RACHEL LA CORTE | The Seattle Times

May 6, 2021 at 2:56 pm

Washington lawmakers, frustrated with Inslee's COVID reopening pause, threaten special legislative session

The letter, signed by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, said it was unfair to single out Pierce County for more restrictions while other counties with...

Local News

April 24, 2021 at 4:30 pm

Penalties for possessing drugs get overhaul by Washington Legislature

The Legislature had to act after the Washington Supreme Court struck down the previous drug possession law as unconstitutional — a ruling that left no...

April 14, 2021 at 3:43 pm

Gov. Inslee signs bill banning for-profit jails in Washington state

Washington joins several states that have passed legislation aiming to reduce, limit or ban private prison companies from operating. But Washington is only the third...

April 11, 2021 at 5:41 pm

Washington Senate votes to expand tax credit for low-income workers and families

The tax exemption is modeled in part after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and is meant to offset the state sales tax. The bill...

FILE – In this Jan. 7, 2021, file photo, the Legislative Building is shown partially shrouded in fog at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Washington state’s richest residents, including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, would pay a wealth tax on certain financial assets worth more than $1 billion under a proposed bill whose sponsor says she is seeking a fair and equitable tax code. Under the bill, starting Jan. 1, 2022, for taxes due in 2023, a 1% tax would be levied not on income, but on “extraordinary” assets ranging from cash, publicly traded options, futures contracts, and stocks and bonds. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

March 6, 2021 at 6:35 pm

Washington State Senate approves new tax on capital gains by one vote

The capital gains tax, which now heads to the House, has been introduced many times in previous years but has never gained traction in the...

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, takes the oath of office for his third term as Governor, as administered by Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez, left, on Wednesday at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (Ted S. Warren / The Associate Press)

January 13, 2021 at 12:17 pm

Inslee: Washington state must work toward a ‘new normal’ VIEW

In a videotaped speech to a mostly remote meeting of the Washington Legislature, Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday told lawmakers that following the challenges of...

December 11, 2020 at 11:31 am

Washington House releases remote legislative session plan

Opening ceremonies Jan. 11, 2021, will be at a nearby private university to abide by coronavirus restrictions, but the rest of the House's work will...

FILE – In this Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, file photo, Daisha Graf, 34, pauses for photos wearing a face mask with a message that reads “If you can read this, you’re too close,” in Los Angeles. Virtually every state is reporting surges in cases and deaths. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) NYAG203 NYAG203

December 8, 2020 at 9:21 am

US virus deaths hit record levels with the holidays ahead VIEW

Virtually every state is reporting surges just as a vaccine appears days away from getting the go-ahead in the U.S. The virus is blamed for...

FILE – In this Nov. 12, 2020, file photo, on a mostly empty street, an employee of Justin’s BBQ closes up for the night in Newark, N.J. An increasing number of governors and mayors are imposing restrictions ahead of Thanksgiving for fear that holiday travel and family gatherings will only worsen the record-breaking, coast-to-coast resurgence of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) NYAG101 NYAG101

November 16, 2020 at 1:30 pm

Governors ratchet up restrictions ahead of Thanksgiving VIEW

Governors and mayors across the U.S. are ratcheting up COVID-19 restrictions amid a record-breaking resurgence of the virus that is all but certain to get...

PA Fitness, seen with socially-distanced customers Tuesday, May 19, 2020 in Arlington, is one of two gyms being sued by Attorney General Bob Ferguson because it has remained open in violation of state orders. The business is fundraising for its legal defense. 214006

August 3, 2020 at 5:39 pm

Gyms will need to triple distance for exercising indoors

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee released updated guidance Monday for gyms that nearly triples the minimum distance required for patrons exercising indoors, except for certain team...

Local News