Category Archives: News Release

OLYMPIA – Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), vice chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee and prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5096, released this statement following the Washington State Supreme Court’s ruling in Quinn v. Washington:  “Today’s decision is the culmination of ...

OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in the Washington State Senate introduced a sweeping, $69.2 billion operating budget proposal Thursday to increase funding for vital state services, including targeted support for behavioral health, public schools, housing and homelessness, and a historic investment ...

OLYMPIA – Sen. Marko Liias’ (D-Everett) bill to increase access to HIV medication unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday.   The Washington Department of Health receives grant funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Grant Program to operate the Early ...

The Senate Ways & Means Committee held its hearing on the Senate capital budget proposal on Monday, March 20, and members of the public had their opportunity to offer comment on the budget bill, SB 5200. Over the course of ...

OLYMPIA — The Senate unveiled its capital budget proposal Monday, potentially investing more than $125 million in projects throughout the 38th Legislative District if passed.  The suggested funding would go toward behavioral health facilities, local sports venues, community buildings and ...

OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in the Washington State Senate proposed a $7.9 billion capital construction budget today, targeting investments in affordable housing, school construction, land preservation and environmental protection, and education. The proposal, if passed, would set a record for ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate on Tuesday passed Senator Claire Wilson’s (D-Auburn) bill to remove licensing and background check fees for those entering Washington’s childcare workforce.   State law requires critical background checks when the Department of Children, Youth and Families ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate unanimously passed Sen. Claire Wilson’s (D-Auburn) bill to regulate non-public agencies that serve Washington students with disabilities Tuesday.   Senate Bill 5315 in response to a report by the Seattle Times and ProPublica, which found Washington ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to help address the health care staffing shortage by mitigating unmanageable patient loads and worker burnout passed the Senate floor Monday.  Senate Bill 5236, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), requires hospitals to submit staffing plans ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate took a critical step to address Washington’s healthcare workforce shortage by passing Sen. Annette Cleveland’s (D-Vancouver) bill to remove barriers for retired nurses wanting to return to patient care.   Currently, nurses in the state retirement system ...