Joseph O’Sullivan | The Seattle Times

February 14, 2020 at 8:00 pm

Can Washington be the gold standard for regulating companies that collect your digital data? Lawmakers in Olympia say they are trying.

OLYMPIA — State lawmakers want Washington to be the gold standard for regulating companies and governments that collect people's digital data or use facial recognition...

In this photo taken Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, semi-automatic rifles fill a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash. Voters in Washington state will decide the fate of Initiative 1639, which seeks to curb gun violence by toughening background checks for people buying semi-automatic rifles, increasing the age limit to 21 for buyers of those guns and requiring safe storage of all firearms. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) OTK

February 13, 2020 at 6:47 pm

Washington House OKs bill to centralize gun background checks

The proposal would overhaul a decentralized background-check system that studies have described as fragmented, complicated and possibly loose enough to allow some people prohibited from buying...

A sign for Western State Hospital is shown Friday, May 11, 2018, in Lakewood, Wash. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday outlined a five-year plan for the state’s mental health system that will include ending most civil patient placements at the state’s large hospitals by 2023 in favor of smaller state-run community-based facilities. Inslee said Western State and Eastern State Hospitals will continue to focus on serving forensic and hard-to-place civil-commitment patients. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

February 10, 2020 at 3:46 pm

Patient found dead, another unresponsive at Western State Hospital

The patients were found in their shared room at the state-run psychiatric hospital in Lakewood.

February 7, 2020 at 4:53 am

Washington lawmakers approve change to business tax to fund college affordability

The new version of the tax would raise about $234 million over the 2021-23 budget cycle to fund the Washington College Grant.

February 6, 2020 at 8:00 pm

Report: Ex-state Rep. Morris likely violated House policies; Jinkins ‘unhappy’ with disclosure rules

The review of the Democrat from Mount Vernon was launched in fall 2018, after a legislative staffer made a complaint of "longstanding concerns" about him.

February 3, 2020 at 7:32 pm

Lawmaker proposes bill to ban firearms on Capitol campus after gun-rights activists appear at rally for Shea

The protesters, some carrying long guns and tactical gear, did not have a permit to demonstrate on the site.

January 31, 2020 at 6:15 pm

Washington state senator unveils bill to aid people who refuse treatment for drug addiction or mental-health issues

OLYMPIA — When her 33-year-old son leaves jail or a treatment center after a mental-health and drug-addiction crisis, Theresa Yates says, there's nothing to keep...

The Legislative Building is shown Monday, March 25, 2019, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. House Democrats unveiled a two-year state budget proposal Monday that seeks $1.4 billion in new revenue, including a new capital gains tax on the sale of high-value stocks and bonds. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) WATW101

January 30, 2020 at 5:21 pm

Talks underway in Olympia on allowing King County to tax big businesses with high salaries

Last November’s Seattle City Council elections have rejuvenated debate about taxing the big businesses whose growth has squeezed Seattle’s housing market.

January 30, 2020 at 1:20 pm

After taking NHL Seattle job, longtime Washington Rep. Eric Pettigrew announces retirement

OLYMPIA -- Longtime Washington state Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Renton, announced Thursday he won't run for another term in the Legislature, citing in part his new...

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The entrance to Western State Hospital is seen Tuesday, April 11, 2017, in Lakewood, Wash. Gov. Jay Inslee toured the facility, the state’s largest psychiatric hospital, to get an update on its efforts to address safety problems that got it into trouble with federal regulators. Western State Hospital is at risk of losing millions in federal funds over health and safety violations that were discovered last year. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) OTK OTK

January 29, 2020 at 5:35 pm

Western State Hospital to open special wards to reduce violence and assaults

OLYMPIA — State officials have struggled for years to reduce violence at Western State Hospital, Washington's largest psychiatric facility. In 2018, for instance, one patient...