In the News

Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, said she felt for Clayton but remained wary of going back on the deal legislators came up with back in 2021 when the agricultural overtime law passed. “I’m not open to going backward on overtime pay,” she said. “I’m not open to repealing or stepping away from farmworkers ...

SEATAC, Wash. — The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is at the center of new legislation aimed at improving life for residents nearby. At 9 a.m. on Monday, State Senator Karen Keiser and Representative Tina Orwall held a press conference on House Bill 2103. It would require port districts to use levy money to mitigate noise, pollution, and adverse health impacts.

Washington may become one of a few states that allow striking workers to qualify for unemployment benefits under certain conditions. Under House Bill 5777, workers who walk off the job will qualify for unemployment if employers lock them out of their place of employment. Lockouts are one way management can pressure a striking workforce during contract negotiations. Workers experiencing lockouts would ...

KENT, Wash. - Leaders of the City of Kent will be asking state lawmakers to give them authority to increase a local sales tax to hire more police officers. In the city’s only proposal for the 2024 legislative session, the bill would allow city council the option to impose a .3% sales tax to fund public safety. This equates to three ...

Washington state lawmakers are drafting plans in the new year to support small businesses that are targeted by burglars using stolen vehicles to break into stores. The nonprofit, Cannabis Alliance reports there has been an uptick in these crimes over the past three years, and they believe there are many that go unreported as impacted businesses try to move past it. ...

A positive test for cannabis can no longer disqualify you for most jobs in Washington state. What's happening: A new law that took effect Monday bans most employers from denying someone a job based on a drug screening that turns up traces of cannabis. Why it matters: Inactive THC metabolites from cannabis can remain in urine samples for days or weeks, long ...

As Washington’s local-news fellowship takes shape, one thing is already clear. The program, which is placing eight journalists at local news outlets starting early next year, will provide just a fraction of what’s needed to restore and sustain essential, civic news coverage. That profound need was apparent in 40 applications from news outlets vying for the eight fellows, who will be placed ...

At a January 2020 hearing for State Sen. Karen Keiser’s first insulin cost-sharing bill, physicians and patients testified to the high cost of the drug that keeps them alive. Kevin Wren of patient advocacy group Insulin 4 All described the impossible choices people with diabetes are forced to make when they can’t afford insulin, including limiting their intake of the ...

Biden’s fallen short on his health-care promises. Some states are trying to control costs themselves. President Biden and his Democratic allies made big promises about health care on the campaign trail and beyond. He’s backed the public option, a government-run insurance plan that anyone could buy if they preferred it to commercial options. He said he’d end surprise billing and tackle ...

Providing striking workers with unemployment checks. Protecting unspent gift card balances for consumers. Keeping the old name for a new state building. These are among the matters Washington lawmakers are teeing up for debate in the 2024 session. Legislators on Monday could begin pre-filing bills for introduction on the session’s first day, Jan. 8. To succeed, legislators will have to push their ...