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Legislation to make clergy members mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect passed the Washington State Senate Friday on a 28-20 vote. Currently, Washington is one of just five states in the country that does not list clergy as mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect. Senate Bill 5375, sponsored by Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle), would require clergy to report information about child abuse to law enforcement or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, with no exemption for whether it was learned during “penitential communications” – a term applicable to many religions but commonly understood as “confession” in the Catholic faith. “It’s ...

OLYMPIA — Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson (D-Everett) issued the statement below Thursday in response to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s budget savings plan:  “We appreciate the work the governor and state agencies have done to reach this point. Like them, we recognize that budget reductions are necessary and will carefully consider all the options that have been identified. But we have also reached the conclusion that reductions alone will not allow us to sustain the services Washingtonians rely on. People expect a government that remains functional and responsive, especially in times of federal instability. Read More

OLYMPIA – The Parking Reform and Modernization Act passed the Washington state Senate today on a bipartisan 40-8 vote. Senate Bill 5184 would reform rigid parking mandates set by local governments across Washington, replacing them with flexible rules that allow local businesses and developers to determine the right amount of parking based on their community’s needs. “This bill is important for expanding our housing supply and ensuring we’re building enough homes for all Washingtonians,” said Sen. Jessica Bateman (D-Olympia), the bill sponsor. “It doesn’t force anybody to build a certain way — all it does is give us ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to restrict corporate involvement in medical care decisions was heard in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee Friday.  Senate Bill 5387, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), would establish restrictions on corporate ownership and management practices that could undermine providers’ clinical decision-making authority. The bill builds on existing case law to ensure only licensed medical professionals determine how and when care is provided.  “Across the country, we’re seeing private equity firms and large corporations buy up medical practices and insert financial motives into decisions that should be ...

SEATTLE – Emily Alvarado (D-West Seattle) was selected by the King County Council Tuesday to replace former Sen. Joe Nguyễn, who was recently selected to lead the Washington State Department of Commerce. Alvarado was sworn into office shortly after.  “I’m honored to step into this new role and continue to serve my community,” Alvarado said. “Let’s get to work to make life better for the people of Washington.”   Alvarado was elected to the state House in 2022 to represent the 34th Legislative District, which includes West Seattle, Vashon Island, White Center, and west Burien. Since ...

OLYMPIA – Former Battle Ground Mayor Adrian Cortes was sworn into the Washington State Senate Monday.  “It’s an honor to represent the 18th Legislative District, and I look forward to bringing our southwest Washington values to Olympia,” Cortes (D-Battle Ground) said. “As mayor of Battle Ground, I worked to improve the residents’ lives by cutting utility taxes, making investments in public safety and roads, and passing a fiscally responsible budget. I’m ready to get to work on behalf of the 18th Legislative District, collaborating with my Senate colleagues to increase funding for schools and early ...