Category Archives: News Release

05 Mar
0

Senate President Pro Tempore to retire from WA State Legislature

OLYMPIA — Sen. Karen Keiser announced today on the Senate floor that she will retire later this year. “It has been my privilege to serve the people of the 33rd Legislative District and the people of the State of Washington ...

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04 Mar
0

Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig will not seek re-election

OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) announced today that he will not seek re-election in 2024. Billig, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2010, will finish his current term and continue to serve as majority leader ...

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01 Mar
0

House passes bill to reduce health risks from Sea-Tac Airport

OLYMPIA — Residents living near Sea-Tac International Airport, who face disproportionate health risks due to aircraft noise and pollution, could receive assistance to repair failing soundproofing for their houses under legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by the House today. ...

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29 Feb
0

House unanimously passes Stanford bill to crack down on predatory loans

OLYMPIA – Legislation to block unscrupulous lenders who are partnering with out-of-state banks to evade Washington’s limits on interest rates has now passed both the Senate and the House unanimously. SB 6025, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), makes any ...

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29 Feb
0

Bill to allow WA police to enforce tribal warrants passes House

Update March 19, 2024: The bill as described below has been signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. TVW coverage available here. OLYMPIA — People who commit crimes on tribal lands would not be able to escape justice by fleeing ...

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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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20 Feb
0

Sen. Sam Hunt announces his retirement after nearly 24 years in the Legislature

OLYMPIA – Sen. Sam Hunt (D-Olympia) announced Tuesday he will retire after his term ends in January 2025. He has served as a state senator since 2017 and before that served as a state representative in the House from 2001-2016. ...

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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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16 Feb
0

Sen. Billig, Speaker Jinkins: Three initiatives will have hearings, three will not

OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins announced Friday that public hearings will be held on Initiative 2113 (police pursuits), I-2111 (state income tax) and I-2081 (parental rights). The lawmakers also confirmed I-2117, ...

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15 Feb
0

Senate Leaders Introduce Capital Budget Proposal

Senate leaders from the Democratic and Republican caucuses today announced their 2024 capital budget proposal. The state’s capital budget funds construction and maintenance of infrastructure and physical projects. This year’s budget proposal includes major funding increases in K-12 school construction, ...

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