Political
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Dent, Garcia outline budget priorities, leadership approaches
EPHRATA — As voters in Washington's 13th Legislative District prepare to cast their ballots, they will choose betw…
Dems sink proposal to add officers to schools
An amendment to the House supplemental budget proposal that would have invested $30 million for school districts to hire resource officers failed to be adopted after Democratic resistance and a vote along party lin…
Lawmakers vote themselves out of public records requests
OLYMPIA — With a speed few in the state capitol have ever seen, lawmakers in the Senate and the House voted within minutes of each other to exempt themselves from public records laws — laws that every other governm…
State House passes bump stock ban
OLYMPIA — The state House voted to ban bump stocks, a stock attachment that allows a semi-automatic rifle to fire in rapid succession.
Lawmakers push through public records exemption
A bill exempting state lawmakers from the Public Records Acts was heard Thursday less than 24 hours after the proposal was made public, bypassing rules and pro…
Ephrata council seeks short-term rental input
EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council devoted much of its most recent Wednesday meeting discussing proposed regulations for short-term vacation rentals — like Air BnB — with parking and pets topping the list of counci…
Privacy vs. accountability in public employees birthdate bill
A proposal that would exempt the birthdates of public employees from public records requests recently passed through the state Senate 25-22, which supporters of the bill say will protect against identity theft.
Bill would put foster parent training online
A bill that would make some training for potential foster parents more easily available is likely to travel from the legislature to the governor’s desk.
Hundreds tune in for telephone town hall
Hundreds of constituents of the 13th Legislative District tuned in to a telephone town hall Monday evening hosted by their local lawmakers.
PUD 2017 budget results reviewed
EPHRATA — The books aren’t closed on 2017, but preliminary results show the Grant County PUD spent about 25 percent less than it had budgeted for capital projects last year. The preliminary review was part of a rep…
Newhouse leading challenger in fundraising for 2018 race
WASHINGTON D.C. — The campaign to elect Fourth Congressional District Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Yakima, to a third term in 2018 is dominating his challenger Christine Brown, who is running as a Democrat, when it comes t…
9th District telephone town hall on Thursday
Constituents of the 9th Legislative District will have an opportunity to talk with their elected officials in the state House of Representatives during a telep…
Othello wrangles with communications costs
OTHELLO — The Othello City Council agreed to consider a plan to jointly replace emergency communications equipment with Adams County, allowing the two entities to more closely coordinate and saving the city of Othe…
Foster parents' 'Bill of Rights' passes House
OLYMPIA — Legislation sponsored by 13th District Rep. Tom Dent that would provide a “Bill of Rights” for foster parents recently passed the state House of Repr…
Voters reject change to irrigation district board
OTHELLO — Patrons of the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District have voted overwhelmingly to maintain the district’s current structure for its board of directors.
Telephone town hall is Monday
Constituents of the 13th Legislative District will have an opportunity to talk with their elected officials during an hour-long telephone town hall at 6 p.m., …