Author Archives: oheersink

07 Mar
0

Transportation budget that prioritizes public safety, preservation and ferries heads to governor’s desk

OLYMPIA — The Legislature on Thursday passed the supplemental transportation budget (HB 2134), a $14.6 billion plan which prioritizes public safety, preservation and maintenance of existing infrastructure and investments in the ferry system.   “After a thorough negotiation process, I am ...

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07 Mar
0

State supplemental budget makes huge investments in addressing fentanyl, boosts commitments to students, housing, and climate action

OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in both chambers unveiled an agreed-to budget that puts Washington’s families and students first. The supplemental budget, which builds on last year’s biennial budget, also makes the state’s biggest commitment ever in combating substance use disorder ...

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20 Feb
0

Transportation budget focuses on ferries, traffic safety, green investments

OLYMPIA — On Tuesday, Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias unveiled the 2024 supplemental transportation budget, Senate Bill 5947, a $14.6 billion proposal which prioritizes public safety, preservation and maintenance of existing infrastructure and investments in the ferry system.  “Our ...

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19 Feb
0

Senate budget proposal emphasizes investments in behavioral health, public schools

OLYMPIA — Washington State Senate budget leaders unveiled a $71.7 billion supplemental operating budget plan Monday that increases support for behavioral health and public schools.  The budget adds roughly $1.9 billion in new spending to the two-year budget passed by lawmakers ...

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09 Feb
0

Senate passes Nobles bill to create more affordable homeownership opportunities

OLYMPIA — A bill to create more affordable homeownership opportunities passed the Senate on a 48-1 vote Friday.  Senate Bill 6173, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), aims to expand the production of affordable housing by enabling local municipalities to ...

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09 Feb
0

Senate passes Nobles bill aligning eligibility time frames across state, federal financial aid programs

OLYMPIA — Legislation to allow students to receive state financial aid for the same amount of time they can receive federal aid passed the Senate on a 34-14 vote Friday.  Senate Bill 5904, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would align ...

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09 Feb
0

WA LGBTQ Caucus responds to recent raids at Seattle-area gay bars

The Washington State Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released the following statement Friday: “As members of the Washington State Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus, we were deeply impacted by the unacceptable actions taken by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) on Jan. 26 and ...

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08 Feb
0

Senate passes Nobles bill continuing program to improve active transportation connectivity in overburdened communities

OLYMPIA — A bill to continue a statewide program to improve active transportation connectivity in overburdened communities unanimously passed the Senate Thursday.  Senate Bill 6283, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would eliminate the expiration date for the Sandy Williams ...

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05 Feb
0

Liias’ sustainable aviation fuels bill clears committee

OLYMPIA — Communities near Paine Field in Everett suffer from some of the worst air quality in the state. Sen. Marko Liias grew up nearby in a neighborhood overburdened by pollution. This experience was, in part, the motivation behind his ...

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01 Feb
0

Nobles bill would continue program to improve active transportation connectivity in overburdened communities

OLYMPIA — A bill to continue a statewide program to improve active transportation connectivity in overburdened communities was heard in the Senate Transportation Committee Thursday.  Senate Bill 6283, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would eliminate the expiration date for ...

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