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Seattle police chief touts 2025 crime reduction, as 2026 gets off to a violent start

(The Center Square) – The timing of Seattle Police Department Chief Shon Barnes’ first Year in Review address touting dropping crime rates could be considered unfortunate, coming in the aftermath of recent multiple homicides in the city. Two Rainier Beach High School students were killed at a bus stop on Friday, and another man was killed in a separate shooting in Pioneer Square early Sunday. “This is not a victory lap,” Barnes said, after acknowledging

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Washington Democrats unveil income tax bill; Gov Ferguson has concerns

(The Center Square) – Majority Democrats in Washington on Tuesday rolled out the much-anticipated income tax bill. Senate Bill 6346, with Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, as the prime sponsor, is being called by supporters the ‘millionaire’s tax’ as it’s a 9.9% tax on income over one million dollars. Opponents say while it may start out as a tax only on millionaires, it will expand eventually to a tax on all Washingtonians. “I think

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Op-Ed: If you’re reading this online, you’re using a data center

Washington state has earned its reputation for pairing innovation with responsibility. We believe economic growth, strong labor standards, and clean energy leadership can move forward together. That balance matters as lawmakers consider House Bill 2515 and the future of data centers in our state. The intent behind HB 2515 is understandable. Lawmakers want to protect ratepayers, ensure grid reliability, and align growth with Washington’s clean energy goals. Those are shared priorities. The problem is that

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WA Democrats advance bills that could gut local camping bans with unfunded mandates

(The Center Square) – House Democrats advanced two proposals Monday that local officials fear could undo all the work Spokane has done downtown over the past several months to tackle public camping. HB 2489 would prohibit cities from enforcing camping bans unless they can afford to house every homeless person with their pets and belongings in the immediate area. HB 2266 would require cities to permit homeless shelters anywhere outside industrial zones that allow residential

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