News Releases

Legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate would ban seabed mining, a growing industry that ravages natural habitat to extract minerals and deposits from the ocean floor. “So far, seabed mining has not been practiced in our state, and this legislation will ensure that it never is,” said Sen. Kevin Van ...

Legislation to make less expensive prescription drugs available to Washingtonians cleared a pivotal committee today, positioning it for a vote before the full Senate. Senate Bill 5203, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, (D-Sequim), was approved by the Senate Ways & Means Committee shortly before the cut-off deadline that ...

Local governments would be able to improve, expand and add public parks to satisfy historically high demand, under legislation passed by the Senate Housing & Local Government Committee. “The coronavirus pandemic has reconnected people with the pleasures and enjoyment of outdoor activities,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), the sponsor ...

Costly prescription drugs could become available to Washingtonians in the form of far less expensive generic products, under legislation passed today out of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee. “Generics are a cheaper alternative to many name-brand drugs but just as safe and effective,” Sen. Kevin Van De Wege ...

Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) and Rep. Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles) released this statement today in response to the business reopening metrics announced Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee: “Gov. Inslee’s recent change to the Roadmap to Recovery has left Clallam and Jefferson counties at a ...

Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) and Reps. Steve Tharinger (Port Townsend) and Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles) today asked Gov. Jay Inslee to extend the same pandemic reopening opportunities to Clallam County that Grays Harbor and Jefferson counties have received. The three 24th Legislative District lawmakers sent a letter to ...

Legislation signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Inslee will protect residents in nursing homes from being displaced in the middle of the coronavirus crisis by enacting measures to stem the closures of struggling homes. “The rate of Medicaid reimbursements has not kept up with actual costs in nursing homes, and that’s ...

A new law signed today by Gov. Inslee will increase the ability of regional organizations to host events that promote local wineries and draw tourists to a wide variety of local businesses. “Groups like the Olympic Peninsula Winery Association pay excessively redundant and exorbitant fees every single time they host an ...

State agencies would recognize and support efforts by timber companies to reduce carbon emissions through reforestation, afforestation, timber harvesting, and the planting of forested buffers in riparian areas, under a House bill passed on a 46-3 vote today by the Senate. “There’s a longstanding presumption that timber harvesting and environmental protection ...

Legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate would help stem closures of nursing homes by accelerating the schedule for increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates. “The rate of Medicaid reimbursements has not kept up with actual costs in nursing homes,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), the bill’s sponsor. “This short-term action ...