WA Government

News > Nation/World

Cantwell grills Norfolk Southern CEO, highlights Washington derailment in rail safety hearing

UPDATED: Wed., March 22, 2023

WASHINGTON – Senators on Wednesday grilled the CEO of Norfolk Southern Railway about the company’s February derailment that released toxic chemicals into East Palestine, Ohio, and spurred a bipartisan effort to reform the nation’s rail safety rules.

News > Nation/World

Biden says he’ll work with Simpson and others to help salmon in Northwest; McMorris Rodgers highlights president’s river mix-up

UPDATED: Wed., March 22, 2023

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden on Tuesday promised to work with leaders in the Northwest, including a prominent Republican, to protect salmon in the Columbia River Basin.

News > Washington

Washington’s revenue projections are slowing thanks to inflation and an uncertain economy, new forecast says

UPDATED: Mon., March 20, 2023

Compared to the last revenue forecast in November, the state's projected revenue for the budget cycle ending in June is up by $194 million but the projected revenue for the budget cycle ending in 2025 has decreased by $483 million, according to the state's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

News > Nation/World

McMorris Rodgers, House Republicans unveil sweeping energy policy bill

Mon., March 20, 2023

As chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has shepherded 15 separate bills that make up much of the package her fellow Republicans have dubbed the “Lower Energy Costs Act.” Other components from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Natural Resources Committee round out the package, which aims to increase domestic mining and drilling while paring back regulations.

News > Education

Pair of special education bills in Washington Legislature would increase funding for local districts

Mon., March 20, 2023

The Washington Legislature is looking to bolster funding for special education this session with two bills to adjust the formula used to direct state funding, each with a different approach.

News > Washington

Washington’s DNR wants to take part in carbon-credit markets

Sun., March 19, 2023

The state House of Representatives last week passed a bill that would authorize the department to use state lands for carbon sequestration or habitat restoration, such as reforesting land post-wildfire, planting forests on lands without trees or aquatic projects in the state's kelp forests. Those projects could then generate carbon credits, which the department could sell in carbon markets, such as Washington's cap-and-trade program.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: Cute kids, a would-be state dinosaur and willing Legislators – only one thing is missing

Sat., March 18, 2023

Legislative sessions rarely pass without the esteemed lawmakers being asked by a group of school children to pass a law they really care about.

News > Washington

Spokane and Washington state have a history of failed attempts to regulate oil trains

UPDATED: Thu., March 16, 2023

In the past, city and state leaders have had a tough time enacting stronger regulations on the transportation of hazardous materials on railroads, which are federally regulated.

News > Washington

With support from families, Rep. Dan Newhouse unveils proposal to combat fentanyl

UPDATED: Thu., March 16, 2023

Families shared their stories about fentanyl overdoses Wednesday night at the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, where U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, announced proposed legislation aimed at combatting the fentanyl epidemic that's been sweeping across the country.

News > Health

Senators threaten consequences after VA confirms 4 deaths tied to computer system tested in Spokane

UPDATED: Thu., March 16, 2023

WASHINGTON – After officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs on Wednesday confirmed four deaths have been linked to a new computer system first deployed in Spokane, senators threatened consequences for the company being paid $10 billion for the system.

News > Washington

These test strips might help prevent fentanyl overdoses, but they’re illegal

UPDATED: Tue., March 14, 2023

Health officials say fentanyl test strips could help prevent accidental overdoses, but under current law, they've been illegal because they fall under the definition of drug paraphernalia.

News > Nation/World

Northwest lawmakers will play key roles in bipartisan rail safety push after Ohio derailment

Sun., March 12, 2023

WASHINGTON – Northwest lawmakers are set to play key roles in a bipartisan effort to improve railroad safety in the wake of a high-profile derailment that spewed toxic chemicals in Ohio.

News > Washington

A number of bills are dead in the Legislature. Here’s a look at what likely won’t make it through this year:

Sun., March 12, 2023

Every year, lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills — only for most of them to die about halfway through the session, following the first major deadline for bills to pass.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: If the results of a new Washington tax poll were a steak, it would be cooked ‘Well, duh’

Sun., March 12, 2023

You may or may not have heard of the proposed new “wealth tax.” Supporters argued during a legislative hearing last week the proposal would have strong public support based on a recent poll that suggests some two-thirds of voters would back a new tax on the “very wealthy.”

News > Washington

State Senate approves bill to increase Astria Toppenish Hospital funding

Sat., March 11, 2023

Astria Toppenish Hospital is one step closer to having its Medicaid reimbursement rates increased, which could help solve many of its financial woes.

News > Education

Central Valley provides notices to dozens of teachers their contracts may not be renewed amid 2023-2024 budget talks

Fri., March 10, 2023

The verbal notification is the start of a budget process that won't be finalized until after the state Legislature completes its work funding schools across the state later this spring, said district officials and the head of the union for Central Valley teachers. It's the second time in the past several years the district, which serves roughly 14,500 students, has notified some of its teachers on provisional contracts they may not be rehired due to financial constraints.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Republican Legislators say assault weapons ban won’t hold up in court if passed

UPDATED: Thu., March 9, 2023

The day after the Washington House of Representatives spent over two hours debating and ultimately passing a controversial ban on assault weapons, the arguments haven’t stopped as the bill makes its way to the Senate.

News > Pacific NW

Dems call budget ‘roadmap for stronger America’, Republicans say ‘spending binge must stop’

UPDATED: Thu., March 9, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden’s newly announced budget plan drew criticism from Northwest Republican lawmakers and praise from local Democrats on Thursday.

News > Marijuana

Bill creating magic mushrooms regulation task forces passes the state Senate

Thu., March 9, 2023

The topic of ‘shrooms’ is once again on the table for the Legislature, as the state Senate passed a bill Tuesday to study access and potential legalization of psilocybin, the chemical compound found in magic mushrooms.

News > Washington

Some $300 million could be coming back to Washington after its first pollution auction

Thu., March 9, 2023

The state's largest polluters took part in their first quarterly auction last week as part of Washington's new cap-and-trade program, possibly bringing in nearly $300 million for the state to use on projects to fight climate change.

Featured Stories

Cantwell grills Norfolk Southern CEO, highlights Washington derailment in rail safety hearing

Latest Stories

Cantwell grills Norfolk Southern CEO, highlights Washington derailment in rail safety hearing

Biden says he’ll work with Simpson and others to help salmon in Northwest; McMorris Rodgers highlights president’s river mix-up

Washington’s revenue projections are slowing thanks to inflation and an uncertain economy, new forecast says

McMorris Rodgers, House Republicans unveil sweeping energy policy bill

Pair of special education bills in Washington Legislature would increase funding for local districts

Washington’s DNR wants to take part in carbon-credit markets

Spin Control: Cute kids, a would-be state dinosaur and willing Legislators – only one thing is missing

Spokane and Washington state have a history of failed attempts to regulate oil trains

With support from families, Rep. Dan Newhouse unveils proposal to combat fentanyl

Senators threaten consequences after VA confirms 4 deaths tied to computer system tested in Spokane

These test strips might help prevent fentanyl overdoses, but they’re illegal

Northwest lawmakers will play key roles in bipartisan rail safety push after Ohio derailment

A number of bills are dead in the Legislature. Here’s a look at what likely won’t make it through this year:

Spin Control: If the results of a new Washington tax poll were a steak, it would be cooked ‘Well, duh’

State Senate approves bill to increase Astria Toppenish Hospital funding

Central Valley provides notices to dozens of teachers their contracts may not be renewed amid 2023-2024 budget talks

Republican Legislators say assault weapons ban won’t hold up in court if passed

Dems call budget ‘roadmap for stronger America’, Republicans say ‘spending binge must stop’

Bill creating magic mushrooms regulation task forces passes the state Senate

Some $300 million could be coming back to Washington after its first pollution auction

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