Senate Bill 5973, which would have added new restrictions on paying signature gatherers and required 1,000 signatures at filing, failed to advance in the Washington Legislature after drawing opposition from Let’s Go Washington and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/foes-called-it-the-initiative-killer-now-its-dead-in-the-wa-legislature/ #WashingtonState #Politics #InitiativeProcess #LetsGoWashington #StateLegislature #WAStateStandard

In this letter to the editor, Washougal resident Mike Johnson argues that a proposed Clark County Council resolution condemns federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and urges support for federal immigration laws. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-intent-of-the-proposed-county-council-resolution-appears-to-be-a-general-condemnation-of-our-federal-immigration-enforcement-officers/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #Washougal #ICE #ImmigrationPolicy #LetterToTheEditor

The Washington State House approved House Bill 2034 to terminate LEOFF 1, create a new plan and transfer $4.5 billion, prompting sharp criticism from House Republicans and warnings from the LEOFF 1 Coalition about future pension impacts. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-house-bill-raids-billions-from-pension-plan-while-lawmakers-also-pass-record-tax-hikes/ #WashingtonState #Politics #LEOFF1 #HouseBill2034 #StatePensions #TheCenterSquare

Prairie High School in Brush Prairie will present Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, the Tony Award-winning stage adaptation, with performances from Feb. 27 through March 7 and tickets currently on sale. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/entertainment/prairie-high-school-presents-roald-dahls-matilda-the-musical/ #BrushPrairie #PrairieHighSchool #MatildaTheMusical #BattleGroundSchoolDistrict #HighSchoolTheater #YouthArts

Clark County’s Joint Lobby at the Public Service Center in Vancouver will close March 9 through June 2026 for safety and customer service upgrades, with property taxes still due April 30 and alternative payment options available. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-joint-lobby-closing-march-9-to-june-for-remodeling-project/ #ClarkCounty #VancouverWA #PropertyTaxes #PublicServiceCenter #TreasurersOffice #LocalGovernment

Nancy Churchill outlines her concerns about a Department of Ecology lawsuit in Whatcom County Superior Court and House Bill 2544, arguing that private well owners in Washington state face reductions in water rights and expanded state control. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ecologys-war-on-private-wells/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #WaterRights #PrivateWells #DepartmentOfEcology #POWWRA #HouseBill2544

After hours of heated debate, the Washington Senate passed Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax on personal income over $1 million, with amendments on diapers, the marriage penalty, and constitutional changes rejected before a 27-22 final vote. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/video-income-tax-bill-passes-wa-senate-after-hours-of-heated-debate/ #WashingtonState #SB6346 #MillionairesTax #WALegislature #JohnBraun #IncomeTax #StatePolitics

This letter to the editor from Rob Anderson and a concerned Ridgefield parent details alleged redaction failures by Ridgefield School District in public records releases connected to a Ridgefield High School cheer coach investigation, raising concerns about student privacy and accountability. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-after-ignoring-the-students-ridgefield-school-district-outed-them/ #Opinion #Ridgefield #RidgefieldSchoolDistrict #StudentPrivacy #PublicRecords #ClarkCounty

Washington state lawmakers received updated revenue projections showing an $827 million increase in the current two-year budget, as budget writers work to finalize a supplemental plan amid debate over income taxes, estate taxes, and other fiscal changes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/absolutely-good-news-wa-financial-outlook-brightens-as-budget-talks-heat-up/ #WashingtonState #BudgetForecast #BobFerguson #JuneRobinson #IncomeTax #EstateTax #SupplementalBudget

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center writes that recent discussion around Senate Bill 6347 and other tax proposals signals concern over high-net-worth individuals and businesses leaving Washington state amid cumulative tax burdens including estate, capital gains, and payroll taxes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-democrats-signal-retreat-on-the-death-tax-as-exodus-fears-mount/ #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter #DeathTax #MillionairesTax #EstateTax #SmallBusiness #WashingtonState