In The News

Washington State Standard: Domestic workers would gain new protections under Washington bill

Washington State Standard: Domestic workers would gain new protections under Washington bill

Ana Rosa Bello broke down in tears as she recalled the repeated abuse she has endured as a housekeeper in Seattle. Bello described wage theft, discrimination, threats to her and her family, withheld documents, and being unfairly fired. But, as a single mother, she said she’s had no choice but to keep working and endure these conditions to provide for her ...

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Washington State Standard: WA bill would offer unemployment benefits to immigrants not authorized to work in U.S.

Washington State Standard: WA bill would offer unemployment benefits to immigrants not authorized to work in U.S.

With President-elect Donald Trump promising mass deportations when he takes office on Jan. 20, uncertainty is rising for immigrants across the U.S. State lawmakers have limited power over federal immigration enforcement. But in Washington’s upcoming legislative session, legislators will be looking at a bill to strengthen the safety net for immigrants working in the state without legal authorization. Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, ...

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The Spokesman-Review: Temporary unemployment relief for undocumented workers in WA now available

The Spokesman-Review: Temporary unemployment relief for undocumented workers in WA now available

Washington residents who don’t qualify for state unemployment benefits because of their immigration status may be eligible for weekly cash relief through a new program.... Workers across Washington deserve permanent support from the state, reads a press release about the pilot benefits fund, regardless of their citizenship status. The press release, sent out Tuesday, included a supportive statement from state Sen. ...

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Seattle Times: Making the case in Olympia for ending information sharing from WA prison officials to ICE

Seattle Times: Making the case in Olympia for ending information sharing from WA prison officials to ICE

OLYMPIA — A Senate bill aims to end the Washington Department of Corrections practice of informing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when an undocumented person is being detained in state prisons. Advocates say many are sent to immigration detention centers after serving their criminal sentence.

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Everett Herald: Transportation bill moves us ahead to greener future

Everett Herald: Transportation bill moves us ahead to greener future

This year, the Washington state Legislature has the unique opportunity to remake how our state stays connected, and how Washingtonians get where we need to go. Straying from the traditional approach of past transportation packages, Move Ahead Washington is the cleanest transportation revenue package in state history. Dedicating $5.4 billion over 16 years directly in transportation approaches that reduce emissions and ...

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YakTriNews: Voting rights bill could help Latino voters in Yakima County

YakTriNews: Voting rights bill could help Latino voters in Yakima County

State legislators are considering a bill this week amending the Washington Voting Rights Act to prevent local jurisdictions from changing voting practices in ways that do not comply with state law. Senate Bill 5597 would block illegal or discriminatory changes ahead of time by requiring preclearance with the state attorney general’s office prior to making certain changes to their voting practices. “These ...

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Yakima Herald: Yakima Valley senators vote no on WA voting rights law changes

Yakima Herald: Yakima Valley senators vote no on WA voting rights law changes

A proposal to update the Washington state Voting Rights Act and make it easier to bring forward a voting rights claim passed through the Senate this month without the support of Yakima Valley lawmakers.
Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, who sponsored the bill, said the legislation would expand access to fair representation for underrepresented communities in Washington, including in Yakima ...

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Crosscut: WA cannabis revenue could go to communities hurt by war on drugs

Crosscut: WA cannabis revenue could go to communities hurt by war on drugs

Washington’s governor wants to give hundreds of millions in cannabis tax revenues to people hindered by the war on drugs. Gov. Jay Inslee’s supplemental budget, released in December, includes a plan to redistribute $125 million annually to communities facing social and economic disparities resulting from inequities in, for example, the enforcement of criminal laws and penalties for drug ...

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NW News Network: As red states impose new restrictions on voting, blue Washington presses ahead with expansions

NW News Network: As red states impose new restrictions on voting, blue Washington presses ahead with expansions

With federal voting rights legislation stalled in Congress, majority Democrats in the Washington Legislature are contemplating an expansion of a 2018 state-level voting rights law aimed at increasing minority representation. Democrats are also advancing an automatic voter registration bill modeled after similar laws in states like Oregon and Colorado that have been credited with ...

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The Olympian: Bills to strengthen workers’ rights introduced in Washington State Legislature

The Olympian: Bills to strengthen workers’ rights introduced in Washington State Legislature

Lawmakers in the Senate Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee recognized Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday by hearing several bills that are intended to support Washington workers. Senate Bill 5835 relates to worker’s compensation benefits and is sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle. Currently, unmarried workers who file workers’ compensation claims make on average 5 percent less than their ...

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