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 Gov. Jay Inslee and legislators took questions from reporters Thursday during the Associated Press' legislative preview event.
Every January, as lawmakers return to the Washington State Capitol for the new legislative session, the marble halls start to hum. The hum is back, and the new session begins Monday. Lawmakers will convene for a 60-day session to agree to a supplemental budget and new solutions to important issues.
Over the last few weeks, Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed a budget and policies to strengthen the state’s response to the fentanyl crisis, continue expanding behavioral health services, enact new oil industry accountability, and address the state’s homelessness challenge.
During a legislative preview event on Thursday, legislators teed up their predictions and priorities for the session. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for measures to combat illicit fentanyl, including investments in regional investigative task forces to disrupt the distribution of the drug. Lt. Gov. Denny Heck has called for another "Year of Housing," citing the state's need to add one million homes over the next 20 years to meet demand and restrain rents. Democratic leaders hope to link Washington's cap-and-invest market to the market shared now by California and Quebec, a move likely to ensure greater stability of emissions allowance prices.
Washingtonians can track the session and legislation of interest at https://leg.wa.gov/. The House and Senate floor calendars preview each day's activities. And TVW will stream all hearings and floor action.
House Speaker Laurie Jinkins will deliver opening day remarks on Tuesday, and Gov. Jay Inslee will deliver his final “State of the State” address at noon. The speech will stream on TVW.
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A group of Washington children, who deserve to breathe clean air, hold signs promoting “Healthy Communities for All” at a recent press conference.
A new report issued by the state Department of Ecology revealed that Washingtonians in some communities lost years of their lives to pollution.
The life expectancy of residents of 16 Washington communities overburdened with air pollution experience grave health risks such as asthma and reduced lung function. They are twice as likely to die from health conditions linked to pollution, and they live 2.4 years fewer than average.
Predictably, these communities are lower-income. Their residents cannot afford to move to cleaner neighborhoods. Many are communities of color. The communities span across the state including parts of Spokane, Tri-Cities, Yakima, Ellensburg, Everett, Wenatchee, Shoreline, Seattle, Tacoma, and more.
Washington’s Climate Commitment Act is one of Washington’s most important tools for helping cap pollution, enabling low-income families to switch to cleaner sources of energy, and supporting air quality efforts in overburdened communities.
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Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation supporting the Huskies Friday.
The University of Washington Husky football team will compete for the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night against the University of Michigan Wolverines.
A victory Monday night would constitute UW’s third national championship for its football program. The game begins at 4:30 p.m.
On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation to support the team, promising to raise the purple and gold over the Washington State Capitol on Monday as the teams play. Fans will begin to gather on the Washington State Capitol steps at 8:30 a.m. before the flag is raised at 9:00 a.m.
Washington has the highest state minimum wage
Washington’s new minimum wage, effective this week, is $16.28 per hour. That’s the highest rate in the nation, topping California’s $16 and New York and Massachusetts’ $15. Working Washingtonians deserve to make a living for their labor, and the state’s ongoing campaign to support the workforce continues.
Cold snap expected
A balmy winter might be interrupted by some bitter cold next week. Heavy snow may hit the mountains over the weekend. Heavy rains and gusty winds might come with winter storms expected over Western Washington and parts of Oregon. Temperatures in some areas may drop below freezing. Observe these winter driving tips from WSDOT to get to your destination safely – and stay warm!
New regional police training facility opens in Vancouver
Last year, Gov. Jay Inslee announced an expansion of law enforcement training to new regional campuses throughout the state. The Basic Law Enforcement Academy must be completed by all aspiring police officers. Formerly, every cadet from every corner of the state had to attend the entirety of the program in Burien. Now, that training is a little closer to home. Last May, a regional campus opened in Pasco and Friday, another opened in Vancouver. More accessible training will help local departments recruit more cadets, and those cadets can be closer to home and their families as they are trained to protect and serve their community and state.
Gov. Jay Inslee helped open a new police training campus in Vancouver on Friday.
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