A seasoned legislator looks to help newcomers navigate the complex world of lawmaking
As state legislatures across the country prepare for the new session, Washington state Sen. Karen Keiser offers newly elected lawmakers advice in a new book that looks back on a 25-year career.
Nation’s Longest-Serving Governor Won’t Run for Reelection
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee made a name for himself at home and nationally as an environmental champion.
How Washington Raised $300 Million for Climate Action From Polluters
The state's first "cap-and-invest" auction nearly doubled the price of carbon recently sold in California.
Localities Are Finding Creative Affordable Housing Solutions
There's an estimated shortage of 3.8 million housing units nationwide. Cities and towns are stepping up to help residents.
Murder Hornets in US Being Trapped With ‘Sex Spray’
The Asian giant hornet is killing honeybees in the west and may migrate east, which could have a devastating economic impact.
When Counties Need Fines, More Women Go to Jail
"Heavy reliance on monetary sanctions as a source of revenue creates an obvious conflict of interest for local governments: They need people to violate the law in order to keep themselves out of the red," researcher Kate O'Neill says.
States Lawmakers are Taking On Housing Policy Once Left to Locals
Legislators are looking at new—and sometimes controversial—ways to spur denser development and more affordable homes.
States Embrace Vaccine Mandates Despite Potential Worker Exodus
“No one’s in panic mode here.”
'Joints for Jabs' Vaccine Incentive Rolls Out in Washington State
Cannabis retailers can offer a joint to people who get Covid-19 vaccine shots. A former surgeon general is warning that some perks like this could raise public health concerns of their own.
New Environmental Justice Measures Might Revive Cap-and-Trade
In Washington, the passage of a bill that places a cap on carbon emissions and charges polluters for contributing to climate change comes as support for such policies wanes. How the law plays out could could have implications for national climate policy.
One State’s Plan to Ease the ‘Invisible’ Diaper Gap for Families
A third of families nationwide experience diaper need, regardless of age, race or income, data shows. Washington state will allocate funding for diaper banks in its latest budget to help close that gap.
Washington State Sets 2030 Goal for Phasing Out Gas-Powered Cars
The measure, awaiting a signature from Gov. Jay Inslee, comes after California set a similar target.
Families Say Athletic Bans Would Exact Toll on Rural Transgender Youth
This year, state lawmakers across the country have filed more than two dozen bills that would ban transgender youth from playing on sports teams that don’t align with their sex at birth.
For States’ Covid Contact Tracing Apps, Privacy Tops Utility
Nearly half the states have or are planning to launch a digital contact tracing system, but critics say the technology has overemphasized privacy at the cost of usefulness.
The Best and Worst States of 2021
U.S. News & World Report published the latest edition of its Best States Rankings.
Grocery Groups Sue Over Mandated Hazard Pay for Workers
Two industry trade groups sued the city of Seattle over a new law requiring a $4-per-hour hazard pay raise.
New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan and Washington State Issue New Shutdown Orders
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Jackson, Mississippi accuses biodiesel plant of illegal dumping … A high denial rate for Hawaii workers compensation claims linked to Covid … Gov. Gavin Newsom expresses regrets for attending outside restaurant gathering.
Rain, Fire and Car Crashes: How Ballot Boxes are Built to Withstand the World
The boxes are developed to include a host of built-in security features to keep ballots safe.
A State Moves Its Mainframe System to the Cloud
With technicians retiring and fewer agencies using the state-run system, Washington state is turning to an outside vendor to provide mainframe computing services.
Black Women Legislators Are Rare in Statehouses. This Could Be the Solution.
Statehouses are predominantly White and male-led. One PAC in Washington state wants to change that—and be the model for other legislatures.
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