PNW
What's happening in the Pacific Northwest? For information and details regarding Northwest news, see our articles below.
State actuary: $4 billion pension transfer raises odds of future taxpayer bailouts
(The Center Square) - State pension officials warned Tuesday that a new law allowing the Legislature to pull nearl…
Bill to reassess military credit makes cut-off in House
A bill to reassess the way military service credit for state retirement plans is awarded to veterans who have been deployed narrowly made cut-off in the Approp…
State House honors Buffalo Soldiers
OLYMPIA — The House of Representatives honored the Buffalo Soldiers, an African-American cavalry unit known for their valor based in the west after the Civil War, in a resolution on March 22.
Senate passes capital budget
OLYMPIA — District 13 is slated to receive new funding for buildings at Big Bend Community College and Central Washington University.
DOC early release bill voted out of committee
A bill to reform the Department of Corrections, drafted in response to the early release of around 3,000 prisoners over the last 13 years due to computer miscalculations, was voted unanimously out of the Public Saf…
House Dems' budget to include new taxes, spending
The House Democrats have released their budget proposal, which includes increased spending in education and social services as well as several new taxes.
Bill to create water slide exemption heard in House
OLYMPIA — A bill to exempt bouncy houses, inflatable water slides and dunk tanks from water recreation permit law was heard by the Senate .
Senate committee releases budget proposal
The Senate released its operating budget for the 2017-19 biennium with an increased spending of $1.8 billion on education and significant changes in early lear…
Grant, Adams counties covered in emergency proclamation
OLYMPIA — Grant and Adams counties were included in Governor Jay Inslee’s emergency proclamation to make available state resources to deal with possible floodi…
Grant, Adams counties included in governor's emergency proclamation
OLYMPIA — Grant and Adams counties may soon be seeing funds come through to help with recovery from this winter’s storms, as both counties have been included i…
Bill to create new Department for Child Services passes House
The house passed a bipartisan bill to separate services DSHS provides for children, such as early learning, juvenile services and child welfare programs, into …
Lawmakers consider bills to change election deadlines
The legislature is considering bipartisan bills to change the date of the presidential primary and reduce deadlines for voter registration.
Senate approves gubernatorial campaign contributions bill
The Senate passed a measure on party lines which would prevent unions that collectively bargain with the governor for state salaries from making gubernatorial …
Legislature passes school levy bill sought by districts
OLYMPIA — The Legislature on Thursday passed a measure delaying a deadline for a reduction in the amount of money school districts can collect through local pr…
Bill to double number of wine tasting rooms OK'ed by Senate
MOSES LAKE — A bill doubling the number of tasting rooms a winery can operate passed the Senate this week.
Agritourism bill passes through Senate
A bill to protect agriculture tourism businesses from liability in case of injury was approved by the Senate in a 42-6 vote.