In the News

If you’ve been in Seattle for any length of time recently, you’ve probably seen a land acknowledgement on a building, at an event, or in artwork created here: “We are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.” Nice words to say! ...

Democrat Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation in 2019 making Washington the first state in the country to approve composting as an alternative to burying or cremating human remains. Though the new law took effect in 2020, it has been a slow rollout. Democrat State Senator Jamie Pedersen originally sponsored the bill. He told NBC that the legislation was inspired by his ...

When Washington state’s part-time lawmakers kick off the 105-day 2021 legislative session in a mostly remote environment, it’ll be amid a storm of challenges. Some, such as the ongoing pandemic, are unique to the moment. Others — systemic inequity, overwhelming calls for police accountability, climate change — have long existed. All this, while under a shadow cast by recent events that ...

Senator Jamie Pedersen, Chair of Washington Senate Democratic Campaign (WSDC) was optimistic on election night that his caucus would expand it’s majority. Speaking to Wire publisher DJ Wilson on election night, he said that the WSDC targeted five districts this cycle as potential pick-up opportunities: the 28th, 10th, 25th, 17th, and the 16th. As of the latest vote totals, Democrats lead in ...

As police reform advocates look to sustain this summer’s public outrage, the state Legislature is taking a second look at overhauling Washington’s peace officer decertification system. That certification is required to be an officer in Washington, and revoking it can permanently take away a cop’s badge and gun. But due to weaknesses in the process, the state rarely takes that action, decertifying ...

Sen. Jamie Pedersen represents the 43rd District in the Legislature and serves as the chair of the Law & Justice Committee. He also serves on the Ways & Means Committee, the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, and the Rules Committee. I called Sen. Pedersen earlier this week for his take on a few topics animating the policy conversation surrounding economic recovery in Washington State. ...

Our community is reeling with anger and frustration following the killing of yet another unarmed, non-threatening black man by police officers, this time in Minneapolis. We are heartsick at the senseless killings of George Floyd, Manuel Ellis, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery and the sense that we have made so little progress as a country in combatting centuries of systemic ...

By  Jamie Pedersen Special to The Times