Author Archives: simrunc

01 May
0

Bill expanding subsidy for guardians signed into law

OLYMPIA — The governor signed legislation today that will expand access to the guardianship assistance program. Senate Bill 5124, sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), allows any court-appointed guardians who are licensed foster parents to be eligible for state subsidies, ...

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20 Apr
0

Nobles bill makes reimbursement Crime Victims Compensation Program permanent for survivors of strangulation

Today, the governor signed into law Senate Bill 5070, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), to make permanent the reimbursement for the Crime Victims Compensation Program for survivors of strangulation. Legislation establishing this reimbursement first passed unanimously in 2021. “In ...

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12 Apr
0

House Passes Bill to Protect Endangered Orcas

OLYMPIA—The House of Representatives passed legislation on April 11, 2023, to safeguard the endangered orcas in the Salish Sea. Senate Bill 5371, sponsored by Senator Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) and supported by Representative Debra Lekanoff (D-Bow), received overwhelming bipartisan support through Lekanoff’s ...

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13 Feb
0

Grade schoolers would get 45 minutes of recess under bill in Olympia

Recess would be mandatory at public schools in Washington under a bill before the state Legislature. Senate Bill 5457 would require that elementary students receive at least 45 minutes of play time per day, far more than many elementary students currently receive.

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02 Feb
0

State Legislature honors Washington National Guard

The Washington State Legislature celebrated the accomplishments of the Washington National Guard during concurrent House and Senate sessions on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. “I find it to be a tremendous honor to represent the 28th District and our National Guard ...

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24 Jan
0

What if voting were not just a right, but a legally required duty?

Numerous Democrats in the Washington Legislature are backing a new proposal to make voting in elections compulsory. Citizens are required by law to cast ballots in about 25 counties, but in no other U.S. states. Republicans in Olympia described the ...

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24 Jan
0

WA bill would make school meals free for all students

Washington state is considering making school meals free to every student. That idea received wide support at a recent Senate hearing. But some opponents say it’s a bad idea. Jason Perrins, superintendent of the Chewelah School District in Stevens County, ...

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17 Jan
0

New School Recess Bill Aims to Combat Youth Mental Health Crisis

Survey Finds Large Recess Disparity, Parents Want More Recess in Washington State SEATTLE–Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023–A bill filed in the Washington State legislature last week and co-sponsored by Senators T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) and Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) would ensure students receive ...

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12 Jan
0

Riccelli, Nobles Introduce Free School Meals Bill

OLYMPIA – All K-12 students in Washington state would have access to free breakfast and lunch under proposed legislation introduced today by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) and Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane). The Washington Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HB 1238/SB ...

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09 Dec
0

Shewmake sworn in as new senator

At a ceremony in Bellingham, Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) was sworn into office today by Judge Cecily Hazelrigg with family, friends, and supporters looking on. Shewmake replaces Republican Sen. Simon Sefzik in the Senate, who was appointed to replace Sen. ...

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