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Nobles named chair of Senate Higher Education, Workforce Development Committee

Nobles named chair of Senate Higher Education, Workforce Development Committee

OLYMPIA — Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) was named chair of the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee following a vote of the Senate Wednesday.  “I’m honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to step into a greater leadership role,” Nobles said. “Education is the cornerstone of my life, and that passion fuels my work in the Legislature. I’m so excited to lead initiatives that not only enhance access to high-quality education and workforce development but reflect a genuine dedication to fostering a society where every Washingtonian can thrive.”  Nobles, who previously served ...

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Dhingra: bill represents a ‘victim-centered, trauma-informed’ response to sexual assault

Dhingra: bill represents a ‘victim-centered, trauma-informed’ response to sexual assault

OLYMPIA — An omnibus bill to promote a victim-centered, trauma-informed response to sexual assault in Washington’s legal system was heard in the Senate Law & Justice Committee on Monday. SB 5937 streamlines eligibility for crime victim benefits, covers some of victims’ costs for forensic examinations, expands protections to more victims, improves state and local teams to respond to sexual assault, and ensures that children age 13 and up can consent to forensic sexual examinations and examinations for sexually transmitted infections — consistent with current law on the age of medical consent. “SB 5937 draws on the recommendations of ...

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Nobles bill would expand wage discrimination protections in WA Equal Pay, Opportunities Act

Nobles bill would expand wage discrimination protections in WA Equal Pay, Opportunities Act

OLYMPIA — A bill to help close gaps in wage and advancement opportunities among Washington workers, particularly women and workers in other protected classes, was heard in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee Monday.  Senate Bill 5894, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would expand the workplace rights and protections in the Washington Equal Pay and Advancement Opportunities Act to include protected classes beyond gender, such as age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any ...

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Nobles bill would align eligibility time frames across state, federal financial aid programs

Nobles bill would align eligibility time frames across state, federal financial aid programs

Legislation to allow students to receive state financial aid for the same amount of time they can receive federal aid was heard in the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee Friday.  Senate Bill 5904, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would align the maximum eligibility time frames for the Washington College Grant, College Bound Scholarship, and Passport to Careers programs with that of the federal Pell Grant at 150% — the equivalent of 18 full-time academic quarters.   More than 6,800 Washington students in the 2023–24 academic year are on track to ...

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Liias bill will keep bees safe from dangerous pesticides

Liias bill will keep bees safe from dangerous pesticides

Washington’s bees are in trouble. Climate change, chemicals and other factors have caused our state’s bee population to decline at a rate faster than the national average, with colonies decreasing 9% from April 2022 to April 2023. One major contributor to the shrinking bee population is pesticides. That’s why Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) is sponsoring Senate Bill 5972, which will end the domestic outdoor use of pesticides that contain neonicotinoids. This type of insecticide is absorbed into plants and can be present in pollen and nectar, with deadly effects for the pollinators that feed on them. The bill ...

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WA LGBTQ Caucus responds to SCOTUS decision to leave conversion therapy ban intact 

WA LGBTQ Caucus responds to SCOTUS decision to leave conversion therapy ban intact 

Members of the Washington State LGBTQ Caucus commend the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to not hear a challenge to Washington’s ban on conversion therapy and issued the following statement Tuesday: 

“Conversion therapy is a harmful and discredited practice that lacks scientific validity and often causes severe psychological and emotional distress.   “This crucial decision upholds the state’s commitment to protecting LGTBQ+ individuals and reinforces the importance of promoting the mental health and well-being of all Washingtonians.   “Despite dissents from three justices, this decision signals a continued ...

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Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus Stands Against Hate, Advocates for Unity and Action

Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus Stands Against Hate, Advocates for Unity and Action

November 20, 2023 The Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus issued the following statement in response to the rising hate in our communities, expressing concern about the far-reaching effects of escalating tensions and conflicts across the world: “In recent weeks, our hearts have grown heavy witnessing devastating violence and conflict, which have deeply affected members of our community. The ripple effect of this international conflict has been felt in Washington state, leading to a troubling rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.  “As members of the Washington State Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC), we stand with our ...

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More than $108 million refunded to Washington families through Working Families Tax Credit  

More than $108 million refunded to Washington families through Working Families Tax Credit  

More than $108 million has been refunded to Washington families through the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC).   The WFTC (House Bill 1297) is a sales and use tax remittance rebate to support working families who pay a disproportionate amount of their income in taxes. It is designed to put up to $1,200 per year back in the pockets of nearly 400,000 taxpayers, helping to balance Washington’s upside-down tax code.   One in six Washington households is eligible for the tax credit and one in four children will directly benefit from the ...

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Senate Democrats set committee membership ahead of 2024 session

Senate Democrats set committee membership ahead of 2024 session

OLYMPIA – The Senate Democratic Caucus today voted to confirm committee membership positions for the 2024 legislative session. Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) was selected to serve as chair of the Ways & Means Committee. Robinson had served as vice chair of the committee since 2020. Sen. Joe Nguyễn (D-White Center) will now serve as vice chair of the committee while Sen. Emily Randall (D-Bremerton) joins Ways & Means and comes off of Transportation. Sen. Drew Hansen, who was appointed to the Senate in August, joins three committees. Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island) will serve on Higher Education & Workforce Development, Labor ...

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Robinson elected Senate Ways & Means Committee chair

Robinson elected Senate Ways & Means Committee chair

Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) was elected chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee following a vote of the Senate Democratic Caucus on Thursday.  “I am honored to have the trust of the Senate Democratic Caucus in being chosen for this key position and feel well prepared to step into this role, given my knowledge of the issues and experience writing and negotiating state budgets,” Robinson said.  “Washington state has a healthy economy. We have shown time and again through hard work and innovation our state is leading the way. That said, there ...

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