In the News

Wenatchee World: Senate passes carbon cap after debate on green energy, transportation

Wenatchee World: Senate passes carbon cap after debate on green energy, transportation

OLYMPIA — A controversial statewide cap on carbon emissions scraped through the Legislature in a 25-24 vote late April 8 after lawmakers passed a Climate Commitment Act that majority Democrats say will boost the state’s economy and address a looming climate problem.
“It’s good for our grandchildren’s children,” Sen. Reuven Carlyle, the bill’s sponsor, told the Senate during a six-hour debate on the bill.
The program is estimated to cost $27.3 million and will likely bring in $228.5 million ...

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AP: Activists want change to debt-based license suspension bill

AP: Activists want change to debt-based license suspension bill

SEATTLE (AP) — Lawmakers in Washington state are moving ahead with a bill that aims to end the suspension of driver’s licenses for failure to pay traffic tickets — despite opposition from some of the activists who pushed for the change in the first place. The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and other groups say it’s important to stop arresting and prosecuting people for so-called “driving while poor,” but that an amendment added just before the measure passed ...

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Crosscut: WA looks to end driver’s license suspensions over unpaid debt

Crosscut: WA looks to end driver’s license suspensions over unpaid debt

From 2014 to 2019, Michelle McClendon was without a driver’s license after she could not afford to pay a parking ticket she incurred while living out of her Toyota Camry. She also could not afford to be relicensed, so when public transit could not get McClendon to school, work or the grocery store, she would take a chance driving without a license.

She would pray on her way to work, asking in her words that “the universe be gracious” to her. ...

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Crosscut: Police accountability agenda loses some teeth in WA Legislature

Crosscut: Police accountability agenda loses some teeth in WA Legislature

After last year’s Black Lives Matter protests, Washington state lawmakers set out to enact a sweeping collection of police accountability reforms in 2021.

Some of those measures are advancing swiftly through the Legislature, including a proposal to ban chokeholds and a bill to beef up the state’s system for decertifying police officers.

But other police reform bills have stalled — including a plan to end the qualified immunity that can shield officers from civil lawsuits and a measure to stop arbitrators from ...

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Bellingham Herald: Whatcom Prosecutor: ‘We must stop using courts and laws to act as debt collectors’

Bellingham Herald: Whatcom Prosecutor: ‘We must stop using courts and laws to act as debt collectors’

(Photo:  COURTESY TO THE BELLINGHAM HERALD) The role of a prosecuting attorney is to hold individuals accountable for their actions and keep Washingtonians safe. Every day, I and my staff hold individuals accountable for crimes against our state and those within it. It is important that we spend as much of our time and resources as we can on this mission and providing safety and security to victims. However, it is not our desire, nor our ...

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Edmonds Beacon: An honor for Washington Kids in Transition

Edmonds Beacon: An honor for Washington Kids in Transition

The Washington State Senate will honor Washington Kids in Transition 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, with a resolution for the good work it's done in local communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From distributing federal CARES funds from the city of Edmonds to securing an Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction grant and supporting the Edmonds Hub, children and families in the Edmonds School District have benefitted greatly from their dedication.

Click here to read more...

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My Edmonds News: 32nd District legislators hosting live virtual town hall March 15

My Edmonds News: 32nd District legislators hosting live virtual town hall March 15

Join Washington State 32nd District representatives for a live virtual town hall on Monday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Sen. Jesse Salomon, Rep. Cindy Ryu and Rep. Lauren Davis will share their thoughts on their legislative priorities and answer questions from constituents.

The 32nd District includes portions of Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.

Submit questions ahead of time at surveymonkey.com/r/3TDTLD9

Or submit questions live during the event by leaving a question in the comment section. You can watch the event via Facebook ...

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AP: State Senate approves open carry ban at Capitol in Olympia

AP: State Senate approves open carry ban at Capitol in Olympia

OLYMPIA — Openly carrying guns and other weapons on the Capitol campus and at or near permitted public demonstrations across Washington would be prohibited under a measure approved by the state Senate Thursday. The measure passed on a 28-20 vote and now heads to the House. In addition to prohibiting openly carried weapons in the state Capitol or on the Capitol’s grounds, the bill would bar people from carrying weapons, either on their person or in their vehicle, while attending a permitted ...

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