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Op-Ed: Drug pricing bill benefits affluent areas rather than those in need

There are times when more isn’t better. It’s just more. This is one of those times. Democratic legislators are pushing Senate Bill 5981, which would expand a little-known federal drug discount program called 340B. The problem is that the program is not consistently serving the people it was intended to help; it’s already growing at a staggering pace, and further expansion could increase health care costs for Washingtonians. The 340B program requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to

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WATCH: Cost for WA firearm background check fee could shoot up under bill

(The Center Square) – The cost of a firearm background check fee is expected to climb in Washington if House Bill 2521 passes the Senate. The bill, which removes the cap on fees the Washington State Patrol can charge for firearm background checks, cleared the House on Feb. 23. The measure also expands how those fees can be used. Critics say it could make legal firearm ownership unaffordable for many Washington residents. During testimony on

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WATCH: WA bill would mandate local governments allow subsidized housing

(The Center Square) – Cities and counties across Washington state would have no choice but to allow the development of STEP housing if House Bill 2266 passes the Legislature. STEP housing is Shelters, Transitional, Emergency and Permanent Supportive housing. The bill has already cleared the House of Representatives. This legislation would “require cities and planning counties, within urban growth areas, to allow transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, indoor emergency shelters, and indoor emergency housing (STEP

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WA House approves $100M cut to working families child care subsidies for 2027

(The Center Square) – House lawmakers passed a bill on Wednesday that would change how the state reimburses providers under the Working Connections Child Care program to save $100 million in 2027.​ WCCC is a state and federal subsidy for working families and parents enrolled in school whose income is at least 60% of the state median income, or SMI. Eligibility is scheduled to expand to 75% of SMI in 2029 and 85% of SMI

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