Today, the Washington State Senate passed SB 5452, legislation to expand options for local governments to use money from impact fees to build bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. “We use impact fees to pay for all kinds of good, helpful infrastructure – why not for more bike options?” asked Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), prime sponsor of the bill. “Places for people ...
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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 same lot as an existing home. As smaller buildings that share a lot, they are typically more affordable and more environmentally friendly ...
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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, sunk, or run aground in Washington waters – it removed one just off shore near Bellingham’s Waypoint Park in the ...
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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 students to find out how state government works. During the week-long interactive learning experience, students get a first-hand look at the ...
Read MoreLegislation 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 units, are residential homes that occupy the same lot as an existing home. As smaller buildings that share a lot, they are ...
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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 hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. During the week-long interactive learning experience, students get a first-hand ...
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At a ceremony in Bellingham, Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) was sworn into office today by Judge Cecily Hazelrigg with family, friends, and supporters looking on. Shewmake replaces Republican Sen. Simon Sefzik in the Senate, who was appointed to replace Sen. Doug Ericksen after Ericksen’s death in late 2021. Shewmake defeated Sefzik in the 2022 election, and was sworn in to fulfill ...
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