News

This is the first time in state history that lawmakers failed to pass a capital budget. The capital budget, sometimes known as the construction budget, creates tens of thousands of jobs across the state by investing in community construction projects. These resources build schools, colleges, state parks, dental clinics, and make improvements to our mental … READ MORE

By Strom Peterson If you walked into your bathroom right now and opened your medicine cabinet, what would you find? If you are anything like me, you probably have some over-the-counter cold medicine, leftover pills from last year’s allergy season or maybe an array of vitamins. For many Washingtonians, there is also a mix of … READ MORE

State Rep. Strom Peterson has introduced a bill that would ban the sale of certain assault weapons and high capacity magazines. Democrat Peterson introduced the bill before the Jan. 10 opening of the legislative session at the request of State Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “This past year, we all watched in horror as the mass … READ MORE

The drive to build a 5,500-square-foot memorial park to honor veterans has gotten a big boost — a $77,000 grant from the state. Plans now call for construction to begin in June and for the memorial park to be dedicated Nov. 11, Veterans Day, said Ron Clyborne, who helped launch the drive for the park. … READ MORE

President Obama did something remarkable this week. For the first time, a president talked about drug addiction in America without talking about prosecution, mandatory minimums or a war on drugs. For the first time, a president talked about a new approach to addiction — an approach rooted in being smart on treatment instead of just … READ MORE

Calling addiction to opiates and similar drugs “a scourge,” Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday approved legislation that seeks to make better use of a state-sponsored prescription monitoring program to fight “doctor-shopping” by addicts. The bill (HB 2730) makes it easier for physicians and others prescribing drugs to get information about whether a patient has previously … READ MORE

On a party-line 51-46 vote, the state House passed a bill Tuesday that would require most businesses in Washington to grant employees paid sick and safe leave. House Bill 1356 would mandate that all but the smallest businesses in the state give their employees paid leave. Employers with more than four but fewer than 50 … READ MORE

A proposal to test supplanting noxious weeds with bee forage nearly unanimously passed the Washington House, indicating stronger support for an idea that stalled last year.