Washington in Focus

(The Center Square) - Providing what he called a “reality check” on Monday, Jeff McMorris, senior director of Spokane County’s Finance and Administration Division, warned of a $20 million deficit heading into 2026. McMorris, the brother of former U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, told the Board of County Commissioners that this is a multiyear issue. He took over from Randy Bischoff, who held the positions until recently and helped balance a similar shortfall last summer into the fall. 

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(The Center Square) – Political action committee Let’s Go Washington introduced a second initiative on Monday to protect parents’ rights by repealing House Bill 1296. Earlier this month, the organization introduced an initiative to repeal Senate Bill 5181. HB 1296 and SB 5181 are both aimed at modifying LGW’s “parents’ bill of rights” Initiative 2081 passed by the Legislature last year. 

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(The Center Square) – The King County Sheriff's Office is reducing staff to minimal levels at two of its precincts due to budget constraints. Staffing at the Sheriff’s Office’s north and southeast precincts are being reduced, made effective on Monday, when the department announced the change in staffing. Impacted communities include parts of unincorporated King County, such as Redmond Ridge, Fairwood and Fall City. 

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(The Center Square) - Providing what he called a “reality check” on Monday, Jeff McMorris, senior director of Spokane County’s Finance and Administration Division, warned of a $20 million deficit heading into 2026. McMorris, the brother of former U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, told the Board of County Commissioners that this is a multiyear issue. He took over from Randy Bischoff, who held the positions until recently and helped balance a similar shortfall last summer into the fall. 

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Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_036c1da6-0378-11f0-8e1f-9f16060ed445.html

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(The Center Square) – After a vigorous hours-long debate that began the night before, Washington State Democrats in the House of Representatives on Saturday morning voted to pass legislation that would require would-be gun owners to obtain a permit before purchase. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1163 passed along a 58-38 party-line vote – that is, with no Republican support. The bill would also have prospective gun owners complete a state-recognized firearm safety training course within the past five years to qualify for a permit. In addition, the bill requires enhanced background checks conducted via the Washington State Patrol’s firearms background check program, including state and federal databases Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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(The Center Square) – The Lynnwood City Council has lost an appointed member within the same week of her appointment after her sexually explicit social media account was revealed. Jessica Ann Roberts – a transgender woman – was appointed to fill the Lynnwood City Council District 5 seat on Monday. The next day, the Lynwood Times reported on Roberts having an OnlyFans account, where she shared explicit content with 135 paid subscribers. 

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(The Center Square) – Washington drivers may be funding transit when they fill up their vehicles at the gas pump due not only to how carbon auctions under the Climate Commitment Act could be indirectly raising gas prices, but how CCA money has been appropriated by the state Legislature. As of the most recent report by the Department of Ecology, in the fiscal year 2024 almost half of all CCA revenue spent originated from an account designated specifically for transit related projects. 

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(The Center Square) – House Democrats advanced a bill Saturday attempting to create a pathway to rehabilitation by allowing judges to dismiss charges upon “substantial compliance” with court-ordered conditions. Intended for low-level offenses, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1113 expands judicial authority over diversion opportunities. Typically, those fall under prosecutorial discretion, but if approved by the state Senate, ESHB 1113 would hand power over to the judge and defense attorneys. 

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(The Center Square) – After a vigorous hours-long debate that began the night before, Washington State Democrats in the House of Representatives on Saturday morning voted to pass legislation that would require would-be gun owners to obtain a permit before purchase. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1163 passed along a 58-38 party-line vote – that is, with no Republican support.

 Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx 

Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_4df4c5bc-fde7-11ef-8143-175771d022e0.html

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(The Center Square) – Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and Gov. Bob Ferguson are named in a Title IX complaint resolution filed Friday by Washington Parents Network. WPN is a volunteer association of more than 2,600 parents whose goal is to protect the rights of parents and children. The complaint was filed with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. WPN Executive Director David Spring told The Center Square the organization has been preparing the complaint for more than a year, but hoped it wouldn’t come to the point that it had to be filed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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