Olympia

In this Jan. 12, 2018 photo, Ben Garrison, of Puyallup, Wash., wears his Kel-Tec RDB gun, and several magazines of ammunition, during a gun rights rally at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

With gun reform law in limbo, Edmonds rep is ‘confident’ it will prevail

Despite a two-hour legal period last week, the high-capacity ammunition magazine ban remains in place.

 

Gov. Jay Inslee passes off a pen after signing HB1879 on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Tulalip Casino’s Orca Ballroom in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

In Tulalip, Inslee signs bills to push back against opioid crisis

Washington set an example by passing more than a dozen behavioral health and overdose prevention bills, tribal leaders said Tuesday.

 

Community Health Center of Snohomish County’s new student health clinic at Mountlake Terrace High School on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Legislature OKs plan with $25M for Snohomish County projects

The capital budget passed Wednesday includes money for Marysville schools, behavioral health services in Arlington and more.

 

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, at right, looks over at Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, ranking minority member of Senate Transportation Committee, at left, after participating in a panel during a legislative session preview in the Cherberg Building at the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

How did Snohomish County lawmakers’ bills fare in Olympia?

As thousands of bills churned in the Legislature, only a fraction made it to their journey’s end in this 60-day legislative session.

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, at right, looks over at Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, ranking minority member of Senate Transportation Committee, at left, after participating in a panel during a legislative session preview in the Cherberg Building at the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
FILE - Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs poses in front of photos of the 15 people who previously held the office on Nov. 22, 2021, after he was sworn in at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Hobbs faces several challengers as he runs for election to the office he was appointed to last fall. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs: ‘I wanted to serve my country’

Hobbs, a former Lake Stevens senator, is the recipient of the Henry M. Jackson Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

FILE - Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs poses in front of photos of the 15 people who previously held the office on Nov. 22, 2021, after he was sworn in at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Hobbs faces several challengers as he runs for election to the office he was appointed to last fall. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Members of the House convene on the first day of the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Legislature OKs initiatives on income tax, parental rights, police pursuits

Initiatives concerning the capital gains tax, the Climate Commitment Act and the long-term care insurance program will be on the November ballot.

Members of the House convene on the first day of the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Everett police officers survey the scene of a shooting along East Casino Road on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Washington’s 5th police academy could be in Snohomish County

A new academy in Northwest Washington would help clear a lengthy wait list for new police hires to get training.

Everett police officers survey the scene of a shooting along East Casino Road on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sen. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, left, a member of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, speaks Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, looks on at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. After the speech, Inslee signed a bill sponsored by McCoy that seeks to improve oral health on Indian reservations in Washington state. The measure is the first bill the governor has signed this legislative session and it allows tribes to use federal funding for dental therapists. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Curriculum on state tribes to be renamed after late Tulalip legislator

On Tuesday, John McCoy’s former colleagues in the Senate honored the late lawmaker by passing House Bill 1879.

Sen. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, left, a member of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, speaks Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, looks on at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. After the speech, Inslee signed a bill sponsored by McCoy that seeks to improve oral health on Indian reservations in Washington state. The measure is the first bill the governor has signed this legislative session and it allows tribes to use federal funding for dental therapists. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The Nimbus Apartments are pictured on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish County has the highest rent in the state. Could this bill help?

In one year, rent for the average two-bedroom apartment in Snohomish County went up 20%. A bill seeks to cap any increases at 7%.

The Nimbus Apartments are pictured on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
People begin to peruse the temporary space for the new school health center at Meadowdale High School with the help of Community Health Center’s Anna Scheglov, left, on Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett student health centers, estuary work prioritized in state plan

If approved, the state Senate’s supplemental capital budget plan would give an extra $12 million to Snohomish County projects.

People begin to peruse the temporary space for the new school health center at Meadowdale High School with the help of Community Health Center’s Anna Scheglov, left, on Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A group of travelers aboard the MV Suquamish watch from the sun deck as MV Tokitae passes starboard side on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in the waters near Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Bill seeks to improve ferry reliability with a work group

While the state Department of Transportation isn’t completely on board, Rep. Greg Nance thinks his bill will help ferries long-term.

A group of travelers aboard the MV Suquamish watch from the sun deck as MV Tokitae passes starboard side on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in the waters near Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Law enforcement officers, firefighters and medics from Snohomish, King and Pierce counties use computers to simulate an active shooter scenario in a ballroom at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

0.3% sales tax for public safety has support of local Democrats, police

A proposed law would allow local councils to bypass voters and impose an extra tax. Snohomish County voters narrowly rejected a similar tax in 2016.

Law enforcement officers, firefighters and medics from Snohomish, King and Pierce counties use computers to simulate an active shooter scenario in a ballroom at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331

Edmonds rep’s bill would try to stop police from lying in interrogations

Rep. Strom Peterson’s measure aims to make statements inadmissible if police use deceptive tactics to get those statements.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
Ian Terry / The Herald

Cocoon House advocate Morgan Huber (right) talks with teens gathered at the nonprofit's U-Turn drop-in center on Broadway in Everett on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Photo taken on 12132016

Bipartisan bill aims to curb homelessness among young adults

Rep. Julio Cortes, D-Everett, and Rep. Carolyn Eslick, R-Sultan, want to fund temporary housing for those exiting treatment at ages 18 to 24.

Ian Terry / The Herald

Cocoon House advocate Morgan Huber (right) talks with teens gathered at the nonprofit's U-Turn drop-in center on Broadway in Everett on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Photo taken on 12132016
Drivers head northbound on I-5 through Everett on Thursday, March 31, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Should Washington require headlights 24 hours a day on highways?

Sen. John Lovick’s bill aims to create “a culture of safety” on state highways. Opponents say it could promote “disproportionate enforcement priorities.”

Drivers head northbound on I-5 through Everett on Thursday, March 31, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynn Deeken, the Dean of Arts, Learning Resources & Pathways at EvCC, addresses a large gathering during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Cascade Learning Center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Free community college bill advances through House committee

If the bill passes, Snohomish County graduates could get one year of free college locally, regardless of income.

Lynn Deeken, the Dean of Arts, Learning Resources & Pathways at EvCC, addresses a large gathering during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Cascade Learning Center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Traffic moves along I-405 between Highway 522 and Highway 527 where WSDOT received the approval to build a second express toll lane on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Bothell, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

I-405 express lanes soon to become more expensive for commuters

The price increase, approved Monday, will increase tolls to a high of $15 during peak hours.

Traffic moves along I-405 between Highway 522 and Highway 527 where WSDOT received the approval to build a second express toll lane on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Bothell, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The sun shines on the PUD’s microgrid on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mill Creek senator’s bill would expand solar power in WA neighborhoods

The measure looks to benefit people who can’t get solar energy of their own — but could via a neighborhood grid.

The sun shines on the PUD’s microgrid on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A car drives by flowers placed at a memorial for two pedestrians killed at the corner of 204th Street NE and Highway 9 on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County lawmakers again push to lower alcohol limit to 0.05%

If the bill passes, Washington would follow Utah, which lowered the legal limit and saw a 20% decrease in traffic fatalities.

A car drives by flowers placed at a memorial for two pedestrians killed at the corner of 204th Street NE and Highway 9 on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Students exit Everett High School on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 after the first day of school since Feb. 8 due to weather cancellations. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

After pandemic’s peak, more kids missed school; bill aims to solve that

In Everett, attendance rates dropped 15% in a few years. A bill in Olympia aims to get kids back in the classroom.

Students exit Everett High School on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 after the first day of school since Feb. 8 due to weather cancellations. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)