In the News

Bainbridge Island Review: Security, budget COVID-19 key issues as state legislators start session

Bainbridge Island Review: Security, budget COVID-19 key issues as state legislators start session

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 of the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia Wednesday, where protestors forced open ...

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KXLY: WA Legislature to start 2021 session with heightened security

KXLY: WA Legislature to start 2021 session with heightened security

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. But first, they need to convene in person so they can adopt ...

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The Seattle Times: Washington Legislature to convene amid safety concerns in largely virtual session

The Seattle Times: Washington Legislature to convene amid safety concerns in largely virtual session

Washington’s 2021 legislative session was already bound to be as challenging as any in state history. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers have arranged Zoom-powered proceedings, with a limited number of legislators allowed at any one time on the House and Senate floors, and the Capitol closed to the general public. Their task ...

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Pandemic-related relief tops state budget priority list

Pandemic-related relief tops state budget priority list

Desperately needed COVID-19 relief is a top priority for this year’s state Legislature, and Republicans and Democrats generally agree it will be necessary to get that aid out as soon as possible. The parties are split, however, when it comes to increasing some taxes to erase a revenue shortfall. House Speaker Laurie ...

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NW News Network: Five things to know about Washington’s 2021 legislative session

NW News Network: Five things to know about Washington’s 2021 legislative session

Amid the ongoing pandemic and threats by far-right protesters to "occupy" the Capitol, Washington lawmakers will convene Monday for what will ultimately be a mostly remote 2021 session with a focus on the ongoing response to COVID-19, police reform, addressing climate change and writing a two-year state budget. Democrats have solid ...

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PubliCola: Police Accountability Is On the Agenda in the Upcoming Legislative Session

PubliCola: Police Accountability Is On the Agenda in the Upcoming Legislative Session

On December 24, Washington State Reps. Debra Entenman (D-47) and Jesse Johnson (D-20) filed legislation that would set statewide restrictions on law enforcement tactics, including bans on chokeholds, tear gas and the use of unleashed police dogs for arrests. Less than a week later, state senators Manka Dhingra (D-45) and ...

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Patch: Washington's 2021 Legislative Agenda Includes New Police Measures

Patch: Washington's 2021 Legislative Agenda Includes New Police Measures

OLYMPIA, WA — Democratic legislators on Tuesday filed three bills related to police accountability ahead of lawmakers convening an unusual 105-day session next week. Due to ongoing coronavirus precautions, this year's 105-day legislative session will largely take place remotely, including most debates and votes in both chambers. The Seattle Times reports ...

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Seattle Times: New laws lead some Washington prosecutors to rethink three-strike life sentences

Seattle Times: New laws lead some Washington prosecutors to rethink three-strike life sentences

Clark County Judge James Ladley couldn’t seem to believe what he was hearing. Before him was John Letellier, a 47-year-old Navy veteran accused of what a former federal prosecutor would later call a “chippy robbery” of a Subway store, netting $107 and a $5 gift card. Chippy or no, a conviction ...

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TNT Editorial: The impact of Pierce County’s pandemic-related gun sales may surprise you

TNT Editorial: The impact of Pierce County’s pandemic-related gun sales may surprise you

Not all businesses have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the nation gun stores are doing brisk business, and here in Pierce County, firearm sales have more than doubled in 2020. Inventory is flying off the shelves, according to Damien Wongwai, owner and operator of Bull’s Eye Indoor Range ...

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The Center Square: Washington lawmakers eye stricter standards for hiring, firing, and trying cops

The Center Square: Washington lawmakers eye stricter standards for hiring, firing, and trying cops

Washington lawmakers are looking to make it harder for police officers to take the stand in court or get rehired if their name is on a Brady list. Brady lists are disclosures of members of law enforcement whose involvement in a case as an arresting officer, investigator, or witness is in ...

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