Politics Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Politics

WA lawmakers pass housing, firearm bills ahead of cutoff, leave rent control, recycling bills behind

By Northwest News Network March 15, 2023

A key cutoff deadline in the Washington State Legislature came and went Wednesday, leaving several bills on the cutting room floor

Washington lawmakers are getting back into the swing of working on legislation in committees following a key cutoff deadline. Wednesday marked the final day for legislators to pass bills from the chamber they originated in, meaning most bills that didn't receive a vote on the floor will no longer be considered this session. Read More

Finland’s president addresses WA Legislature on historic first stop of U.S. visit

By Northwest News Network March 7, 2023

Finland's president, Sauli Niinistö, met with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on the first day of a weeklong visit to the United States Monday

The president of Finland kicked off a five-day visit to the U.S. with a stop in Washington's capital Monday, where he made history as the first foreign head of state to address the State Legislature. Continue Reading Read More

New commercial airport site search in WA would get do-over under bill moving through legislature

By Northwest News Network March 3, 2023

Lawmakers behind a new bill to do-over Washington's search for a new commercial airport site say it fixes "mistakes" made with the initial process

A bill that would effectively do-over Washington's search for a new commercial airport has passed a key committee vote in Olympia. Continue Reading New commercial airport site search in WA would get do-over under Read More

Democratic lawmakers steer pay-per-mile into slow lane to replace gas tax, eventually

By Tom Banse February 24, 2023

The road ahead may charge by the mile, but change rolls slowly in the Northwest

Would you prefer to pay a couple of cents for every mile you drive in exchange for not having to pay gas tax or those steep electric car registration fees? A mileage-based tax is the top choice of Pacific Northwest policymakers to make up for the long-term decline in gas tax revenue. But imposition of any new tax tends to be politically fraught, and this one is no Read More

WA bill meant to safeguard foster children appears to have died in committee

By Northwest News Network February 24, 2023

Demonstrators stand on the steps of the Washington Statehouse to show their support for House Bill 1397 a week before its first scheduled committee hearing

A bill inspired by the case of missing child Oakley Carlson is stalled in the Washington Legislature. But supporters hope it can still be revived. Continue Reading WA bill meant to safeguard foster children appears to have died in Read More

Lawmaker proposes ban to keep foreign entities from buying Washington forest and farmland

By Tom Banse February 17, 2023

Conversations with farmers in the Skagit Valley, seen here from Samish Overlook, inspired a Democratic state legislator to propose to bar foreign entities from buying Washington croplands

Legislators in Washington state are joining more than a dozen other states that are considering whether to restrict or ban foreign entities from buying farmland. The initial hearing on Olympia's version of the foreign ownership restrictions however drew more criticism than support on Tuesday. Read More

Northwest lawmakers, courts weigh new rules on gun sales

By Northwest News Network February 10, 2023

Current Washington law already includes background checks and waiting periods for gun sales, but lawmakers are considering legislation to apply those rules to all new gun sales and transfers

Washington lawmakers are weighing bills to place new restrictions on the sale and transfer of guns as new gun laws in Oregon make their way through the courts. Continue Reading Northwest lawmakers, courts weigh new rules on gun salesRead More

Legalizing jaywalking to reduce enforcement inequities considered at Washington statehouse

By Tom Banse February 10, 2023

Police would write no more tickets for jaywalking if the Washington Legislature overcomes skepticism about a pending legalization proposal

Racial and social justice advocates asked Washington legislators Wednesday to repeal laws against jaywalking. However, a bill to do that generated lots of skeptical questions during a state House committee hearing and its prospects are unclear. Read More

WA lawmakers promise bipartisan action to boost housing supply

By Northwest News Network February 1, 2023

Rep. Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia) speaks during a news conference Jan. 31 to highlight a bipartisan effort aimed at increasing the number of available homes in Washington

Legislators in Olympia are considering a host of bills to address the housing crisis, and Tuesday, members from both parties announced they're finding common ground. Continue Reading WA lawmakers promise bipartisan action to boost housing Read More

What if voting were not just a right, but a legally required duty?

By Tom Banse January 26, 2023

Voting in federal elections has been compulsory in Australia for the past 99 years. Australia is frequently held up as a model by supporters of universal voting

Numerous Democrats in the Washington Legislature are backing a new proposal to make voting in elections compulsory. Citizens are required by law to cast ballots in about 25 counties, but in no other U.S. states. Continue Reading What if voting Read More

Gov. Inslee leans into housing and homelessness in 2023 State of the State address

By Tom Banse January 10, 2023

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee walks through the Capitol building in Olympia, en route to deliver his annual State of the State address, Jan. 10, 2023

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee emphasized housing construction and homelessness response during his 2023 State of the State address on Tuesday. The issue is a bipartisan priority for the state Legislature, but approaches differ among the lawmakers who convened in Olympia this week. Read More

Here are six issues atop the agenda for the 2023 Washington Legislature

By Tom Banse January 6, 2023

The flowers in the Washington State Capitol's sunken garden will be back in bloom by the time the 2023 Washington legislative session wraps up in April. The session starts Monday, January 9

Washington state voters and lawmakers appear to be in close alignment on their top priorities for the incoming Washington Legislature. The 2023 session gavels to order at noon on Monday, January 9. Continue Reading Here are six issues Read More

Measure 112 passes, removing slavery language from Oregon Constitution

By Northwest News Network November 9, 2022

Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Ore., May 19, 2021. Measure 112's intent to eliminate “involuntary servitude” as punishment for a crime has concerned some, particularly those running the state’s prison system and local jails

Oregon voters passed a measure that strips language from the state’s constitution allowing for slavery and involuntary servitude when used as a punishment for a crime. Notwithstanding more than 500,000 people voting to keep the language, unofficial returns Tuesday night indicated that the measure was passing by a clear margin. Read More

Ballot drop box observers seen monitoring voters in the Tri-Cities

By Courtney Flatt November 4, 2022

More eyes are on ballots in the Tri-Cities area this election, according to reports from the Benton County auditor. Continue Reading Ballot drop box observers seen monitoring voters in the Tri-CitiesRead More

No labels: Some election overseers want to make their offices nonpartisan to inspire greater trust

By Tom Banse October 13, 2022

Unaffiliated candidate Julie Anderson is challenging incumbent Democrat Steve Hobbs in the race for Washington Secretary of State

Should the top elections official in Washington state officially be a nonpartisan? That's one difference between the top two finalists running for Washington Secretary of State. Continue Reading No labels: Some Read More

Independent candidates test how fed up Northwest voters are with both parties

By Tom Banse October 11, 2022

Independent challenger for state Senate Chris Vance said he goes doorbelling up to six days per week, here in Auburn, Washington

A quartet of independent candidates on the ballot this November in Oregon and Washington state will test voter appetites for a centrist “third way.” They are experienced contenders running for state senate, Oregon governor and Washington Secretary of State. Unaffiliated candidates are popping up around the nation too, with a common theme of being fed up with a divisive Read More

Seeing People As They Are, Not How They Look ‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 35 – With Inclusion & Disability Expert Sara Minkara

By Ashley Beard October 11, 2022

Photo of Sara Minkara. Sara Minkara lost her sight at the age of seven but gained a greater awareness of herself and the world around her. Because she can’t interact… Continue Reading Seeing People Read More

Employees Risk Felonies, Job Loss For Promoting Or Counseling About Abortion, Birth Control, Says University Of Idaho Memo

By Lauren Paterson September 28, 2022

A bird's eye view shows the University of Idaho admin building and clock tower at sunset.

A University of Idaho memo has gone viral in the wake of Idaho’s new abortion law. (Photo by Andrew Lang) Listen The University of Idaho has issued guidance for its… Continue Read More

No Charges In Washington Ballot Drop Box Surveillance Investigation

By Austin Jenkins September 1, 2022

Signs like this one at the Broadview library branch in north Seattle popped up at some King County ballot drop boxes in July. They prompted concerns about voter intimidation and ultimately an investigation by the King County Sheriff's Office.

An investigation by the King County Sheriff’s Office into a ballot drop box surveillance effort organized by conservative activists has wrapped up without criminal charges. Continue Reading No Charges In Washington Ballot Drop Box Read More

Massive New Climate Law Could Give Pacific Northwest Green Businesses A Boost

By Tom Banse August 18, 2022

Tim and Bev Acker, CEO and CFO respectively of Biosonics, stand beside the Seattle company’s new ocean-bottom sonar device, which is designed to facilitate marine energy permitting by identifying and tracking nearby sea life.

Companies large and small around the Pacific Northwest say they are excited by growth opportunities that may flow from the climate, healthcare and tax package signed by President Biden on Tuesday. Turbocharged federal spending could benefit the region’s green energy sector in particular, although congressional Republicans remain dubious that Americans on the whole will Read More

It’s Not Just Police Officers. 911 Dispatchers Are Also In Short Supply

By Austin Jenkins August 11, 2022

Kayla White, a Washington State Patrol dispatcher, sits at her console in the Tacoma communications office. Most weeks she works three 12-hour days, in addition to two other regular eight-hour days, to help cover ongoing staffing shortages. In addition, she and her colleagues now handle calls east of the Cascades after the Wenatchee communications center closed due to a lack of staffing.

Earlier this summer, the Washington State Patrol did something it’s never done before: close one of its eight regional communication centers used to answer 911 calls and dispatch troopers and other first responders to emergencies. Continue Read More

Hobbs, Anderson Lead In WA Secretary Of State’s Race

By Austin Jenkins August 4, 2022

In early ballot returns, Democrat Steve Hobbs was leading the state's top two primary for Secretary of State with 41 percent of the vote. In second place was Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson.

Democratic incumbent Steve Hobbs and independent challenger Julie Anderson were leading Washington’s top two primary for Secretary of State after the initial ballot count Tuesday night. Republican Bob Hagglund, who has never held public office, was in a close third place. Read More

Despite Early Attacks By Republicans, Incumbent Democrats Fared Better Than Expected In WA Legislative Races

By Austin Jenkins August 4, 2022

Majority Democrats in the Washington Legislature performed better in the August 2 primary than Republicans, and even they, thought they would. Early returns showed incumbent Democrats generally polling above 50 percent in key swing districts.

Washington legislative Republicans were taking stock Wednesday of their less than dazzling performance in the initial returns of the August primary. Continue Reading Despite Early Attacks By Read More

New Blood Northwest: First Time Candidates In Eastern Washington

By Johanna Bejarano August 1, 2022

Professional headshots of Maggie Yates, Lindsley Keesling, and Chris Faison

The primary election ballots are in hands of Washington voters. They need to be returned or mailed by Tuesday. [From left to right: Maggie Yates, Lindsey Keesling, and Chris Faison]… Continue Reading New Blood Northwest: First Time Read More

Paid Ballot Observers In Benton County

By Dori Luzzo Gilmour July 28, 2022

The Benton County Auditor is testing a new paid ballot observer program this year using members of partisan and nonpartisan organizations. Continue Reading Paid Ballot Observers In Benton CountyRead More

WA Senator Says Legislature Needs To ‘Focus On Housing’

By Lauren Paterson July 20, 2022

A white house on fire on a black background has a red arrow going up.

Rising home prices and inflation are making it difficult for people to find – or keep – a home. Listen Lauren Paterson reports one Washington state legislator believes housing will… Continue Reading WA Senator Says Legislature Needs To Read More

Washington Primary Will Winnow Large Field For Secretary Of State

By Austin Jenkins July 19, 2022

Some candidates for Washington Secretary of State want to return to poll-based voting, or at least offer it as an option in addition to vote by mail.

For nearly six decades, Republicans held Washington's top election post — Secretary of State. That streak ended last November when Kim Wyman resigned to take an election security post with the Biden administration, and Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Democratic state Sen. Steve Hobbs to the post. Read More

DNA Samples And Genetic Sleuths Helped Solve WA Cold Cases

By Austin Jenkins July 12, 2022

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks at a news conference to announce the first convictions stemming from a forensic genealogy grant program his office created to help local police agencies solve cold cases.

In March 2003, a 17-year-old girl from McCleary, Washington was kidnapped, driven to a remote location and raped. Continue Reading DNA Samples And Genetic Sleuths Helped Solve WA Cold CasesRead More

Judge Acquits Caregiver In 2019 Vinegar Death In Spokane

By Austin Jenkins July 12, 2022

In February 2019, Fikirte Aseged mistakenly gave her developmentally disabled client, Marion Wilson, cleaning strength vinegar in lieu of colonoscopy prep medicine. Wilson died the next day. Aseged was charged with felony assault in the case, but a judge on Thursday acquitted her.

A former caregiver charged in connection with the 2019 poisoning death of a developmentally disabled woman has been acquitted of third degree felony assault. Continue Reading Judge Acquits Caregiver In 2019 Vinegar Death In SpokaneRead More

New Gun Restrictions Take Effect July 1 In Washington

By Austin Jenkins June 30, 2022

A new Washington law that takes effect July 1 will ban the manufacture and sale of gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Two new laws aimed at reducing mass shootings and cracking down on the proliferation of so-called "ghost guns" go into effect July 1 in Washington. Majority Democrats in the state Legislature passed the new restrictions earlier this year. Continue Reading Read More

As Many States Move To Outlaw Abortion, Washington State Democrats Look For Ways To Strengthen Abortion Protections

By Austin Jenkins June 29, 2022

Protesters gather in Seattle after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade CREDIT: Casey Martin / KUOW Photo Listen (Runtime 4:16) Read While the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned… Read More

Vote Fraud Conspiracy Theories Driving Some Candidates For Elections Offices In WA, Elsewhere

By Austin Jenkins June 22, 2022

Mason County Auditor Paddy McGuire, left, faces Republican challenger Steve Duenkel this year. Duenkel is running on an 'election integrity' platform.

Mason County Auditor Paddy McGuire has spent nearly two decades helping run elections, including stints as Oregon deputy secretary of state and at the Department of Defense, ensuring military service members overseas could vote. Read More

Top State Senators Call On Washington Insurance Commissioner To Resign

By Austin Jenkins June 17, 2022

Mike Kreidler, Washington's six-term insurance commissioner, says he won't step down despite calls to do so by both Democratic and Republican state senators. The calls for Kreidler to resign follow the firing of an employee who complained in February about Kreidler's treatment of staff.

The top Democrat and the top Republican in the Washington state Senate called Thursday for elected Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, a 78-year-old, six-term Democrat, to resign. Continue Reading Top State Senators Call On Washington Read More

Aide Who Blew Whistle On Mistreatment Of Staff Fired From Washington Office Of Insurance Commissioner

By Austin Jenkins June 17, 2022

The Office of Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has fired a key aide. The dismissal comes roughly four months after that staffer formally complained about Kreidler's treatment of staff.

The office of Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has fired a top aide who in February formally complained that Kreidler had bullied him, used crass language and was increasingly “antagonizing staff.” Read More

New Draft Report Says Removing The Snake River Dams Would Be Best For Salmon

By Courtney Flatt June 10, 2022

A new draft report says breaching the four Lower Snake River dams would be best for salmon.

Breaching the dams would be the best way to remove Snake River salmon runs from the Endangered Species List and the best way to maintain treaty and trust obligations with tribes, according to the report. It could cost from $10.3 billion to $27.2 billion. Read More

Members Of The Congressional Western Caucus Get A Close Look At Snake River Dams

By Courtney Flatt June 7, 2022

From left, U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas; Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon; and Matt Rosendale, R-Montana. The representatives on Tuesday toured Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River near Pasco, Washington.

Four members of the U.S. Congress recently got a close look at Washington’s Snake River dams. Continue Reading Members Of The Congressional Western Caucus Get A Close Look At Snake River DamsRead More

See Ya! Washington Police Say Drivers Aren’t Stopping For Them; Cite Pursuit Restrictions

By Austin Jenkins May 27, 2022

This Washington State Patrol dashcam video from April captures a white BMW with a stolen license plate failing to stop for a trooper in Olympia. The driver took off at a high rate of speed, but the trooper didn't give chase. Police in Washington say they're seeing a big spike in drivers failing to stop for their lights and sirens following passage of a law that severely restricts when police can engage in a pursuit.

Since January of this year, more than 900 drivers have failed to stop for a Washington State Patrol trooper trying to pull them over. The patrol and other police agencies around the state say they’ve never seen such blatant disregard for their lights and sirens. The change in driver behavior comes after state lawmakers passed strict new rules on when police can engage in Read More

Washington Is Sending Youth In Crisis To Out-Of-State Boarding Schools; Taxpayers Pick Up The Tab

By Austin Jenkins May 24, 2022

Robin Marie and her 13-year-old son Brennan pose for a photo earlier this spring at a restaurant in Texas. Marie was visiting her son who's living at an out-of-state residential treatment facility paid for by his local school district and the state.

Some parents with kids in crisis in Washington are making a heart wrenching decision. They’re sending their children to out-of-state therapeutic boarding schools. And taxpayers are picking up the tab. While these are outlier cases, they highlight ongoing gaps in in-state services — gaps that were laid bare during the COVID pandemic. Read More

Case Of Missing Washington 5-Year-Old Highlights Secrecy Around CPS Cases

By Austin Jenkins May 12, 2022

Missing 5-year-old Oakley Carlson, left, next to an image of her former foster parents Erik and Jamie Jo Hiles of Elma, Washington. The couple has concerns about how Washington's Department of Children Youth and Families handled Oakley's child welfare case and the decision to return the girl to her biological parents.

There are more questions than answers in the case of a missing former foster child from Grays Harbor County. Five-year-old Oakley Carlson has been unaccounted for since February of last year. Police say her parents aren’t cooperating with the investigation. Oakley’s former foster mom questions why Oakley was sent back to live with her parents after more than two years in Read More

Washington Attorney General Announces $476M Settlement With Opioid Distributors

By Austin Jenkins May 4, 2022

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announces an agreement with three major opioid distributors to settle a lawsuit that had gone to trial, but had not yet concluded. Under the agreement, the state and local governments will share a $476 million settlement to address the ongoing public health fallout from the opioid crisis.

Three large opioid distributors will pay the state of Washington $476 million as part of an agreement to end litigation that began more than three years ago. Continue Reading Washington Attorney General Announces $476M Settlement Read More

Washington Seafood Company Fined Following COVID Death

By Austin Jenkins April 26, 2022

A graphic from the state of Washington depicts different forms of face coverings. A Pierce County fish processing plant has been fined for not complying with the state's workplace mask mandate, resulting in the death of an employee from COVID last year.

A Sumner, Washington seafood company that makes imitation crab and other products has been fined $56,000 in connection with a 2021 COVID outbreak that left one employee dead. Continue Reading Washington Seafood Company Fined Following COVID DeathRead More

Washington Lawmakers Of Color Announce Departures, One Calls The Work Environment ‘Toxic’

By Austin Jenkins April 26, 2022

State Rep. Kirsten Harris-Talley, a south Seattle Democrat, is one of three lawmakers of color who are not running for reelection after just one full term in office. In an op-ed, Harris-Talley described the legislative work environment as toxic and said she had been betrayed by House Democratic leadership.

In recent years, Washington’s Legislature has grown more diverse. And majority Democrats have emphasized diversity and equity as core values. But now three members of color, out of nearly 30, are stepping down from the Legislature after serving just one full term. One of them describes the legislative work environment as toxic. Read More

Employees Say State Insurance Chief Used Racist Slurs, Mistreated Staff

By Austin Jenkins April 19, 2022

Former staff allege that Democrat Mike Kreidler, Washington's longtime elected insurance commissioner, has mistreated staff and used offensive and racist language in conversation, which stands in contrast to his record of advocating for marginalized communities.

Washington’s long-time elected insurance commissioner has used offensive terms in the workplace to describe people of different races and ethnicities, as well as people who are transgender. That’s according to former agency insiders who’ve come forward in recent weeks. Meanwhile, other former employees are giving new accounts of what they say is Commissioner Mike Read More

County Election Auditor Battles Ongoing Accusations Of Voting Fraud

By Dori Luzzo Gilmour March 21, 2022

Electioneers greet voters outside the Hamilton County Government Center

Election officials continue to battle false accusations of voting fraud / AP Listen NWPB’s Dori Luzzo Gilmour reports on one election official who continues to battle false accusations of voter… Continue Reading County Election Read More

Washington’s Longtime Insurance Commissioner Accused Of Mistreating Staff

By Austin Jenkins March 3, 2022

Washington's longtime insurance commissioner, Mike Kreidler, is facing allegations that he verbally mistreats staff and that his behavior is destabilizing the office. One top staffer filed a formal complaint in February accusing Kreidler of bullying him and antagonizing staff. The complaint said Kreidler is "not fit to lead" and should consider stepping aside. Kreidler responds that he has high standards for his staff, but also said he will work to be more careful in how he deals with people. He said he has no plans to resign is position.

Mike Kreidler, Washington’s longtime insurance commissioner, is facing allegations that he verbally mistreats staff. Current and former employees say it’s part of a pattern that’s gotten worse in recent months and is contributing to high turnover in the office. Kreidler says he has high standards for his staff, but said he will work to be more careful in how he deals with Read More

WA Dems Ignore Complaints About Out-Of-State Gas Tax

By Tom Banse February 23, 2022

The 400-mile Olympic Pipeline carries gasoline, diesel and jet fuel from refineries in northern Washington state, such as BP Cherry Point shown here, to a distribution hub in Portland, Oregon.… Continue Reading WA Dems Ignore Complaints About Read More

Washington Legislative Staffers Stage Sick-Out After Unionization Bill Dies

By Austin Jenkins February 22, 2022

Democrats in the Washington State Legislature are proposing more spending

In an act of labor solidarity, scores of Democratic staffers in the Washington Legislature staged a “sick-out” Wednesday after a bill that would have allowed them to unionize failed to advance before a key cutoff deadline. Continue Read More

Washington Legislative Staffers Stage Sick-Out After Unionization Bill Dies

By Austin Jenkins February 17, 2022

Democratic staffers in the Washington Legislature staged a "sick out" on Wednesday after a bill that would have allowed them to unionize failed to advance before a key legislative deadline.

Inslee’s Bill To Criminalize Lying About Elections Appears Dead

By Austin Jenkins February 16, 2022

In January, Gov. Jay Inslee took the unusual step of testifying in a legislative committee in favor of a bill he requested to make it a crime for elected officials and candidates for office to incite lawlessness by making false statements about elections. That bill failed to clear the Washington Senate before a key cut-off deadline on February 15.

A measure backed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee that would have made it a crime for elected officials and candidates for office to incite lawlessness by making false statements about elections appears to have died in the state Legislature. Continue Read More

Washington Governor Says Announcement On State Indoor Mask Mandate Coming Next Week

By Austin Jenkins February 10, 2022

Isaac Williams, 6, wears a mask as he prepares to receive a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle. Wash. Gov. Inslee said on Feb. 9, 2022 that he’s lifting outdoor masking requirements.

As states from Oregon to New York announce plans to end mask mandates, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced that he’s lifting outdoor masking requirements and plans to announce next week a date when the face-covering rules for public indoor spaces and schools will be lifted. Read More