Category Archives: In The News

Washington youth in extended foster care will no longer have to reimburse the state using their own disability or survivor benefits under a new bill signed into law Wednesday. Senate Bill 5911, sponsored by Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-West Seattle, and ...

OLYMPIA — Washington is one step closer to ending the practice of intercepting federal benefits from young adults receiving foster care services under a bill the Senate unanimously passed Friday. If it becomes law, the proposal would ensure foster youth ages 18 to ...

Here at the Observer we like to flag big tax bills moving fast and quiet — and ones that lurk low and deep, poised to resurface late in the session. On that latter note, see SB 6173, aka the Walmart tax. Sen. Emily ...

SEATTLE — Washington landlords can no longer raise rents by more than 10% per year under landmark legislation Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law Wednesday. Effective immediately, House Bill 1217 caps residential rent hikes during a 12-month period at 7% plus inflation, ...

OLYMPIA — House lawmakers approved a controversial measure Monday evening to prohibit landlords from raising a tenant’s rent more than 7% in a 12-month period. House Bill 1217 passed 53-42 and will now head to the Senate for consideration. Under the ...

It has become increasingly hard for first-time buyers to purchase a home in Washington. One proposed solution heard in the Senate Housing Committee on Feb. 5 would limit large investors’ single-family home purchases. Senate Bill 5496 sponsored by state Sen. ...

If you are among the more than 1 million renters in Washington state you’re potentially as few as 60 days from a rent increase — of any amount the landlord determines — under state law. There currently is no cap ...