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 ...
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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 ...Read More
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 ...Read More
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 ...
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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 ...
Read MoreOLYMPIA – 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,” ...Read More
OLYMPIA – Legislation to restrict the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines was approved by the Washington House of Representatives on a 55-42 vote Friday. 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 approved legislation does not ban the current possession of a high-capacity magazine. “Enough families have experienced the tragedy of gun violence in our state,” said Liias. “It is long overdue that we step up to protect Washingtonians from mass shootings. The Legislature took that step today by voting to limit high-capacity magazines, ...
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OLYMPIA — Washington would take an important step to bring down skyrocketing prescription drug prices, under a bill passed today by the House. “It’s no secret that prescription drug prices are out of control,” said Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), the bill’s sponsor. “And the data shows that when drug prices go up, people's health goes down. When people can’t afford their prescriptions, they cut back, or skip doses, or cut pills in two, and that leads to more suffering and even death.” “The goal of this bill is to restrain egregious price increases for lifesaving drugs that ...
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OLYMPIA - The Washington State Senate today approved the spending portion of Move Ahead Washington, a 16-year transportation investment package. Senate Bill 5689, the Supplemental Transportation Budget, invests primarily in ferries, backfilling of Connecting WA projects, and preservation and maintenance while Senate Bill 5975 funds carbon reduction initiatives.
“We are on the verge of a new day in Washington – one that puts people, our environment, and working families at the center of every policy decision we make,” said Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), chair of ...Read More
OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats today introduced several measures aimed at reinvigorating the state’s small business economy while also providing free incentives for families to get outside and enjoy Washington. The proposal includes a tax cut for more than 125,000 small businesses across the state, waives entrance fees for county fairs and state fairs, and makes the Discover Pass available for free for a year starting July 1. The Senate has already approved measures to make transit and ferry fares free for youth and to reduce tolls on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. “As we start to look beyond the pandemic, ...
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