In The News

New protections for domestic workers in Washington will take effect next year under a bill Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Monday. Before the bill signing, close to 100 people gathered on the north steps of the state Capitol to celebrate the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

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 ...

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, ...

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. ...

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.

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 ...

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 ...

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 County where ...

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 ...

In the past few years, our recycling system has been challenged by changing recycled material markets, lack of investment in infrastructure and public education and a patchwork of different policies and processes regarding how we deal with recyclable waste across different communities. This legislative session, Washington lawmakers are proposing legislation that would make the producers and sellers of products and waste ...