Homelessness rising in King County despite high-cost efforts to address the issue
(The Center Square) – The King County Regional Homelessness Authority, which receives substantial funding from the county and the city of Seattle, recently completed its biennial Point-in-Time Count, a federally mandated survey estimating the number of people
Bill to give state board power to remove sheriffs clears WA Senate
(The Center Square) – A bill that would allow a state board to remove an elected sheriff in the state of Washington passed off the Senate floor Thursday on a party line vote. A department in the
Zahilay bans federal immigration authorities from all nonpublic King County-owned spaces
(The Center Square) – King County Executive Director Girmay Zahilay on Thursday signed an executive order prohibiting federal immigration authorities from accessing non-public, county-owned or controlled spaces. The executive order also allocates $2 million to bolster protections
WATCH: WA lawmakers move Sound Transit closer to issuing 75-year debt to cover costs
(The Center Square) – Among the bills advancing in the Washington legislature is a measure that would give Sound Transit the ability to issue bonds with 75-year maturities. Senate bill 6148 initially asked for the extended bond
WA House passes bill prohibiting arrest of someone overdosing even if breaking law
(The Center Square) – House Democrats passed a proposal Wednesday that would expand Washington state’s “Good Samaritan” law by prohibiting the arrest of someone who is overdosing or reporting one. The 55-42 vote, with three Democrats joining
Critics warn that WA bill could ‘weaponize’ AGO with new investigative powers
(The Center Square) – The Washington state Senate has passed a bill that critics in the chamber warn could “weaponize” the State Attorney General’s Office by giving it new investigative powers into civil infractions, with potential criminal
WATCH: WA to distribute its store of abortion pills to clinics, possibly nationwide
(The Center Square) – Washington Senators have passed a bill that would allow the state to distribute millions of abortion pills, it purchased after the U.S. Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, free to clinics
Copper Wire Thieves Knock Out Sound Transit 1 Line Ahead of Seahawks Parade
Copper wire thieves struck Sound Transit’s 1 Line near Federal Way early Wednesday, triggering a total power outage that temporarily shut down light rail service between Angle Lake and Star Lake, right as Seahawks fans began heading
Ethics Commission dismisses complaint against police ombuds without question
(The Center Square) – The Spokane Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Police Ombuds Bart Logue Wednesday, following an independent investigation into his private consulting business. The report obtained by The Center Square determined that Logue’s firm
Op-Ed: Pretty little income tax lies
It’s the oldest trick in politics: sell a major policy shift by assuring voters it only targets someone else. Olympia is now running that play with the 9.9% “Millionaire Tax.” For those of us who have watched