PNW
What's happening in the Pacific Northwest? For information and details regarding Northwest news, see our articles below.
Capital gains tax surge eases but doesn’t solve WA budget woes
A windfall of capital gains tax payments is providing temporary relief for Washington’s budget, but other collecti…
WCOG settles suit with redistricting commission
OLYMPIA — The Washington Coalition for Open Government and the Washington State Redistricting Commission agreed Thursday to settle a lawsuit brought by WCOG over alleged violations of the Open Public Meetings Act, …
Washington House address homeless encampments
OLYMPIA — Homeless individuals may have an opportunity to move into permanent housing under legislation considered by a Washington House committee on Thursday.
Columbia River spring Chinook salmon fishing season looking up
OLYMPIA – A news release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on Feb. 23, shows that Columbia River Chinook salmon returns are up over 30,000 fi…
Legislators consider ghost gun legislation
OLYMPIA — The manufacture, sale and distribution of “ghost guns,” often-homemade weapons that are untraceable by authorities, may soon become illegal in Washin…
District 13 legislators address local constituents
OLYMPIA — Local legislators set out the 2022 state legislative session with the safety of their constituents in mind, said Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, dur…
Lawmakers discuss salmon recovery
OLYMPIA — Legislators in the Washington Senate considered a solution to recovering the state's declining salmon population during a public hearing on Monday.
Warnick-sponsored bill looks to involve families in behavioral health outcomes
OLYMPIA — Families of state hospital patients may have opportunities to receive training and more support under legislation moved into the Washington State Hou…
Bill would support veterans in crises
Veterans experiencing mental health crises could soon receive additional support under legislation given executive action by the House Committee on Appropriati…
Proposed law could shorten sentences
Incarcerated individuals who serve 15, 20, or 25 years of total confinement would have the opportunity to apply for a conditional commutation under Senate Bill…
Legislators advance new tax exemption for ADUs
Legislation, which could expand affordable housing and ease tax burdens, was advanced and referred to the review stage by the House Finance Committee on Thursd…
Bills to restore police authority move forward
Several bills restoring law enforcement agencies’ authority to use physical force and engage in vehicular pursuits were advanced during executive sessions in t…
Legislators hear bill regarding vape regulation
The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee had a public hearing Monday for a bill, which if passed, would give the state authority to regulate vapor products…
Legislators to consider bill on realtor disclosure
The House Consumer Protection & Business Committee will consider, during an executive session Wednesday, legislation holding real estate sellers accountable fo…
Inslee signs bills to delay, expand exemptions in WA Cares
Gov. Jay Inslee signed bills Thursday to delay the WA Cares payroll tax on Washington workers and expand the number of people who can seek permanent exemptions…
Possible return: Warnick bill aims to help REC start up again
OLYMPIA — Legislation proposed by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and currently being considered by the Washington State Senate Committee on Business, Financi…