Making Washington a place to prosper.

Politics unPacked: Week 10

Politics unPacked: Week 10

From new tax proposals to another parental rights debate, Brandi Kruse has everything you need to know about what happened in Olympia this week.

By Brandi Kruse

Mid-session update: Several disastrous bills fall short, but much to watch out for

Mid-session update: Several disastrous bills fall short, but much to watch out for

Thank you to the thousands of you who have contacted lawmakers and signed in for committee hearings in response to our action alerts. With sign-ins especially often 10:1 in favor of a common-sense position, the response from our community has not gone unnoticed. Wednesday, March 12, marked a significant cutoff date for the Washington legislative...

Politics unPacked: Week 9

Politics unPacked: Week 9

From a heated parental rights debate to Gov. Bob Ferguson taking emergency power reform into his own hands. Brandi Kruse has everything you need to know about what happened this week in Olympia.

By Brandi Kruse

Washington’s budget can be balanced responsibly and without tax increases

Washington’s budget can be balanced responsibly and without tax increases

The state budget with its $6.6 billion shortfall has loomed over the legislative session and will soon become the primary focal point. Democrat legislative leaders and Governor Bob Ferguson have been planting seeds for a “measured” approach -which includes spending cuts and tax increases – and a heavy emphasis on the latter. But that approach...

Olympia wants to take away local control on homelessness

Olympia wants to take away local control on homelessness

Olympia has done a terrible job handling Washington’s homelessness crisis. Now, they want to take away local control and force cities to allow encampments on public land. Say hello to HB 1380: Sponsored by Rep. Mia Gregerson (D–SeaTac), this bill would tie the hands of cities and force them to allow homeless encampments on public land....

Lawmakers revive proposal to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers

Lawmakers revive proposal to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers

A proposal that failed to pass last year has returned to the legislature, reigniting debate over whether striking workers should be eligible for unemployment benefits. Senate Bill 5041 would allow workers who go on strike to collect unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, a program that is traditionally reserved for individuals who lose their jobs through no...

Lynnwood Times: Who is voting for what? Future 42 releases its scorecard for local governments

Lynnwood Times: Who is voting for what? Future 42 releases its scorecard for local governments

The Lynnwood Times has covered Future 42 Snohomish County’s scorecards: Future 42 Snohomish County has analyzed key 2024 votes in the Snohomish County Council, and the city councils of Edmond, Everett, and Lynnwood into a custom scorecard for each to help inform residents if local council members are reflecting their values with their votes. Links to the...

Washington lawmakers push for recycling scheme at your expense

Washington lawmakers push for recycling scheme at your expense

Washington lawmakers are considering legislation, known as the “bottle bill,” that would impose a new bottle deposit system on residents, despite concerns that similar programs in other states have led to higher costs, fraud, and declining recycling rates. House Bill 1607, sponsored by Rep. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver), would require consumers to pay a 10-cent deposit...

LOAD MORE