LATEST POLITICAL NEWS FROM ACROSS THE PUGET SOUND REGION

MyNorthwest Politics

Matt Markovich

WA Democrats debating ‘tax the rich’ property plan as alternative to cap increase

Pedersen said lawmakers are exploring a plan to create a tax exemption for primary homes while placing a heavier burden on luxury properties and wealthy investors.
2 years ago
minimum wage burien...
Brandon Thompson, KIRO 7 News

Burien Special Election: Measure to increase minimum wage leading in votes

As early results rolled on Tuesday night, a measure in Burien to create a minimum wage increase is leading by several hundred votes.
2 years ago
deport illegal immigrants...
MyNorthwest Staff

Curley blasts latest Senate bill: ‘God forbid we deport a criminal’

Washington legislators have passed a bill in the Senate that could help block undocumented immigrants with criminal records from being deported.
2 years ago
levies seattle...
Gwen Baumgardner, KIRO 7 News

Seattle voters approve two key levies for public school

When the results of two levies from the Special Election were released Tuesday night, Proposition 1 was passing with more than 77% of voters approving the measure. More than 71% of voters approved of Proposition 2.
2 years ago
Photo: The Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington....
Matt Markovich

Democratic proposal would raise state minimum wage to $25/hour by 2032

If passed, Senate Bill 5578 would set Washington’s minimum wage on a path to $25 per hour by 2032.
2 years ago
blast balls...
Luke Duecy

Seattle lawmakers vote to bring back blast balls for crowd control

One of the key issues being debated among the Seattle City Council is whether police should be allowed to use less-lethal weapons, specifically blast balls.
2 years ago
millionaires' tax...
MyNorthwest Staff

Curley: New Washington misdemeanors bill is ‘simply going soft on criminals again’

KIRO Newsradio host John Curley believes a Washington bill around misdemeanors introduced in the Olympia Legislature will invite more lawlessness in the state.
2 years ago
Photo: Traffic in Seattle....
Matt Markovich

Reducing traffic stops: Bill proposes warnings by mail, targeted enforcement for safer roads

Democrats have tried to pass a revised traffic safety bill for five years and they are trying again this legislative session.
2 years ago
Photo: Kendra Dahmer, a postdoctoral researcher studying infectious disease, works in a laboratory ...
Julia Dallas

Restraining order granted to stop Trump’s cuts to health research amid Washington AG lawsuit

A temporary restraining order was granted Monday to stop the Trump administration from cutting funding for medical and public health research.
2 years ago
Photo: Donald Trump speaks along the southern border with Mexico, on Aug. 22, 2024, in Sierra Vista...
Matt Markovich

Democratic state lawmakers push back against Trump’s deportation policies with new clemency bill

As President Trump continues his push to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records, Washington State Democrats have passed a bill in the Senate that could help some avoid removal.
2 years ago
millionaires' tax...
Matt Markovich

Legislation to lower school bond approval threshold stalls on eve of important elections

With six school bonds set for a public vote on Tuesday, efforts to reduce the voter approval requirement for school district bonds in Washington have stalled.
2 years ago
A voter drops a ballot into a box in Seattle ahead of the Washington primary election on Tuesday, A...
Brandon Thompson, KIRO 7 News

Special Elections: What voters will decide on Tuesday

Washington voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, deciding the fate of several large school construction plans, security improvements and dueling strategies to address the cost of living.
2 years ago
millionaires' tax...
Brandon Thompson, KIRO 7 News

More than $300 million in federal funds frozen in Washington State amidst political battle

WA DNR said around $100 million of federal funding for wildfire response, reimbursment, prevention and grants for local departments to buy equipment has been halted.
2 years ago
Photo: Seattle Sounders FC fans cheers for his team at the stadium during the match between Toronto...
Matt Markovich

A fart tax? State lawmaker suggests sports fans pay up for methane emissions

A Republican lawmaker made an unusual suggestion during a public hearing Thursday on a bill that could lead to a fart tax on cows.
2 years ago
snohomish county jail cell dead...
Matt Markovich

Justice vs. safety: Washington lawmakers clash over sentencing reform bill

A bill advanced in Olympia that may lead to a floor vote on one of the most significant law and justice bills of this session. It involves sentencing reform.
2 years ago
Image: Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, left, departs a press availability in Seattle after ...
The MyNorthwest staff with wire reports

Judge grants injunction in WA lawsuit against birthright citizenship order

A second federal judge in two days, this one in Seattle, has blocked President Donald Trump's birthright citizenship order.
2 years ago
Photo: Housing in Seattle, Washington....
Matt Markovich

Washington bill takes aim at corporate homebuyers, tries to level playing field for families

In a move to preserve homeownership opportunities and combat escalating housing prices, a new bill — Senate Bill 5496 — has been introduced in Washington.
2 years ago
Image: Pam Bondi gets sworn in before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearing, ...
Matt Markovich and Steve Coogan

Report: Sanctuary cities to see federal funding paused; city of Seattle responds

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to issue several major directives, including the agency pausing all federal funding for sanctuary cities.
2 years ago
Photo: A parking lot in Seattle, Washington....
Matt Markovich

Washington lawmakers push to slash parking requirements, paving way for new housing

A major shift could be coming to Washington's zoning laws and it all revolves around parking.
2 years ago
President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order barring transgender female athletes...
The MyNorthwest staff and wire reports

Trump signs executive order intended to bar transgender athletes from female sports

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday intended to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women’s sports.
2 years ago
Sen. Murray to skip Trump speech, as other lawmakers bring special guests...
Bill Kaczaraba

Sen. Patty Murray: ‘We are pulling the fire alarm here’

Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray joined other Democratic senators to address concerns over Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.
2 years ago
gaza strip trump...
David Rising and Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press

Trump’s suggestion that US ‘take over’ the Gaza Strip is rejected by allies and adversaries alike

Trump’s proposal that the U.S. “take over” the Gaza Strip and permanently resettle its Palestinian residents was swiftly rejected and denounced.
2 years ago
Image: The Washington State Capitol campus in Olympia can be seen in a recent photo. Democratic leg...
Matt Markovich

WA Senate Democrats propose stricter regulations for ballot measure initiatives

Washington Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to tighten regulations on the state's processes for initiatives and referendums.
2 years ago
Image: The city of Tacoma named Patti Jackson as its interim police chief on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025....
Steve Coogan

City of Tacoma announces Patti Jackson will serve as interim police chief

Tacoma City Manager Elizabeth Pauli has appointed Patti Jackson as the Tacoma Police Department's interim police chief.
2 years ago