Government Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

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

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

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

City Of Yakima Will No Longer Display Private Flag

By Johanna Bejarano May 12, 2022

City Of Yakima Will No Longer Display Private Flag Continue Reading City Of Yakima Will No Longer Display Private FlagRead 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

Washington State Legislators Propose Tax On Oregon Drivers’ Fuel

By Tom Banse February 10, 2022

The 400-mile Olympic Pipeline carries gasoline, diesel and jet fuel from refineries in northern Washington state.

Democrats in charge of the Washington Legislature are proposing a new tax on gasoline and diesel fuel destined for Oregon, Idaho and Alaska to partially pay for a cornucopia of highway, transit, rail, bike trail and ferry construction across Washington state. The "exported fuel tax" was included in a transportation spending and revenue package unveiled Tuesday in Olympia. Read More

Earthquake Safety Of Schools On Ballot On Washington Coast Feb. 8, Possibly Statewide In November

By Tom Banse January 29, 2022

Feature image of Earthquake safety story

The January 15 volcanic eruption near Tonga was a stark reminder of the threats posed by tsunamis. That's long been a concern in the Pacific Northwest, where thousands of students go to school within reach of a large tsunami. Read More

Third Violent Incident Closes Parkway On Washington’s Capitol Campus

By Austin Jenkins October 28, 2021

Police tape blocks access to Deschutes Parkway on the edge of Washington's Capitol Campus on Wednesday, October 27. The Washington State Patrol was investigating a midday shooting that sent one man to the hospital. It was the third violent crime in the same area in the month of October.

For the third time this month, Deschutes Parkway, which curves past Capitol Lake along the edge of Washington’s Capitol Campus, has been closed due to a violent crime. Continue Reading Third Violent Incident Closes Parkway On Washington’s Read More

A Grab-Bag Of Juicy Local Measures On Nov. 2 Ballot In Absence Of Statewide Initiatives

By Tom Banse October 28, 2021

People First Bellingham campaign volunteers Seth Mangold and Sage Jones sought voter support for their coalition's four initiatives at the Bellingham Farmers Market on Saturday.

There are no statewide initiative measures on the ballot this November in Oregon and Washington state. That’s a change from usual, but voters around the region are casting ballots on a variety of newsworthy local initiatives. Read More

Should Civics Have A More Prominent Place In Washington Schools?

By Doug Nadvornick February 16, 2021

Advocates for police accountability and racial justice rallied on the steps of the Washington Capitol in June 2020. Now the Washington Legislature is taking up those issues as it welcomes a record number of lawmakers of color. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

This is the first academic year when districts in Washington are required to teach a stand-alone civics education course, not just something embedded in existing social studies classes. It’s the result of a bill approved by legislators three years ago. Read More

In Washington, The Revolving Door Between State Public Service And Lobbying Is Well Greased

By Austin Jenkins September 2, 2020

The Washington state capitol building in Olympia. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Efforts to slow WA’s revolving door from state service to lobbying have been thwarted in recent years. That makes the state an outlier in not requiring a cooling off period. So how much does this happen? Continue Read More

40 Years After Mount St. Helens, Sounds Of Past Government Response Echo Today

By Nicholas Deshais May 18, 2020

Mount St. Helens left an indellible mark on the Northwest landscape -- not just in the ecology and geology, but in how government officials respond and think about disaster preparedness.

In the days leading up to the May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption 40 years ago, Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputies tried to prevent people from getting too close to the growling, shaking mountain. Continue Reading 40 Years After Read More

Coronavirus Prompts New Mandatory Work Measures At Washington State Agencies

By Austin Jenkins March 16, 2020

Visitors to Western State Hospital and other state facililties are being screened for coronavirus before they are allowed to enter. CREDIT: PHIL THOMAS / ASYLUMPROJECTS.ORG - TINYURL.COM/J28OGDB

Even as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee uses his emergency powers to restrict gatherings of more than 50 people and orders the closure of bars, restaurants and other gathering spaces for at least the next two weeks, state agencies are scrambling to implement emergency measures to protect their employees and those they serve from the rapid spread of coronavirus. Read More

Congress Poised To Punt On Government Spending Fight Over Border Wall

By NPR News December 3, 2018

The U.S. flag flies at half-staff in honor of former President George H.W. Bush outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Monday. Top Hill leaders planned on a stopgap funding bill to avoid a partial shutdown at the end of the week. CREDIT: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images

After the death of former President George H.W. Bush top Hill leaders decided to prepare a two-week funding bill to postpone a fight over President Trump's demand for $5 billion for a border wall. Continue Reading Congress Poised To Punt Read More