LATEST POLITICAL NEWS FROM ACROSS THE PUGET SOUND REGION

MyNorthwest Politics

democrat supermajority olympia...
Matt Markovich

Washington Medicaid funding on the chopping block: Federal cuts could worsen state deficit

House Republicans in Congress passed a budget resolution Tuesday proposing drastic cuts to Medicaid funding.
2 years ago
Photo: U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA)....
Julia Dallas

Newhouse pushes bills to protect land from the Chinese Communist Party

U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse has reintroduced legislation to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from buying American farmland.
2 years ago
Photo: A nurse checks on a patient at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington....
Matt Markovich

Washington House Speaker lays out ‘devastating cuts’ in a possible ‘no-new-taxes’ budget

Washington State is grappling with a significant budget shortfall.
2 years ago
Shared street in Belltown...
Matt Markovich

State Senate gives green light to cities to reduce speed limits to 10 mph

The state Senate passed a bill granting local lawmakers the ability to lower speed limits on designated "shared streets" to just 10 miles per hour.
2 years ago
Kennewick woman apologizes for killing a man. (Getty Images)...
Frank Sumrall

‘Get the troublemakers out:’ John Curley on landmark CARES Act ruling for landlords

With this ruling regarding the CARES Act, landlords in Washington may now issue 10‑day comply‑or‑vacate notices for breaches of lease agreements and even three‑day notices for issues such as nuisance, waste or unlawful activity.
2 years ago
employer shuttles bill...
Matt Markovich

Bill to open bus only lanes to employer shuttles sparks debate in Olympia

A proposed bill in Olympia aims to let employer shuttles use transit lanes, igniting discussion among business and transit leaders.
2 years ago
Photo: A firearm is displayed....
Matt Markovich

Round 2: Washington lawmakers reignite gun permit fight after failing last year

Lawmakers are once again trying to push a bill for more stringent requirements on firearm purchases, transfers and concealed carry licenses.
2 years ago
millionaires' tax...
Matt Markovich

Washington legislature’s first deadline claims hundreds of bills — But are they really dead?

The Washington State Legislature hit its first "do-or-die" deadline for policy bills on Friday.
2 years ago
Bonney Lake...
Frank Lenzi

Controversy over tree removal for proposed Bonney Lake housing development

Some Pierce County residents oppose a proposed housing development near Lake Bonney that would include 19 homes.
2 years ago
Aftermath of a Russian missile attack on Lviv, Ukraine, Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo: Oleksandr Pshenychny...
Sam Campbell

‘Betrayal’: Ukrainian-Americans in Seattle slam Trump, prepare to protest

Over the past week, tensions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have worsened, as Zelenskyy said Ukraine was not invited to American ceasefire talks with Russia and Trump labeled the Ukrainian leader a “dictator.”
2 years ago
Photo: A man smokes along a road. (Photo: Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto via Getty Images) - tobacco...
Matt Markovich

Proposed tobacco and vapor tax hike would make small dent in $14 billion deficit

The democratically sponsored bill targets three key areas: cigarettes, tobacco products and vapor products.
2 years ago
Photo: People arrive to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during opening day of the Community Vac...
Matt Markovich

Public health and political power: Democratic bill says ‘best science’ must be followed

House Bill 1531 is a new piece of legislation that was advanced on Friday in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee with an 11-7 vote, split strictly along party lines.
2 years ago
Semi Truck...
Matt Markovich

Truckers say ‘no way’ to EVs: Push back against California-style emission rules

Washington’s trucking industry sounded the alarm during a State Senate hearing on Friday, warning that the state's alignment with California's emission standards will cripple the region’s long-haul trucking sector.
2 years ago
millionaire's tax ferguson heywood...
Matt Markovich

Revised bill overhauling governor’s emergency powers weakened by Democrats, say republicans

A Senate committee voted Friday to advance a revised bill aimed at limiting the governor’s emergency powers.
2 years ago
Board of Spokane County Commissioners...
MyNorthwest Staff

Spokane County now allows deputies to clear homeless encampments

Spokane County deputies can now dismantle homeless encampments if it's necessary for public safety.
2 years ago
Matt Markovich

Prison reform bill passes state senate: Critics warn early releases threaten public safety

A bill designed to reshape how Washington’s prison system handles the release of incarcerated individuals passed the state Senate on Thursday, though critics argue it risks releasing criminals too soon.
2 years ago
The Washington State Senate made a big move on Thursday that could change how cities handle parking...
Matt Markovich

State Senate redraws parking rules: Will it fix the housing crisis or create a parking nightmare?

The Washington State Senate made a big move on Thursday that could change how cities handle parking, but not everyone is thrilled about it.
2 years ago
Microsoft Teams is often used for instant messaging. (Photo: Getty Images)...
Bill Kaczaraba

King County councilmembers move to stop auto-deleting instant messages

King County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Rod Dembowski introduced an ordinance Thursday to end the county’s practice of automatically deleting instant messaging sent between county employees.
2 years ago
Should driver's ed include work zone safety?...
Chris Sullivan

Chokepoints: Should work zone safety be prioritized in driver’s ed?

Work zone speed cameras are about to go active. Should work zone safety be taught during driver's education?
2 years ago
washington legislature kids fentanyl...
Matt Markovich

Washington senate moves rent cap bill forward, but not without a fight

The Washington Senate's rent control discussions ignite debate on housing affordability and tenant rights across the state.
2 years ago
Rally held at UW to protest Trump's funding cuts: 'We’re seeing graduate programs actually freezi...
MyNorthwest Staff

Rally held at UW to protest Trump’s funding cuts: ‘We’re seeing graduate programs actually freezing’

Higher education workers plan to rally at the University of Washington on Wednesday afternoon to protest federal funding cutbacks ordered by the Trump administration.
2 years ago
Capitol Hill entrepreneur and community figure Rachael Savage announced her candidacy for Seattle m...
James Lynch

Mayor Harrell says Seattle is ‘on the rise’ in State of the City address

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell presented his 2025 State of the City address at Benaroya Hall Tuesday. In his words, the state of the city is "on the rise."
2 years ago
Image: Traffic on Interstate 5 north near Exit 88 at Grand Mound. was backed up for miles due to ro...
Matt Markovich

Washington’s road usage charge is running out of gas – for now

Washington's road usage charge faces uncertainty, jeopardizing critical funding for infrastructure projects amid legislative challenges.
2 years ago
car insurance impound...
Frank Lenzi

Officers would confiscate cars from police evaders under proposed bill

Some state lawmakers, including a former police officer, want to crack down on people who try to run from police.
2 years ago