Author Archives: abond

27 Feb
0

Bill to expand ADU housing passes Senate

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to expand construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, passed the Senate on a 42-6 vote today. ADUs, often referred to as backyard cottages or mother-in-law units, are residential homes that occupy the ...

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23 Feb
0

Children’s Day in the Senate!

This week was Children’s Day in the Legislature, a fun tradition where the members bring their families to the floor. It was great to be able to do this again after two years of remote sessions, and it felt good ...

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17 Feb
0

ADUs for you!

Dear friends and neighbors, It’s been an exciting week in the Legislature – here’s the news! Cutoff deadline – what’s that? Friday was a big deadline in the Legislature—policy cutoff—the last day a bill can pass out of its policy ...

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15 Feb
0

Shewmake bill to streamline derelict vessel removal passes Senate

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to streamline the removal of derelict vessels in Washington waters passed the state Senate on a unanimous vote. The state’s Derelict Vessel Removal Program is often used to salvage boats that are abandoned, ...

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13 Feb
0

Augustus Booker serves as page in Washington State Senate

Augustus Booker, a senior at Bellingham High School, served as a page for the Washington State Senate the week of Feb. 6. Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) sponsored his week at the Legislature. The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for ...

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10 Feb
0

Where’s the beef? (and the salmon!)

Dear friends and neighbors, Some of the most important issues to our district get heard in the Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks (AWNP) Committee, often simply called the “Ag committee”. Whether it’s maintaining our competitive advantage in agriculture, supporting ...

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09 Feb
4

Shewmake ADU housing legislation passes Senate committee

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to expand construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, passed out of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs today. ADUs, often referred to as backyard cottages or mother-in-law ...

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07 Feb
0

Middle Schoolers Aven Bordsen and RJ Montoure serve as pages in Washington State Senate

Aven Bordsen and RJ Montoure, eighth graders at Blaine Middle School, served as pages in the Washington State Senate the week of Jan. 30th, 2023. Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) sponsored their week at the Legislature. The page program offers a ...

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06 Feb
0

Columbian: “Wildfire preparation can protect health, lives”

Franz has headed the Department of Natural Resources since 2017, and she has effectively advocated for increased spending on wildfire prevention and response. While the position — which is elected statewide — also involves generating revenue from Washington’s public lands ...

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02 Feb
0

Bellingham Herald: “Washingtonians must prepare for the impacts of wildfire and smoke. These bills could help”

Summer in Washington used to mean clear blue skies, but recently they are mostly remembered for the wildfire smoke. Two bills, in the house and senate, are going to focus on communities that suffer the most from wildfires. The “Cascading ...

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