Category Archives: In the News

Green Lake Strength and Conditioning can offer small classes under the current Phase One of Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 safety orders — but like most small businesses, it’s been a tough year. “We were basically shut down in April and May. ...

The 2021 session of the Legislature has kicked off with virtual participation in deference to the coronavirus. Leadership of each legislative session usually comes from the four corners, which are the leaders of each house and party. Democrats include Speaker ...

Senator Manka Dhingra is the Chair of the Senate Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care. Today, the Committee held public hearings for three bills: (Concerning involuntary commitment), SB 5071 (Creating transition teams to assist specified persons under civil commitment), ...

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate voted Wednesday to extend Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency orders until the COVID-19 state of emergency is over, despite stiff Republican opposition. In the Legislature’s first virtual floor debate, Republicans introduced two amendments to the ...

New national suicide hotline number to start in 2022 A measure introduced by state Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, will help ensure suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis services are accessible to everyone statewide. The bipartisan National Suicide Hotline Designation ...

Covid-19 relief is a top priority for this year’s legislature, and Republicans and Democrats generally agree it will be necessary to get aid out as soon as possible. The parties are split, however, when it comes to increasing some taxes ...

Black Lives Matter Seattle King County (BLMSKC) continues to push the issue of equality under the law. But instead of the streets where protests are normally held, they are bringing their fight for equity under law and police accountability directly ...

Leaders from the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses — Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, House Majority Floor Leader Monica Stonier, and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Manka Dhingra — gathered Wednesday for a virtual press conference to discuss ...

Increased security is expected around the Capitol building in Olympia Jan. 11 for the start of the 2021 Legislative session. The decision to add security follows the storming of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C, and incursions onto the property ...

Washington’s Legislature convenes in Olympia Monday for a new session that will be unlike any other in state history. State lawmakers plan to conduct most of their 105-day session remotely, holding hearings on legislation and even voting via web conferencing. ...