Washington in Focus

Supporters of the four initiatives on Tuesday’s general election ballot in Washington are regrouping after three of the four went down to defeat. One the measures, I-2066, to ensure natural gas remains an energy choice is leading by about 75,000 votes, but with more than 780,000 ballots not yet to be added to the statewide total, neither side is declaring victory or defeat. Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh, who sponsored the initiatives, told The Center Square on Thursday that state Republicans believe ballot statements on the initiatives worked to their disadvantage. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The FBI continues to investigate Monday’s arson that destroyed hundreds of election ballots inside a Vancouver, Wash., drop box. An incendiary device was also dropped next to a Portland drop box, but fire suppression built into the box put out the flames before any major damage. Multnomah County election officials reported only three ballots were damaged. Joni McAnally, communications specialist at the Clark County Manager's Office, told The Center Square via email that the Vancouver drop box was also equipped with fire suppression, “but it did not work as it should have." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recently released polling on the Washington initiatives to the ballot indicates voters may not be in the mood to support three of the four measures. Backers of the initiatives aren't swayed by the results, adding that language included by Attorney General Bob Ferguson paints a partisan pall over the measures. The SurveyUSA poll was conducted online Oct. 9-14 and was sponsored by The Seattle Times, KING 5 and the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A number of Washington cities have approved declarations publicly opposing ballot initiatives on next month's ballot, with at least initiative supporter hinting that money is playing a key role in these decisions by various city councils. The four initiatives are as follows: Business Industry Association of Washington-sponsored Initiative 2066 would repeal provisions of a new state law aimed at hastening Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas by prohibiting the state and all local governments from banning, restricting or discouraging the use of natural gas in new or existing homes or commercial buildings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Washington-based surgery center ranked by a nonprofit among the top in the state for minor gender reassignment surgeries was recently fined $5 million as part of a lawsuit in which the State Attorney General’s Office accused them of deceptive business practices. Within Washington, Lynnwood-based Alderwood Surgical Center performed more than twice as many gender reassignment surgeries on minors than Seattle Children’s Hospital Gender Clinic (50), making it the number one gender reassignment surgery center in the state in terms of total patients. That data is according to the nonprofit Do No Harm and confined to 2019-2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s unclear how many people watched, but there was another contentious election debate Tuesday night in addition to the one between the U.S. vice presidential candidates. The candidates for Washington Secretary of State took part in a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters. Duties of the Secretary of State include supervising state and local elections, filing and verifying initiatives and referendums, registering nonprofits, collecting and preserving the historical records of the state, among others. Incumbent Steve Hobbs is running against challenger Dale Whitaker. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new report published by Greenline Insights, along with proponents of the Climate Commitment Act, claims that if Initiative 2117 is approved by voters and repeals the law, it would deprive the state of state revenue by $3.9 billion through 2029. According to a press release statement citing the study’s conclusions, the No 2117 campaign argued the initiative “would cut billions in investments in transportation - slashing transit and putting road and bridge projects at risk.” However, CCA revenue is restricted in what kind of transportation projects it can go toward.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Climate Commitment Act’s focus on environmental justice may be complicating efforts to link Washington state’s carbon market with the California-Quebec carbon market, a move supporters say will ensure the durability of the cap-and-trade program in the Evergreen State. California and Quebec have expressed interest in linking to Washington’s carbon market. “Linking California’s, Quebec’s and Washington’s carbon markets would enable deeper and faster cuts in climate pollution while creating a more stable, predictable market for all,” said Katelyn Roedner Sutter, the Environmental Defense Fund’s California director. “Three major climate leaders joining forces would create a huge momentum boost for climate action.” One factor complicating linkage efforts is the requirement that CCA funding go to individuals from communities facing environmental harm or health impacts and the organizations serving those communities in what is termed “environmental justice.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The two candidates to be Washington state's next governor faced off in their first televised debate Tuesday night, trading jabs on a variety of topics, including public safety, the drug crisis, climate change and abortion. State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, and Republican Dave Reichert, a former congressman and the former King County Sheriff wasted no time going at each other from the confines of KING 5 television's studio in Seattle. Both candidates agreed on one thing: that public safety is the top issue this election cycle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Members and supporters of the organization Workers Strike Back are calling on the Seattle City Council to oppose a proposed bill to extend the city’s $2.72 tip credit. Seattle’s current minimum wage is $19.97 per hour, but businesses that employ fewer than 500 employees can pay $17.25 per hour if they pay $2.72 per hour toward medical benefits, or if the employee earns $2.72 per hour in tips. That tip credit is set to expire at the end of this year if the city does not act to extend it. Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth proposed legislation to amend the city’s minimum wage ordinance to permanently establish the current minimum compensation as the pay standard for small employers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Members of the King County Council are pleased with proposed changes to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, but note more needs to be done. The King County Council, the City of Seattle and the Sound Cities Association are set to vote on a new five-year interlocal agreement with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, or KCRHA. The proposed agreement would create a single governing board within KCRHA that is responsible for providing fiscal oversight, setting strategic policy direction, monitoring performance, and ensuring the agency is making progress to fulfill its mission. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The state trucking industry is calling on the Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee to detach Washington state from a California-based electric vehicle program due to a variety of practical and logistical factors that they argue threaten the supply chain system. Under California’s Advanced Clean Trucks program, the trucking industry must progressively transition to zero emissions for medium and heavy-duty trucks. Starting next year, zero emission vehicles must make up 7% of all Class 2b-3 truck and Class 7-8 tractor sales, while Class 4-8 truck sales must be 11% zero emission vehicles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Supporters of several citizen initiatives, some already adopted into Washington law, and others to appear on the November ballot are not buying Attorney General Bob Ferguson's transparency claims following last week’s surprise ruling from the State Supreme Court. The ruling went in the favor of initiative supporters, but the surprising part came in the fact those supporters had no idea there was a legal challenge. Brian Heywood with Let’s Go Washington, the group behind the initiatives, and supporters held a protest rally Wednesday in front of the Seattle office of the attorney general, demanding to know why they were not notified of legal challenges that could have invalidated every single one of the initiatives. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington state’s long-time attorney general and a former county sheriff will face off to be Washington’s next governor this November. Based on Tuesday night’s initial returns, Democrat Attorney General Bob Ferguson will face former King County Sheriff and U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, a Republican, in the general election. Initial primary returns showed Ferguson way out in the lead with 49.5% of the vote, with Reichert garnering 27.92% of the vote. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s been nearly two months since Initiative 2113 was implemented, restoring vehicular pursuit options for law enforcement agencies across Washington state. I-2113 was passed by the Legislature this session and went into effect on June. 6. The law allows police officers to pursue vehicles when they have reasonable suspicion that the driver has committed a crime and is a threat to public safety. The change came at the urging of police agencies and citizens who raised concerns about community safety with criminals feeling emboldened to flee, knowing officers were prevented from giving chase in many circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Washington state agency tasked with overseeing tort claim investigations and determining whether individuals should be compensated as a result is defending its decision to assign an investigation to the state Attorney General’s Office in which the AGO and its client, Washington State University, are named defendants. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A potential subcontractor for a state police use of force database project who has had a long-running feud with the state Attorney General’s Office and Washington State University has now filed a $42 million tort claim that includes accusations of racketeering. Police Strategies CEO Bob Scales was among potential bidders on a request for proposal put out in 2022 by the AGO via Senate Bill 5259. A former King County prosecutor, Scales was also consulted by legislators as the bill advanced through the Legislature, and advised them on similar bills introduced in prior sessions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The annual Crime in Washington 2023 report found that overall violent crime went down, but hate crimes and vehicle thefts increased. The report, with data from 225 law enforcement agencies across the state, was presented Tuesday by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. The numbers of murders, other violent crimes and property crimes went down compared by 2022, but in many areas of the state, residents are still victimized at alarmingly high rates compared to other states. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Backers of Initiative 2066 turned in more than 431,000 signatures Tuesday afternoon to the Secretary of State’s Office in Tumwater with the hope of getting the measure to protect energy choices like natural gas and propane on this November's ballot. The Building Industry Association of Washington, Let’s Go Washington and other partners held two news conferences on Tuesday, one at noon in Redmond and another at 3 p.m. at SOS headquarters to deliver signatures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A choice available to voters on the November ballot could already be saving them money at the pump. This November, voters in Washington state will have the final say on Initiative 2117, which would repeal the Climate Commitment Act and prohibit state agencies from implementing a cap-and-trade program. However, there is some evidence that I-2117 may already be impacting the price of carbon credits, given a major decrease in the price of carbon credits during this year’s first two auctions as compared to last year’s auctions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has drawn criticism for providing legal advice to the Secretary of State’s Office regarding a request by Attorney General Bob Ferguson through his campaign attorney to alter the order of candidates on the November election ballot. Last month, two men also named Robert Ferguson filed to run for governor. State election laws has the order of candidates listed on the ballot to be chosen at random. Both Robert Fergusons would have appeared above Attorney General Ferguson on the ballot. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington is now the 11th state in the country to ban child marriages via a new law that went into effect on June 6 that makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to get married. House Bill 1455, passed by the Legislature this session and signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee in March, took effect on June 6. Prior to the new law, Washington was one of five states with no age requirement to marry. In those other states, children of any age can be legally married with permission from a judge, and 17-year-olds only need parental permission. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Beginning Thursday, June 6, law enforcement officers in Washington can once again pursue someone if they have reasonable suspicion that person has violated any law. Lawmakers amended the stricter policy after a voter initiative was submitted to the legislature and was adopted into law earlier this year. The 2021 law that significantly restricted police came as part of a package of reforms which Republicans and law enforcement say gave criminals the upper hand and led to huge spikes in crime.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxxFull stories:https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_279992a2-2364-11ef-80c1-07e8aec81eab.htmlhttps://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_19955b46-229c-11ef-b8f9-6771a16e5e05.htmlhttps://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_15580482-229e-11ef-bca5-3f85f7254ca5.htmlhttps://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_ead41ec4-21d7-11ef-ae01-3705cdd938b9.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Police Chief Adrian Diaz is stepping down from his role as head of the Seattle Police Department amid an increasing number of issues within the department. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the move on Wednesday, stating that Diaz “will be stepping aside to work on special assignments.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An investigation by a law firm on behalf of the Washington State Department of Transportation found no merit to most of a former employee’s claims he was pressured to lie about the impact of the Climate Commitment Act on gas prices – and forced out of his job because of it. Scott Smith, a former economist with WSDOT, claims he faced hostility and retaliation after refusing to keep quiet about his calculations last year showing Washington’s cap-and-trade program under the CCA, which went into effect last year, would increase gas prices by 45 to 50 cents per gallon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_9e06a308-1162-11ef-9c04-07a36db3699b.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With hundreds of millions of tax dollars spent, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority is facing calls for accountability from city officials who look to the semi-governmental organization to get the area's chronic homelessness crisis under control. A senior KCRHA policy director says their efforts are working. KCRHA has served as the organization responsible for coordinating funding and services for unhoused people across all of King County since 2019. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There seems to be some confusion among certain state agencies about workers who received exemptions from WA Cares, Washington’s mandatory long-term care benefit program. The program is paid for by 58 cents out of every $100 earned deducted from workers' paychecks. WA Cares provided a one-time opportunity for people to opt out, if they could show they had private long-term care insurance in place before Nov. 1, 2021. This opt-out provision is no longer available to new applicants. Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_1af6325a-0661-11ef-a5b6-2f675ac19705.html Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More than nine months since Washington state workers started paying into the state-mandated long-term care insurance program known as WA Cares, most working Washingtonians have contributed at least a few hundred dollars to the program. But if voters approve Initiative 2124 this November, workers can opt out of having 58 cents out of every $100 earned deducted from their paychecks. WA Cares opponents argue the maximum $36,500 benefit, not available until July 2026, is not adequate and may give someone a false sense of security about future long-term care needs. Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_a7275f6c-01c8-11ef-beaa-af7f77c014c2.html Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There was no decision from the bench Wednesday afternoon in the Gators Custom Guns case regarding the state ban on high-capacity magazines for firearms. State Supreme Court Commissioner Mike Johnston opened the hearing with remarks for what he said was, “the importance of a number of people watching this case.” “Personal side note, I’m a gun enthusiast. I know a lot about guns,” he said. Johnston is the court commissioner who last week granted a temporary stay of a ruling from Cowlitz County that found the high-capacity magazine ban unconstitutional – that is, a violation of the Second Amendment. Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_c6ddde08-fd18-11ee-89eb-3f0437925545.html Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There is ongoing debate over a newly-enacted law and its effect on natural gas in Washington state. The state's largest utility provider says it does not affect natural gas for new or future customers, but others argue that the new provisions set the stage for turning the shut-off valve for good. House Bill 1589 signed by Gov. Jay Inslee last month consolidates Puget Sound Energy’s planning for both electrical and natural gas. While opponents claim it bans natural gas, PSE recently put out a fact sheet arguing that it does not. At the same time, it references provisions of a separate bill enacted in 2019, Senate Bill 5116, which requires all utilities meet various energy portfolio requirements. Under the Clean Energy Transformation Act, utilities must have 80% non-emitting energy sources by 2030 and 100% non-emitting by 2045. Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_297d6c46-f69c-11ee-93ab-f3947ebf1a46.html Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Puget Sound Energy is challenging claims that a recent bill signed into law restricts or eliminates natural gas service, calling it "misinformation." This session, the Washington State Legislature enacted Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1589, which was signed last week by Gov. Jay Inslee. The bill was proposed during last year’s session, but failed to clear both chambers. Among its provisions are the consolidation of PSE’s planning process for both electric and natural gas services. Initially, the bill also removed PSE’s legal obligation to provide existing natural gas service to customers, while banning future natural gas hookups to new commercial or residential construction. Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_4496751c-f071-11ee-8146-73fac6fee36b.html Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee allows illegal foreign nationals to obtain professional and commercial licenses to work a variety of jobs if they otherwise qualify or meet requirements. Under existing state law, a commercial vehicle license is needed from the state Department of Licensing to legally work certain careers, whereas other professions are regulated by a board of commission that determine the qualifications. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(The Center Square) – Passing the the bar exam will no longer be a requirement for becoming a lawyer in Washington, the state Supreme Court ruled in a pair of orders Friday. Washington becomes only the second state to officially approve alternatives to the bar, following its southern neighbor, Oregon, which is set to make the change in May. The state Supreme Court appointed a Bar Licensure Task Force to study alternative ways to show competency in 2020, after COVID-19-related modifications resulting in many questioning the efficacy of the current exam. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 away from natural gas. Inslee is expected to sign the bill, a cornerstone of Inslee's agenda to fight climate change, into law. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Scott Smith, a former economist with the Washington State Department of Transportation, spoke out Wednesday morning about the hostility and retaliation he says he faced after refusing to keep quiet about his calculations last year showing Washington’s cap-and-trade program would increase gas prices by 45 to 50 cents per gallon. “When I was preparing the estimates, the facts were so obvious that it was a matter of sixth-grade math,” he said during a virtual news conference the day after the Citizen Action Defense Fund filed a lawsuit on his behalf. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Proponents of Initiative 2113 to reduce requirements for law enforcement to engage in vehicle pursuits expressed frustration at how a Wednesday morning legislative public hearing on the initiative was conducted. Testimony before both the Senate Law & Justice Committee and the House Community Safety, Justice & Reentry Committee did not begin until 30 minutes into the one-hour hearing due to majority party Democrats asking questions of committee staff members. One of the questions asked of staff came from Rep. Tara Simmons, D-Bremerton, who suggested recent studies prove that when police pursuit restrictions are loosened, it increases racial profiling. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said that he would not look at new revenue streams to address the city’s $229 million budget gap. Harrell gave his State of the City address with an emphasis on improving public safety, increasing the city’s affordable housing stock, addressing the drug epidemic and replacing aging infrastructure. “The size of this deficit means that we will have difficult financial decisions ahead,” Harrel said. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The executive director of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council says the overall revenue picture for the state is “pretty good.” But the elephants in the room as Dave Reich began his revenue forecast presentation Wednesday morning were the state Department of Revenue's Tuesday announcement that it had made a series of errors in tallying the state's new capital gains tax and the recent departure of a billionaire to live in another state. The errors, he said came from "a double booking of about $50 million in tax receipts from the capital gains tax." Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Initiative 2117 to repeal Washington state's cap-and-trade law under the Climate Commitment Act could already be impacting the CCA's carbon credit futures market that is meant to reduce overall carbon emissions. Via forums like the Intercontinental Exchange, or ICE, traders can buy and sell Washington carbon credit futures. Closing prices have steadily declined since I-2117 was certified last month, though the December 2024 CCA contracts were dropping slightly in the months before the measure was certified. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A group of Washingtonians turned out Wednesday afternoon at the steps of the Capitol building in Olympia to demand lawmakers follow the state's constitution and act on six certified initiatives. In December, the Let’s Go Washington voter advocacy group turned in 2.6 million signatures on initiatives to loosen restrictions on allowing police to pursue dangerous criminals, repeal the carbon tax, establish parental rights in public schools, abolish the capital gains tax, allow people who are employed to opt out of the state’s long-term care program, and ban further efforts to pass income taxes. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Washington bill would require a convicted sex offender be among the members of the State Sex Offender Policy Board, which would also be renamed “Sex Offense Policy Board.” House Bill 2177 sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, would also require a victim of a sex offense serve in an effort to “diversify” the number of backgrounds represented on the board. While supporters maintain that it will allow greater representation in crafting policies for the conviction and release of sex offenders, some critics say it strays from the board's original purpose of allowing neutral voices to make recommendations. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday morning declined to hear an appeal of a Washington State Supreme Court ruling from March 2023 that found a statewide capital gains tax to be lawful. The justices, as is their custom, did not offer a reason for not taking the case. Opponents of the tax – a 7% levy on individuals’ long-term capital gains exceeding $250,000 – had argued it was functionally an income tax that violated the state constitution’s strict rules on income taxes. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his 11th and final state-of-the-state address Tuesday before a joint session of the state Legislature. “We will always be the strongest state in the nation; in fact, the state of our state is stronger than ever,” Inslee said as he opened his midday speech. The governor touted many accomplishments, including the increase in the state minimum wage while he’s been in office. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gov. Jay Inslee has long known that a carbon tax could significantly increase gas prices in Washington state, contends the conservative Washington Policy Center think tank, which says it has the receipts to back up that claim. In a Thursday morning blog post, WPC Environmental Director Todd Myers notes that reports from Inslee’s 2014 Carbon Emissions Reduction Task Force, or CERT, showed a carbon tax could result in a significant hike in the price at the pump. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Vancouver City Council approved a short-term rental ordinance that requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and a short-term rental permit. The operators will be required to pay $50 for the business license and $250 for the permit. Applicants will have to apply for a one-time permit by Feb. 15, 2024. Prior to the recently passed ordinance, the city’s land use and development code did not allow short-term rentals in residential zones except as expressly authorized under the bed-and-breakfast provisions. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Let’s Go Washington has sent a cease-and-desist letter to three organizations it’s accused of illegally interfering with its signature gathering efforts for initiatives to be placed on the November 2024 ballot. The letter, written by former State Attorney General Rob McKenna, accuses Fuse Washington, SEIU 775 and Washington D.C.-based Fieldworks of engaging in “a coordinated intimidation campaign against contractors for our client, Let’s Go Washington, and voters, to disrupt and prevent the collection of voter signatures for several initiative petitions in Washington.” Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Less than a month from the start of the next legislative session, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday afternoon released his 2024 supplemental budget proposal. The governor’s supplemental budget would add $2 billion in spending to the $69.8 billion operating budget the Legislature passed during this year’s session. “There are some numbers attached to it, but the numbers aren’t important,” Inslee said at a press conference announcing his supplemental budget. “What’s important are the lives. There’s a lot of lives that are going to be improved because of the proposals that we are making.” Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to announce whether it will take up a case regarding whether or not a Washington state capital gains tax is an income tax, it is currently reviewing the legality of a federal tax that poses its own legal challenge. The lawsuit filed by a Washington couple disputes whether they owe $15,000 under a one-time tax enacted in 2017 that applies to the earnings of U.S. residents who generated income from shares in foreign companies. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Association of Washington Business is leading a lawsuit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency, contending it has imposed water quality standards on Washington state that are “impossible” to achieve, conflict with the agency’s own guidance, and have no basis in “real-world data.” AWB filed its complaint Monday in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. Plaintiffs also include the Northwest Pulp & Paper Association, the American Forest & Paper Association, Greater Spokane Inc., and Food Northwest, a food processing trade association. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.