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Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig on Tuesday released the statement below in response to the apparent impending overturning by the US Supreme Court of the landmark Roe v Wade decision which for nearly 50 years has guaranteed constitutionally protected abortion rights: "In Washington state, our Democratic majorities have reinforced laws that guarantee a woman's right to an abortion. But even though our state was prepared for this erosion of rights, now that this moment has apparently arrived, it is no less shocking. For the majority of my life, I have watched the Supreme Court expand and reinforce ...

Citing “strong fiscal governance” and “strong fiscal management practices,” the nation’s top credit rating agencies agree that the work of Washington’s budget writers should result in the state maintaining its strong credit ratings. Moody’s (Aaa), S&P (AA+) and Fitch (AA+) pointed to Washington’s fiscal management, forecasting system and high budget reserves among the reasons for their decision to award the state strong credit ratings in their latest assessments. (Read the Moody's report here) Washington has retained a top credit rating among states despite pandemic-related challenges to the global supply chain and inflationary pressures. Senate and House budget writers and ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2022 Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, today released the following statement in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s partial veto of SB 5901: “The governor’s decision to partially veto SB 5901 — to strike a line that would save our neighbors money and broaden access to a tax exemption for small businesses — is a short-sighted attempt to apply a Seattle-centric, one-size-fits-all policy to our whole state. “This bipartisan bill made it to the governor’s desk with broad support because it was an overdue investment in our communities beyond the I-5 corridor. Now, with this partial ...

A new analysis from nonpartisan legislative staff shows that 94.48 percent of bills that passed the legislature in 2022 were bipartisan. Of the 308 total bills that passed both chambers in 2022, 291 had the ‘yes’ vote of at least one Republican senator or representative. This work builds on bipartisan efforts from previous years:

• In 2021, 310 of 334 bills passed with at least one Republican representative or senator voting yes (92.81 percent)
• In the 2019-20 biennium, 812 of 854 bills passed with at least one Republican representative or senator voting yes (95.08 percent)

• The lists include only ...
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Olympia– Legislation to expand college affordability for military veterans, active military members, and their families by applying Washington state residency more broadly was signed into law by the governor today. “Our servicemembers have been facing a massive and costly barrier to education,” said Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), sponsor of Senate Bill 5874. “When I was approached with this idea, I knew it was a clear solution. Having grown up in a military family, I know how helpful this would have been for my family.” The new law expands residency status for all active duty, veteran, and dependent students who ...

OLYMPIA –Today, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the Move Ahead WA transportation package, investing in a sustainable and inclusive transportation system for Washington residents. Years of community engagement led to approval of the 16-year, nearly $17 billion package to meet the needs of all Washingtonians. Over the last two years, Democrats hosted more than 90 listening sessions across the state to hear what transportation projects and investments Washington residents need for a safe and accessible transportation future. Legislators used these conversations to inform Move Ahead WA and develop key priorities including:

• Preserving and maintaining existing infrastructure.
• Finishing critical ...
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OLYMPIA – Legislation to limit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee today. Senate Bill 5078, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), prohibits the manufacture, sale, import or transfer of large-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The law does not prohibit the current possession of high-capacity magazines.

“My community has experienced the tragedy of gun violence firsthand,” Liias said. “After a 2016 shooting killed three young people and left another seriously injured in Mukilteo, I vowed to do everything I could to prevent more families from experiencing this ...

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Olympia– Today the governor signed into law Senate Bill 5838, sponsored by state Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), to address a diaper need for Washington families who are on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) after the bill passed nearly unanimously from the Legislature. “We have a paramount duty to ensure the safety and health of our communities,” said Nobles. “As a result of the skyrocketing prices of diapers, Washington families and children have been burdened with cost for a necessity.” The Diaper Need Act directs a monthly diaper subsidy to be distributed by the Department of Social and Health ...

OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig on Thursday released the statement below following the adjournment of the 2022 legislative session: “There is a feeling that finally, as a state and as Washingtonians, we are turning the page. “But as we turn the page, we can’t forget the lessons we have learned. The pandemic showed us how much we have by taking so much of it away. “It shuttered some businesses and brought others to the brink. It challenged our physical and mental health. It closed our schools, it cost thousands of people their jobs and many their homes. “And for ...

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Legislature gave final approval to a nearly $17 billion transportation package today.   Move Ahead Washington, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D – Everett) and Rep. Jake Fey (D – Tacoma), the respective chairs of the Senate and House transportation committees, invests $16.9 billion over 16 years in major projects throughout the state.  

“We said when this package was announced that it was a first draft, and now we’ve passed a package that incorporates the feedback we’ve received over the last month,” ...

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