Karen A. Johnson will be the director of the newly created state Office of Equity. Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, applauded the appointment, which is effective March 8. “The Office of Equity Task Force benefitted tremendously from the great experience and ...
Read MoreCategory Archives: In the News
By Tina Orwall and Manka Dhingra Special to The Times Imagine you have a family member or friend who is in such emotional pain that they are struggling with suicidal thoughts and have a plan to take their life. What do ...
Read MoreThe issue of police accountability has been playing out in the Washington state Legislature over the last two weeks with bills being discussed in the House of Representatives and Senate. Discussions continue Monday, as a bill that would compel officers ...
Read MoreOLYMPIA — Openly carrying firearms or other weapons at public demonstrations and the Capitol Campus could become prohibited if a state Senate bill passes this session. In its first public hearing, the bill received some support from Democratic lawmakers and ...
Read MoreRacial equity is on the docket in state capitols this year. It’s been eight months since Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. Millions marched to declare Black lives matter and demand changes to police accountability, tactics and biases. This anti-racist movement, ...
Read MoreA number of bills concerning firearms are being considered by the Legislature this year as lawmakers in Olympia decide whether to place restrictions on high-capacity magazines, semi-automatic rifles and the open carrying of guns in some public places. Some of ...
Read MoreGreen 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. ...
Read MoreThe 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 ...
Read MoreSenator 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), ...
Read MoreOLYMPIA — 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 ...
Read More