News Releases

More state land would be opened to timber harvesting under a proviso Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, secured in the Senate’s proposed operating budget. Since 1997, the state has restricted harvesting on 176,000 acres of state trust lands to protect the marbled murrelet pending long-term federal and state agreement on ...

Property owners might be wise to delay paying their full 2018 property taxes until after the close of the 2018 legislative session in March, Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, said today. “Democrats are working hard to protect homeowners from the worst impacts of the Republican property tax of 2017,” Van ...

Two bipartisan bills passed today by the Senate could spur job growth on the Olympic Peninsula and in rural and coastal areas across the state by boosting the timber industry, said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim. Senate Bill 6140, cosponsored by Van De Wege, could create jobs in rural communities ...

Legislation passed today by the Senate would prohibit the sale of firefighting foam that contains chemicals deadly to people and destructive to the environment past July of 2020. The chemicals, known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS), are commonly used to help fight fires at airfields and other places — including during ...

Legislation passed late today by the Senate would reduce the spiraling cost of fighting wildfires and limit damages to homes in wildfire-prone areas. Senate Bill 6109, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, would supplement local building codes for roofs, siding, porches and vehicle access for homes to make ...

Area lawmakers hope to provide temporary funding to ease a financial crisis at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. “People can’t afford to be without a hospital,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim. “We’ve intervened before and, now, once again we’re trying to preserve the sole community hospital for area residents.” Van De ...

Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, was named 2017 Legislator of the Year this week by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS) for his support of legislation that affects law enforcement agencies and officers. The 2017 year marked Van De Wege’s first year in the state Senate after serving ...

Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, issued the following statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 6091 to address new wells drilled by property owners. “This legislation responds to Hirst in a fair, measured way. My only regret is that this should have, and could have, been taken care ...

Legislation to offer a tax incentive to businesses that let employees telework will be heard next week by the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. “This legislation would reduce by far the single largest cause of traffic, daily commutes, and allow rural employees to work for urban employers,” said Sen. Kevin Van ...

Legislation to enable people to develop property that requires new water rights will be heard Monday by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee. Senate Bill 6091, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, would allow property owners to drill new wells and withdraw enough well water ...