As the state capitol, many of the decisions and actions taken in Olympia have a direct impact on readers of the Northern Kittitas County Tribune. The Washington State Journal provides these articles written by WNPA journalism interns stationed in Olympia during the legislative session and other sources for publication by member news media organizations including the Tribune. Most Recent Articles Below (see archives here)
Inslee signs COVID-19 relief bill, allocating $2.2 billion in federal funding
Additional relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is on its way By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law Feb. 19, that appropriates $2.2 billion federal dollars to be used for K-12 schools, public health, assistance to...
Republican budget proposal cuts programs, uses rainy-day fund
Plan ends bonus for National Board Certified teachers Budget balanced without new taxes By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal House Republicans released their proposed state budget Feb. 16, saying it shows how a Republican-controlled Legislature could craft a...
Revised capital gains tax advances
No Republican amendments approved Homes, small businesses exempted By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal A capital gains excise tax moved one step closer to approval Feb. 17 despite opposition from Republican lawmakers who call the law an unnecessary income tax and...
Suicide prevention team idea moves forward
Amendments broaden scope of project Next stop for bill is appropriations By Joseph Claypoole Washington State Journal A Washington Youth Suicide Review Team is one step closer to reality after legislators passed substitute HB 1354 out of committee in a 11-2 vote. Rep....
Free attorneys, extended ban on evictions considered
Broad new powers proposed for renters Property owners call bill “horrible” By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal An extension of an eviction moratorium for another two years and free attorneys for tenants who face eviction are proposed in a new bill that landlords...
Tax credits, free lunches, land leases, immigrant help get House approval
Many bills win bipartisan support Boost given to substance abuse apprentices By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal As a single mother who survived on food stamps, an added $20 monthly cost for her four children’s lunch was more than Rep. Melanie Morgan, D-Tacoma,...
Year-round school coming to Washington
Lower income students hit harder by summer learning loss 30 school districts can choose to participate By Joseph Claypoole Washington State Journal The summer months are coming to an end, children are heading back to school, but they are experiencing summer learning...
In wake of major data breach, cyber security office proposed
By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal Reeling from a December breach that allowed hackers to access the personal information of roughly 1.6 million Washington residents, state lawmakers are working with Gov. Jay Inslee to establish a new office to protect state...
Mandatory boater education for paddleboarders sinks in Legislature
Online petition showed huge opposition Hope was to prevent fatalities By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal A bill that would have required kayakers and paddleboarders to take a boater education course to operate human-powered water vessels was effectively killed...
Inslee defends regional reopening plan
State has vaccinated over 700,000 individuals Freedom Caucus forms to press for quicker openings By Joseph Claypoole Washington State Journal Gov. Jay Inslee defended his plan to phase in the opening of businesses by region, saying he knows it goes too slow for some...
Mandated homeless shelters draw criticism
Bill requires police presence on site Drugs and alcohol not allowed By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal Homeless shelters would be located in many cities and counties and supplied with mental health, employment and police resources if a bill under consideration...
Democrats push new tax on billionaires
Could raise $5 billion from fewer than 100 taxpayers Detractors fear plan could drive Washington’s wealthiest out of state By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal House Democrats are rallying around a proposal to tax Washington State’s billionaires. House Bill 1406...
Bill would ban open-carry weapons at peaceful state capitol protests
Many view bill as an infringement on rights Others say guns used only to intimidate By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal A proposed ban on open-carry weapons during public demonstrations sparked a heated debate on whether the bill unreasonably restricts the...
Washington on track to allow schools to waive graduation requirements
Proposal enjoys wide bipartisan support Rise in graduation rate noted with waivers By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal Washington high school students wrestling with remote learning programs cobbled together as COVID-19 gripped the state in 2020 and now...
Navy gets approval for state park training
Commissioners vote on amended proposal, 4-3 in favor Navy says public won’t notice any differences By Joseph Claypoole Washington State Journal Training for Navy SEALs in state parks was approved by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in a 4-3 vote...
Elementary school class wants state dinosaur named
Only fossil found came from Sucia Island 12 other states have official dinosaurs Staff Washington State Journal Washington State may soon have a new state dinosaur, thanks to the efforts of an elementary school class and the Washington State Legislature. The proposed...
$25.8 billion transportation plan hikes gas tax 18 cents
$2.5 billion set aside for carbon reduction Republicans baffled by lack of involvement By Joseph Claypoole Washington State Journal Washington drivers will pay an extra 18 cents per gallon in gas taxes if a new 16-year, $25.8 billion transportation package backed by...
Lawmakers push competing COVID-19 packages
Republicans want to spend more using rainy day fund Both plans aid schools, businesses, vaccine distribution By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal Relief for renters, schools, public health agencies and small businesses is rushing through the state Legislature,...
Bill would establish office to investigate police use of force
Investigative panel would not include police Reports would go back to prosecutors, police for decision making By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal Fred Thomas believes if an independent team had investigated his son’s death, the outcome would have been much...
House approves bills on public access, tax exemptions, online training
Businesses won’t pay tax on emergency aid Access to remote meetings required By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal A set of three bills designed to keep essential functions of the state running during the COVID pandemic and future emergencies passed unanimously...
Unlawful calls to police get scrutiny
Some calls appear motivated by racism Is this a problem here? opponents ask By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal A person who unlawfully summons the police on someone could face a civil action lawsuit under a proposed law that is gaining traction in the...
Hundreds debate fast-action bill to skip first phase of recovery plan
Businesses hang in the balance Healthcare workers tired, facilities strained By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal Dozens of business owners – from restaurant owners to bowling alley managers — told state officials that continued COVID-19 restrictions place small...
Capital gains tax gets a harsh reception
New more business friendly bill likely Republicans say it looks like an income tax By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal A different take on Gov. Jay Inslee’s capital gains tax, less broad and friendlier to small family-owned businesses, will likely be introduced...
Inslee lowers age of those eligible for vaccines
He acknowledges roll out has had problems Just when vaccine shipments will increase is unknown By Joseph Claypoole Washington State Journal Just when residents of Washington will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine depends on how many doses the federal government...
State patrol, National Guard will secure capitol campus ahead of inauguration
By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal Hundreds of officers from the Washington State Patrol and the National Guard will continue to surround the Capitol Campus in Olympia through the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. WSP spokesperson Chris Loftis said the...
Bill promotes automatic right to vote for people released from prison
People under community custody currently can’t register Advocates say bill would help people reengage By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal Formerly incarcerated people would automatically regain their right to vote if a proposed bill in the Washington State...
Security increased for Legislature’s opening day
Officials weigh security preparation in light of Wednesday attacks and planned protest No arrests made after an attack on governor’s mansion in Olympia Inslee acknowledges contrast between security response Wednesday in nation’s capital By Joseph Claypoole...
Policing, racial injustice, governor’s power on Legislative agenda
COVID pandemic exposed weaknesses Some want to rein in governor’s powers By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal OLYMPIA – This year's legislature won't just be about numbers and budgets: it will explore social inequities, the proper role of policing and just how...
Increased participation might be ‘silver lining’ in online state legislative session
Lawmakers practicing for weeks to smooth out tech and procedural kinks. Online tools will provide increased access. By Joseph Claypoole Washington State Journal This might be the most accessible Legislative session in history, thanks to online tools provided...
Parents, educators worry Inslee schools budget falls short
Concerns voiced around school transportation, special education, enrollment See proposed budget as ‘a good start’ By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed budget for the upcoming biennium calls for $570 million in new education spending,...
Use of police force elicits emotional testimony
Minority communities disproportionately affected Some police representatives say the bill goes too far By Sydney Brown Washington State Journal A proposed ban on the use of chokeholds, unleashed K-9 dogs and other use-of-force tactics by law enforcement is just the...
Lawmakers launch session with calls for cooperation, quick action on COVID-19
Deliberations begin amid rumbling national political tensions and ongoing state protests Rules set to conduct pandemic-era session remotely By Patric Haerle Washington State Journal Washington state legislative leaders on Monday Jan. 11 took turns delivering upbeat...
