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State capitols across the nation stepped up security Monday, deploying National Guard units, SWAT teams and extra police officers while several legislatures convened amid heightened safety concerns following last week’s violence at the U.S. Capitol.

The protections came as the FBI issued a bulletin warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee activated hundreds of National Guard troops to help state police keep order at the state Capitol. At least two people were arrested, ...

A new 2021 Washington law caps the cost of insulin at $100 per month. Under the new law, health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2021 must cap insulin copayments, deductibles, and other forms of cost-sharing at $100 per 30-day supply. State Sen. Karen Keiser, a Democrat who represents south King County, filed Senate Bill 6087 in late 2019. The companion House Bill 2662 was sponsored by Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, a Republican in eastern Washington. The Washington Legislature passed HB 2662 in March 2020. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill into law on April 3, 2020 to take effect Jan. 1, 2021.

State Sen. Marko Liias, who represents the 21st District that includes parts of Edmonds and Lynnwood, was unanimously reelected as majority floor leader by his Senate Democratic Caucus peers on Monday, a position he has held since 2017. “It’s an honor to continue as majority floor leader,” said Liias, a Democrat who lives in Lynnwood. “Senate Democrats approach every policy discussion with the philosophy of putting people first, and that’s exactly what we need to do this session to help struggling people and families through the pandemic.” Read more here....

Shukura Wilford hasn't lost her job, but that doesn't mean she isn't struggling to pay her rent. Were it not for the state's ban on evictions, Wilford, a single mother of three who works at Seattle Public Schools, wonders what else she'd have to give up to balance her books. Heat? Groceries? Car payments?

Last year,  a woman in Burien called 911 to report her sister’s boyfriend was holding her and her family hostage. When the 911 operator attempted to gain more information, the woman, sounding panicked, said: “He’s going to take my phone,” then abruptly hung up. 

Police raced to the address provided, but when they arrived, they found no one being held against their will, according to a King County Sheriff's Office report obtained by Crosscut. The couple living there had no idea who had called. 

It wasn't until the next ...

Doctors and medical students performing pelvic exams on unconscious women without permission: It may sound crazy, but it’s actually been a widespread practice across the country for decades. It’s an invasive and personal medical procedure that even in the best of circumstances, can be traumatic for some women, especially survivors of sexual abuse. But if you think that means doctors have to first get a woman’s permission to do such as exam, you’d be wrong. Read more here: https://mynorthwest.com/1739653/pelvic-exams-bill-washington-state/

Moving to end a threat of international trade sanctions against Boeing, lawmakers in Washington State on Wednesday introduced legislation that would eliminate tax breaks for the plane maker.

The World Trade Organization concluded last year that Boeing benefited from unfair subsidies from the state worth roughly $100 million a year.

State Senator Marko Liias, a sponsor of the bill, said the proposal had come from Boeing itself. The Legislature is expected to act before its session ends on March 12.

OLYMPIA — Lawmakers have backed down from their proposal to ban flavored vape products and address the epidemic of youth vaping and nicotine addiction.

How high is too high when it comes to cannabis usage in Washington state?

The answer might come from a bill that’s been introduced in this year’s legislative session.

HB 2546, sponsored by Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, along with 21 secondary sponsors, calls for a new THC limit on recreational sales of cannabis concentrates to match the 10-percent limit already imposed on infused edibles.

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/marijuana/article239575968.html

OLYMPIA — Lawmakers are talking again about reducing the motor vehicle excise tax that helps fund Sound Transit expansion.

But leaders of the regional transit authority are cautioning, again, against leaving them without an adequate stream of dollars to build promised light rail projects.

It’s a familiar discourse. The past three legislative sessions ended without lawmakers doing anything to provide a modicum of financial relief for vehicle owners.

This session may bring a different conclusion, thanks to passage of Initiative 976.

Read more ...