Category Archives: News Release

12 Mar
0

Legislature doubles funding to respond to coronavirus

OLYMPIA – As the 2020 Legislative session came to a close, lawmakers increased emergency coronavirus funding from $100 million to $200 million. With the passage of House Bill 2965, a total of $175 million will be directed to state and ...

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11 Mar
0

Takko secures $700,000 to cut traffic congestion in Aberdeen

The City of Aberdeen will receive $700,000 for the US 12 Highway-Rail Separation Project, thanks to a provision added to the Legislature’s final transportation budget by Sen. Dean Takko (D-Longview). The money will fund preliminary work for an overpass and ...

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11 Mar
0

Legislature doubles funding to respond to coronavirus

OLYMPIA – The Legislature approved the 2020 supplemental operating budget today as the 60-day legislative session ended on time. In a late addition, lawmakers increased emergency coronavirus funding from $100 million to $200 million. With the passage of House Bill ...

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05 Mar
0

Governor approves ban on ‘panic defense’ in LGBTQ assault cases

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law today a bill that will prevent defendants from citing a victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation — the so-called “panic defense” — to justify a violent assault. House Bill 1687 was introduced ...

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27 Feb
0

Senate passes budget focused on homelessness, working families

OLYMPIA – The 2020 supplemental operating budget (SB 6168) passed today by the Senate directs an additional $115 million to critical investments to address the state’s homelessness crisis. The Senate proposal was approved on a 33-16 vote and includes nearly ...

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25 Feb
0

Senate transportation budget addresses I-976 funding crisis, restarts stuck projects

The Senate on Tuesday unveiled the 2020 supplemental transportation budget. Normally a document used to make minor tweaks and updates to the statewide transportation needs, this version of the supplemental budget is introduced at a time when Washington’s transportation funding ...

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24 Feb
0

Senate budget proposal targets homelessness, early learning and childcare, climate resiliency

OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats today unveiled their 2020 supplemental operating budget, proposing to invest an additional $115 million this year to directly address the state’s homelessness crisis. “This is a realistic, sustainable and responsible budget that will make a difference ...

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22 Jan
0

Senate passes Wilson’s comprehensive sexual health education bill

The teaching of science-based, age-appropriate sexual health education would be expanded to more school districts and grade levels, under legislation passed today by the Senate. “Some people hear the words ‘sex education’ and mistake the focus of the curriculum, which ...

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21 Jan
0

Legislature honors Franklin on Senate floor, celebrates oral history

A groundbreaking former state lawmaker has chronicled her experiences in the Legislature in a biographical oral history that will be celebrated at a book-signing reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma. ...

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20 Jan
0

Wilson bill would address critical needs of early learners

Early learners would get the assistance and support they need to avoid falling behind their peers in kindergarten and throughout life, under legislation heard today by the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee. “Not everyone is ready to learn ...

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