Local News

House Majority Leader Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, said Thursday that even if the state Senate quickly approves a proposed transportation package fueled by an increase in the gas tax, the measure won’t be heard in the House until lawmakers address education funding. Sullivan said a plan to fund the requirements of the Washington Supreme Court ruling known as…

OLYMPIA – A crew of Navy helicopter pilots and firefighters were honored Wednesday at the Capitol for saving lives in a search-and-rescue effort in the immediate aftermath of the Oso landslide that killed 43 people last March. Backed by a Navy musical ensemble in the Capitol’s rotunda, Gov. Jay Inslee, former Secretary of State Ralph Munro and current…

Activists hoping to repeal or amend Initiative 594 requiring background checks for private gun sales and transfers have been visible this year in Olympia, but supporters for further gun regulations packed a news conference Tuesday to support legislation that would build on the initiative. Jane Weiss, aunt of Veronika Weiss, who was murdered in a…

Four weeks into the legislative session, bills are seeing floor action and discussions of big-ticket issues like Gov. Jay Inslee’s carbon cap-and-trade policy are being hashed out in more detail. Here’s what Republicans had to say at a Tuesday media availability on some key topics: 1. Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy said Inslee isn’t coercing Republicans into…

OLYMPIA — Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has been racking up fines this year for his brevity with the media and on-field gestures. Lynch tallied $20,000 for a crotch-grabbing touchdown celebration in the NFC championship game alone. Typically, fine money goes to football-related charities according to past statements from league representatives. The NFL Player Care Foundation…

OLYMPIA — Activists and lawmakers rallied inside the Capitol on Wednesday for legislation to end homelessness. Among the bills and policies the group discussed were Senate Bill 5404, the “Homeless Youth Act,” and working to ensure that the Housing Trust Fund, which helps low-income families and provides transitional housing, is fully funded in the state…

Update, 9:15 p.m.: We told you (below) about the Democrats’ ideas earlier Tuesday for the Senate Rules Committee. Well … the committee will grow from 18 to 21 members, according to a release from the Majority Coalition Caucus. Two positions go to Democrats Tim Sheldon, of Potlatch, (who caucuses with Republicans) and Andy Billig, of Spokane. Sen. Doug…

OLYMPIA — A crowded Senate hearing Thursday reviewed controversial legislation proposed by State Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries the same as recreational stores. Growing operations, the Washington CannaBusiness Association, the city of Seattle and others were there in favor of more regulation. Eric Cooper, co-owner of Monkey Grass Farms, a growing and…

OLYMPIA — Homebuilders in Washington say they are being inundated with letters claiming patent infringement for the simple process of using fans and dehumidifiers to dry out a home after it has been framed. Radio stations are being threatened with lawsuits for how they store music on hard drives and then process it for broadcast. Both groups…

OLYMPIA — Washington already has the highest minimum wage of any state in the country, but a packed hearing room at the Capitol was filled with supporters of a new minimum-wage bill saying it’s just not high enough. “Income inequality is as  bad as it has been since my grandmother was a small girl in 1929,”…