLYMPIA—A possible state government shutdown has dominated the news for months. Now that a budget deal is in sight before July 1, there’s a different state budget that may not... READ MORE

Reps. Kagi and Ryu to Senate Republicans: Stop stalling on school construction, local projects

OLYMPIA—A possible state government shutdown has dominated the news for months. Now that a budget deal is in sight before July 1, there’s a different state budget that may not... READ MORE

House Democrats at their budget rollout press conference
Links to 2017-19 budget documents now live

Below are the 17-19 budget details provided by nonpartisan staff for the proposed negotiated budget between the House and Senate. OPR (nonpartisan) Summary document: https://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2017/hoSummary_0630.pdf Agency Detail: https://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2017/hoAgyDetail_0630.pdf Four-Year Budget... READ MORE

Goodman, Frockt propose mental health “co-responder” teams to avoid use of deadly force in law enforcement calls

OLYMPIA — Mental health professionals would assist law enforcement officers who respond to calls from people in crisis, under legislation introduced this week by Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland and Sen.... READ MORE

Local projects at risk without Senate agreement on capital budget

OLYMPIA— Projects throughout the 1st Legislative District could be unnecessarily delayed if Senate Republicans continue refusing to negotiate a state capital budget. In April, the House passed its version of... READ MORE

Local communities lose projects and jobs if Senate refuses to negotiate Capital Budget

OLYMPIA—Local projects might see delays if Senate Republicans continue to refuse to negotiate a Capital Budget. The House proposed construction projects throughout the state totaling $4.15 billion to build new... READ MORE