Listen
Washington lawmakers are considering reducing the penalty for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Right now, it’s a gross misdemeanor and can lead to fines, hefty court fees and even jail time.
Virla Spencer is with the Center for Justice in Spokane. She said the law disproportionately affects low-income people who have to choose between driving to work without a license or losing out on income.
“If they end up being pulled over and they get a ticket, they don’t resolve the ticket within a timely matter, it is then referred over to the Department of Licensing and their driver’s license is suspended,” Spencer said. “They end up going to jail behind a choice on feeding their families.”
Lawmakers are considering changing the least serious offense, driving without a license in the third degree, from a misdemeanor to a traffic infraction with a $250 penalty.
At a public hearing Monday, some argued against that change, saying there should be hefty consequences for driving without a license.
Related Stories:
Washington Lawmakers Consider Lifting Affirmative Action Ban
Affirmative action has been forbidden in Washington for the last 20 years, but now state senators are considering repealing the ban. After a vote of the people in 1998, state government bodies have been barred from giving preferential treatment to minorities in public education, hiring and contracting. Continue Reading Washington Lawmakers Consider Lifting Affirmative Action Ban Read More » Enrique Pérez de la Rosa January 26, 2018
Former Washington DFW Official Convicted Of Rape; Current Director Resigns
A former top official at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been convicted of breaking into the home of a colleague and raping her. The verdict Wednesday follows a lengthy trial in a case that revealed a sexualized workplace culture at the agency. Continue Reading Former Washington DFW Official Convicted Of Rape; Current Director Resigns Read More » Austin Jenkins January 24, 2018
Washington Lawmakers Propose Banning Controversial Type Of Chemicals
The Washington House Environment Committee hosted public hearings Tuesday on two bills that would restrict a class of chemicals found in everything from firefighting retardant to food wrappers. Continue Reading Washington Lawmakers Propose Banning Controversial Type Of Chemicals Read More » Emily Schwing January 23, 2018