Washington in Focus

(The Center Square) - The Washington State Senate advanced a proposal Wednesday that would prohibit all law enforcement from wearing masks with many immigration agents wearing face coverings they say they need to protect them from harassment and doxxing. Gov. Bob Ferguson announced his support for the idea earlier this month as state Democrats proposed several bills that could impede federal immigration enforcement. Wednesday’s floor vote sends Senate Bill 5855 to the state House.

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(The Center Square) - A whistleblower who exposed alleged self-dealing within taxpayer-funded grant programs says Attorney General Nick Brown's staff still hasn't interviewed her, months after assigning an investigator. The allegations center around non-profits funded by the Washington State Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) and other race-based programs funded by taxpayers at the federal and state level.

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(The Center Square) - A bill that changes the state's initiative process was touted by supporters as stopping aggressive signature gatherers and wealthy special interests on Tuesday, but critics dubbed it "anti-Democratic" and an “initiative killer." The legislation-SB 5973- sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, would require a “demonstration of support before issuance of a ballot measure title and authorize citizen actions for certain signature gatherer compensation violations,” according to the bill summary. The bill would require a minimum of 1000 signatures be submitted as part of the filing of a proposed initiative or referendum. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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(The Center Square) - As the Washington legislative session continues discussions around bills to boost the housing supply, building industry advocates are warning that continued raids on an account meant to fund local infrastructure projects can undermine any new legislation. “Not only is this concerning for anyone looking for a place to call home, but it also means less revenue for state and local governments,” the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties wrote in a statement to The Center Square.

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(The Center Square) - A bill that changes the state's initiative process was touted by supporters as stopping aggressive signature gatherers and wealthy special interests on Tuesday, but critics dubbed it "anti-Democratic" and an “initiative killer." The legislation-SB 5973- sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, would require a “demonstration of support before issuance of a ballot measure title and authorize citizen actions for certain signature gatherer compensation violations,” according to the bill summary.

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Seattle city leaders continue to condemn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minn., earlier this month, while some of Washington’s conservative leaders warn the rhetoric could contribute to further civil unrest. Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday delivered his State of the State address before a joint session of state lawmakers on Day 2 of the 60-day legislative session that began Monday, spotlighting the state’s resiliency by highlighting the response to recent flooding and throwing his support behind a so-called “millionaire’s tax.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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(The Center Square) – As ongoing controversy persists over alleged fraud with Department of Children, Youth & Families Working Connections Childcare Program, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget could increase the reimbursement rates for licensed home-based child care providers by 30%.

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(The Center Square) – Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday delivered his State of the State address before a joint session of state lawmakers on Day 2 of the 60-day legislative session that began Monday, spotlighting the state’s resiliency by highlighting the response to recent flooding and throwing his support behind a so-called “millionaire’s tax.”

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(The Center Square) – Seattle city leaders continue to condemn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions following the fatal shooting of  37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis, Minn., earlier this month, while some of Washington’s conservative leaders warn the rhetoric could contribute to further civil unrest.

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Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_67243672-f718-4937-858a-5d5263184a0f.html

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(The Center Square) – The state Department of Ecology has admitted that a recent report on carbon emission reductions through projects financed by the Climate Commitment Act was “significantly inflated” by the Department of Commerce after one environmental analyst previously questioned the effectiveness of several projects. Commerce has now sent back revised figures.

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