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OLYMPIA — A bill to continue a statewide program to improve active transportation connectivity in overburdened communities unanimously passed the Senate Thursday.  Senate Bill 6283, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would eliminate the expiration date for the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program, which is set to end in 2027. Williams, a Black community organizer and advocate, worked to address historic injustices created by highway projects in the mid-century. She led the effort to reconnect her Spokane neighborhood after Interstate 90 geographically split it in half.  "Sandy dedicated ...

OLYMPIA – Workers would gain protection against employers who seek to force them to attend meetings where they are required to listen to the employer’s opinions on religious or political matters, under legislation passed by the Senate today. SB 5778 would make Washington the sixth state in the nation to prohibit employers from disciplining or firing employees who refuse to attend such meetings. “Workers are hired to do a job. Going to work should not obligate a worker to listen to their employer's views on religious and political matters,” said Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), chair of the ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate today unanimously passed legislation to block unscrupulous lenders who are partnering with out-of-state banks to evade Washington’s limits on interest rates. SB 6025, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), makes any attempt to evade the provisions of Washington’s Consumer Loan Act a violation of the act. “Our state’s Consumer Loan Act does a good job of protecting consumers and making sure there is clarity for lenders and borrowers,” said Stanford. “But some companies are partnering with out-of-state banks and using structures that allow them to get around the act. This bill makes sure our ...

OLYMPIA – Workers in Washington state would gain protections against employer-imposed noncompetition agreements, under legislation passed on a 29-20 vote in the Senate. SB 5935, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), provides a range of protections to workers in response to real-life situations that have arisen since the passage of landmark 2019 legislation restricting the use of noncompete clauses in Washington.  Consumers benefit too, as they will be able to follow their favorite car mechanic, doctor, or other service provider who moves to a new location. “Noncompete clauses in contracts hurt workers and stifle competition,” said Stanford. “Workers ...

OLYMPIA — A bill carrying the weight of lives lost and the hopes of a community yearning for justice passed the Senate on Tuesday on a 49 to 0 vote.  SB 6009, sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), prohibits the dangerous and inhumane practice of hog-tying, a practice unfortunately still allowed by some law enforcement jurisdictions.  Four years ago, Manuel Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man from Tacoma, died after spending the final moments of his life hog-tied and pleading for breath. Trudeau was motivated by the impact the story of his death has ...

OLYMPIA — Communities near Paine Field in Everett suffer from some of the worst air quality in the state. Sen. Marko Liias grew up nearby in a neighborhood overburdened by pollution. This experience was, in part, the motivation behind his sponsorship of Senate Bill 6114, which cleared the Senate Transportation Committee Monday.  The bill requires airport operators to make sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends available to noncommercial, private jet owners with the goal of ultimately having all jet owners in Washington use this renewable fuel. To qualify, fuel blends must include a ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to continue a statewide program to improve active transportation connectivity in overburdened communities was heard in the Senate Transportation Committee Thursday.  Senate Bill 6283, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would eliminate the expiration date for the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program, which is set to end in 2027. Williams, a Black community organizer and advocate, worked to address historic injustices created by highway projects in the mid-century. She led the effort to reconnect her Spokane neighborhood after Interstate 90 geographically split it in half.  “Sandy dedicated her ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to increase students’ access to free meals was heard in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee Monday.  Senate Bill 5964, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would require all school districts to provide breakfast and lunch without charge to any requesting students, beginning with the 2024-25 school year.  Nobles said for current free school meals programs, income eligibility for a household of four is $55,500 — this means two parents making minimum wage would be ineligible. While the cost of school meals for a family with ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to reduce property taxes for lower-value homes was heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee Thursday.   Senate Bill 6249, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), would decrease property taxes for homeowners starting in 2027 by providing a tax break of $100,000 or 60% of the median home value in the county, whichever is more. It also establishes a state funding mechanism to assist counties with the cost of administering the exemption.   “By providing a significant exemption, we are shifting the disproportionate share of the property ...