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A nivel nacional, la rotaci�n de funcionarios electorales alcanz� el 38,7% en 2022. (richjem/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Tendencia de participación de funcionarios electorales se extiende por décadas

Un nuevo informe profundiza en la rotación de funcionarios electorales durante más de dos décadas. Dice que las tasas han aumentado …

Nationally, turnover in election officials reached 38.7% in 2022. (richjem/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Report: Election official turnover trend stretches two decades

A new report dives into election official turnover during more than two decades. It says rates have increased steadily nationwide since 2000…

Congress gave final approval to the 2024 budget after a six-month delay. (doganmesut/Adobe Stock)

Missed opportunities in 2024 budget, peacekeeping groups say

Groups supporting peace around the globe say the budget approved by Congress is lacking crucial components. After a monthslong stalemate, Congress …

Washington state has greater protections against predatory loans than other states. (Serge Aubert/Adobe Stock)

WA lawmakers approve greater predatory loan protections

Lawmakers in Olympia this session moved to add more protections for consumers against predatory loans. Washington state lawmakers passed Senate Bill …

Lawmakers this session in Olympia increased the rate for providers who offer infant care. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

WA makes child-care investments, but more needed

Advocates for accessible child care saw wins during Washington state's legislative session this year but still see room for improvement. Lawmakers …

Washington state voters will see a half dozen initiatives on their ballots come November 5. (adogslifephoto/Adobe Stock)

Ballot measures backed by conservatives could give blow to WA budget

While three initiatives received the go-ahead to appear on Washington's November ballot at the end the legislative session last week, three that have …

El Departamento de Ni�os, J�venes y Familias del Estado de Washington financia un programa que brinda consultas de salud mental para ni�os peque�os. (bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)

Inversión en WA podría ampliar alcance de programa de salud mental infantil

Un programa en el estado de Washington ayuda a niños pequeños con comportamientos problemáticos. Espera conseguir más fondos …

A program that provides mental health consultation for young children is funded by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families. (bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)

WA investment could grow reach of child mental health program

A program in Washington state is helping young kids with challenging behaviors. It's hoping to secure more funding during the legislative session …

The Fair Start for Kids Act passed in 2021 invested a $1.1 billion in child care and early learning in Washington state. (Seattle/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA children of color continue to experience inequities

Washington state's kids see disparities in well-being across racial groups. That's according to the Race for Results report from the Annie E…

Only some fish species near Bradford Island on the Columbia River are safe to eat. (J-B-C/Adobe Stock)

Push to clean up Columbia River site faster after Superfund designation

Advocates are making slow but steady progress to clean up a portion of the Columbia River named a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agenc…

Critics of PacifiCorp say the company broke a 2004 promise to retrofit its hydroelectric dams to include fish passages. (Kevin/Adobe Stock)

Will PacifiCorp make good on its fish recovery promises?

Coming into the new year, Columbia Riverkeeper is supporting efforts by the Cowlitz Tribe and Yakama Nation to restore salmon migration throughout …

A mural at the Patagonia store in Belltown, Washington, reminds residents they all live downriver from the Hanford nuclear site. (Hanford Challenge)

WA communities unite to keep Hanford nuclear site cleanup on track

"We all live downriver from Hanford," is the message painted on the windows of the Patagonia store in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. It is a …

Washington state has 34 community and technical colleges. (Atomic Taco/Wikimedia Commons)

AFT grants to WA help communities find local education solutions

The American Federation of Teachers is partnering with organizations around the country to promote community solutions to the issues education is faci…

Revenue from Washington state's cap-and-trade program has exceeded expectations, bringing in $1.5 billion this year. (martin33/Adobe Stock)

WA cap-and-trade spending falls short for frontline communities

Washington state's Climate Commitment Act promised funds for communities on the front lines of climate change. One group is tracking those dollars to …

Bellingham is the largest city in Whatcom County, which borders Canada. (CascadeCreatives/Adobe Stock)

Opponents push back on initiative to build jail in NW WA

A new jail would be built in northwest Washington if a measure on the November ballot passes. Opponents say it isn't a good solution to issues facing …

The Biden administration has announced student loan forgiveness totaling $39 billion. (darren415/Adobe Stock)

Student Debt Erased for More Than 16,000 Washingtonians

Student debt relief is coming for more than 16,000 Washington state residents. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to allow a greater pool …

The Fair Start for Kids Act increases the income threshold to receive subisidies for child care. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

With Industry in Crisis, WA Addresses Child Care Woes

Child care is one the costliest services for families across the country. Advocates for child well being say Washington state has positioned itself …

Since July 2022, 2-1-1 has received more than 380,000 calls from residents in Washington state. (Gajus/Adobe Stock)

WA 211 Helpline Sees Jump in Calls

A helpline to help people connect with resources when they're in need has seen an uptick in calls to its service. However, funding remains a …

States across the country are working to bring broadband to rural areas. (Pink Badger/Adobe Stock)

State Grants Bring High Speed Internet to Rural Washingtonians

State grants could bring high-speed internet access to nearly 15,000 Washingtonians. The State Broadband Office is awarding $121 million to 19 …

Los cuidadores a domicilio obtuvieron importantes victorias en Olimpia este a�o, como el aumento del tiempo libre remunerado y las prestaciones de jubilaci�n. (SEIU 775)

Legisladores de WA abordan falta de personal en el sector del cuidado

Los legisladores garantizaron más de 760 millones de dólares en su presupuesto para aumentar salarios y prestaciones de los proveedores de s…

At-home caregivers scored major victories in Olympia this year, including increased paid time off and retirement benefits. (SEIU 775)

WA Lawmakers Address Understaffed Caregiving Industry

Lawmakers guaranteed more than $760 million in their budget to boost wages and benefits for home care service providers. That means Washington …

The lower Snake River dams are aging, reducing their usefulness especially in energy production. (Samir Arora/Adobe Stock)

Historic Step Forward for Snake River Dam Replacement in WA Budget

Funding in Washington state's budget is pushing efforts forward to remove four lower Snake River dams in order to save salmon. Lawmakers committed …

The increasing cost of prescription drugs has forced some to skip medications. (Henrik Dolle/Adobe Stock)

In 2023 Session, WA Bills Tackling Health Costs Fall Short

A number of measures to make health care more affordable failed to cross the finish line in Olympia this session. Advocates say the cost of health …

Seattle Central College's maritime program was nearly cut in 2022 because of a lack of funding. (Joe Mabel/Wikimedia Commons)

WA Community, Tech College Profs Call for Greater State Investment

Community and technical college staff are planning a day of action Tuesday to urge the Washington state Legislature to provide adequate funding to the…

Los cuidadores se reunieron en el Capitolio del Estado de Washington para pedir un sistema fiscal m�s progresivo en el Estado. (SEIU 775)

Cuidadores marchan en Olympia y piden impuesto para los ricos

Los cuidadores a domicilio y los trabajadores de residencias de ancianos se concentraron en Olympia el miércoles para mostrar su apoyo al presupu…

Caregiving workers gathered at the Washington State Capitol to call for a more progressive tax system in the state. (SEIU 775)

Caregivers Rally in Olympia, Call for Tax on Wealthy

In-home caregivers and nursing-home workers rallied in Olympia yesterday to show support for lawmakers' budget and call for more revenue in the future…

Army Col. Paris D. Davis received the Medal of Honor at the White House in March. (Bernardo Fuller/Wikimedia Commons)

Medal of Honor Recipients in DC as Museum, Monument Move Forward

This month marks 160 years since the first Medal of Honor was awarded by President Abraham Lincoln. More than a dozen of the 65 recipients alive …

Kelp beds in Puget Sound are important habitat for marine life. (knelson20/Adobe Stock)

WA DNR Seeks Input on Kelp, Eelgrass Conservation

Kelp and eelgrass are in trouble, and Washington state wants help from the public identifying where these marine plant species should be saved…

In the midst of a housing crisis, a program in the state Legislature would create a fund for low-income Washingtonians to buy a home. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

WA Baby Bond Bill Could Help Address Racial Wealth Gap

In Olympia, lawmakers want to address the wealth gap early with a fund set aside for children of low-income households. The Washington future fund …

A program in Colorado gives undocumented workers who are laid off access to unemployment benefits for up to 13 weeks. (Mr Doomits/Adobe Stock)

Undocumented Workers Could Get Access to Unemployment Under WA Bill

Undocumented workers in Washington state do not have access to unemployment insurance, but some state lawmakers aim to change it this session…

Washington state's approximately 67,700 employees have contracts up for ratification this session. (George Cole/Adobe Stock)

Amid Retention Issues, WA State Workers Push for Raises

Washington state workers face a bevy of challenges, but they hope to get a lifeline from lawmakers this legislative session. Along with lagging pay…

Washington state's tax code has been rated one of the nation's most regressive. (frittipix/Adobe Stock)

WA Joins Multi-State Effort to Pass Wealth Tax

Lawmakers in Washington and other states are introducing bills taxing wealth in their legislatures in a coordinated effort today. In Olympia…

Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Dungeness, spoke to the Age Wave Coalition on Thursday. (Christina Clem/AARP Washington)

Groups Gather in Olympia to Discuss WA 'Age Wave'

With the state legislative session underway, a coalition advocating for older Washingtonians gathered on Thursday to discuss priorities for 2023…

Gov. Jay Inslee's last live State of the State address to lawmakers was in 2020. (TVW)

Gov. Inslee's State of the State Covers WA's 'Multifaceted' Challenges

Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his State of the State speech on Tuesday to open up the 2023 legislative session, touching on a wide range of issues he …

La demanda de cuidadores en el hogar est� creciendo a medida que la poblaci�n envejece r�pidamente. (pikselstock/Adobe Stock)

WA Cuidadores buscan ayuda de legisladores por escasez de trabajadores

Hay escasez de cuidadores en el hogar en el estado de Washington, pero un sindicato que representa a estos trabajadores espera que los legisladores …

About 10% of the child care workforce has left the profession, compared to the numbers at the start of the pandemic. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Child-Care Crisis Squeezes Families, Workers as WA Session Begins

Child care could be a crucial issue for state lawmakers as the session begins in Olympia today. Because of its cost, early childhood education and …

The demand for in-home caregivers is growing as the population rapidly ages. (pikselstock/Adobe Stock)

WA Caregivers Look to Lawmakers for Help with Worker Shortage

There is a shortage of in-home caregivers in Washington state, but a union representing workers hopes state lawmakers will be able to make changes …

The number of full-time staff at the NLRB has dropped nearly 40% this year. (Timon/Adobe Stock)

Unions Call for Full NLRB Funding Before Lame Duck Congress Ends

Labor unions are calling on Congress to fully fund the National Labor Relations Board before its lame duck session ends. The NLRB has seen its …

Lawmakers are coming back to Olympia for a long, 105-day session in January. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

WA Group Urges Lawmakers to Resist Austerity, Invest in 'Public Good'

The Washington state 2023 legislative session is fast approaching, and one group is urging lawmakers to prioritize investments over budget cuts…

Child poverty dropped to 5.2% during the pandemic because of the expanded Child Tax Credit and other relief efforts. (ktay21/Adobe Stock)

No Corporate Tax Cuts without Family Tax Relief, Dems Say

CORRECTION: Monthly amounts of the expanded Child Tax Credits were $250 (ages 0 to 5) to $300 (ages 6 to 17). An earlier version of this story had …

Businesses in Bellingham have displayed some of the origami butterflies that are part of a campaign called

WA Community Urges Creation of Immigrant Resource Center

Community members in northwest Washington are gathering support for an immigrant resource center. In September, Democrats in Whatcom County …

At the beginning of 2023, lawmakers will head to Olympia for their long, 105-day session. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

College Staffers Lay Out Priorities for WA Legislative Session

Community and technical college faculty members are preparing for the legislative session in Olympia, and among the top priorities for the American …

The timber industry has nearly disappeared in Washington state in the past three decades, creating challenges for communities. (Leslie C Saber/Adobe Stock)

$1 Billion Pilot Program from Congress Aims to Help Distressed Communities

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural Washington communities a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act, passed last …

A version of last year's Build Back Better proposal included $400 billion for child care and preschool. (oksix/Adobe Stock)

So Far, Child-Care Industry Left Out of Senate Reconciliation Package

Child care advocates say there is a big hole in the reconciliation package being considered by the U.S. Senate. Support for the child care industry …

Revenue from timber sales and leasing on about 1.8 million acres of public land goes to Washington state's K-12 Common School Trust. (dnr.wa.gov)

Unions Warn of Potential Effect on Jobs from WA Timber, Schools Proposal

Washington state's top education official is proposing a change to how timber revenue is used for schools. Unions are urging caution so the policy …

Washington state ranks 22nd in average student debt. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

WA Low-Interest Loans Would Cut Student Debt

The cost of higher education is a major headache for people, even years after they've graduated. A program in Washington state aims to make borrowing …

The Washington state Legislature set aside $144 million for nursing homes this fiscal year. (CrackerClips/Adobe Stock)

WA Nursing Home Workers Demand Raises Promised by Legislature

Nursing home workers at a Washington state facility are calling on their employer to raise their wages with money set aside in the Legislature's budge…

It's estimated about 0.2% of Washingtonians would be subject to the recently passed capital-gains tax. (Dilok/Adobe Stock)

Initiative to Repeal WA Capital-Gains Tax Failing to Gain Support

An initiative that would repeal Washington's capital-gains tax on the state's richest residents is struggling to gain traction. Initiative No…

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WA: Budget Policy & Priorities