Author: Carleen Johnson | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A year after a small church in Tukwila began taking in hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers, lawmakers are offering some major help in the form of $32 million in the supplemental budget passed by the Legislature this session set aside for new migrant arrivals in Washington state. Many of the asylum seekers…

(The Center Square) – Washington retailers are feeling a bit more optimistic about dealing with theft now that lawmakers have passed changes in state and federal law. This session, the Washington State Legislature passed Initiative 2113 to lessen restrictions on police pursuits. Retailers hope the new measure, which goes into effect in June, will provide some relief for…

(The Center Square) – Washington state drivers may have noticed an increase in the price at the pump recently. On Monday, the average cost for a gallon of gas in the Evergreen State increased to nearly $4.31 per gallon — up 40 cents compared to a month ago, according to AAA. The national average is $3.46 a…

(The Center Square) – One of the most controversial bills passed by the Washington State Legislature this session has yet to be signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1589, dubbed by critics as the “natural gas ban bill,” would allow utilities – that is, Puget Sound Energy – to start planning how to move…

(The Center Square) – Less than eight months from now, Washington state voters will – in addition to casting a ballot for president in November’s general election – decide the fate of three initiatives for repealing the state’s Climate Commitment Act and its carbon market, getting rid of the capital gains tax, and letting people…

(The Center Square) – Washington state Democrats have signaled a willingness to pass three initiatives to the Legislature scheduled for public hearings next week. The three measures getting public hearings are Initiative 2081 to establish a parental bill of rights relating to their children’s public school education, Initiative 2111 to prohibit state and local governments…

(The Center Square) – Democratic leaders in Olympia say they will not hold hearings on at least two of the six initiatives to the Legislature that Republicans argue the majority is obligated to consider based on the Washington State Constitution. The two measures they will not consider based on comments from leadership this week are Initiative 2109 that…

(The Center Square) – Republicans in the Washington Senate are calling a property tax measure backed by Democrats “the single most destructive and far-reaching bill of the 2024 session.” At least that’s how Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro Woolley, and a member of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, described Senate Bill 5770 in a Wednesday new release. SB 570 would allow local governments across…

(The Center Square) – Democrats in the Washington State Legislature are moving ahead with a bill to cap rent increases at 5% a year and place limits on fees that are charged by landlords. Rep. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, is the prime sponsor of House Bill 2114, which would cap late fees and move-in fees, in addition to…