A package of bills passed today by the Senate would reduce identity theft and fraud, increase revenue for transportation projects, and enable local districts to raise fees to pay for local road projects. “Every day, the increasing crime of identity theft is stealing money from more Washingtonians’ pockets and siphoning more tax dollars out...
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It is almost hard to believe we are on day 36 of the 60-day legislative session. We are at “cut-off” time, meaning legislative deadlines for when bills must pass out of policy and fiscal committees, and their chambers of origin. It is when hundreds of bills pass, and hundreds more “die on the vine.”...
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My colleagues and I often talk about global warming: both about the science and what mankind can and should do about it. We are pretty much on agreement about two points: (1) Global warming due to human production of greenhouse gases will significantly change the climate of the planet by the end of this...
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During floor debate on February 10, Rep. Glenn Anderson voted against legislation that would move forward two inconsistent policies with Native American tribes in our state. On one hand, under House Bill 2232, Native American tribes would be treated like any other local government entity in the state rather than a sovereign nation. On...
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Owners of electric vehicles would pay an annual $100 fee to make up for lost gas tax revenues under legislation passed today by the Senate on a 31-16 vote. “We think the purchase of electric vehicles is great for the environment but we also need to maintain our roads, which is why we have...
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Legislation that would expand a new, innovative workplace safety program for employers passed out of the Washington State House of Representatives on a 97-0 vote Feb. 9. House Bill 2509, co-sponsored by Rep. Barbara Bailey, would expand the Blueprint for Safety pilot program statewide to offer new tools to businesses to manage their workplaces...
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Exempting certain power generators from Clear Air Act requirements will help Washington farms continue to manage animal waste without harming the environment, under legislation passed today by the Senate on a 41-6 vote. via Haugen exemption protects anaerobic digesters : Washington State Senate Democrats.
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Two proposals to change the way Washington state evaluates teachers were back in play Tuesday in Olympia after being blocked last week by the leaders of Legislature’s education committees. via Local News | Wash. teacher evaluation bills come back to life | Seattle Times Newspaper.
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We wholeheartedly concur: Working against the best interests of their employers (the voters), a few state senators are accelerating this year’s legislative assault on your right to know how your government spends your money. The only good things we can say about Senate Bills 6351 and 6576 is that neither is sponsored by anyone...
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Valuable agricultural lands across the state would gain further protection under legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate. Senate Bill 6082, sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, would help preserve farmland by expanding the environmental checklist for projects that affect, or are located on, agricultural land. via Senate passes Haugen bill to...
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