View More
News
In the News: 3 break-ins in 3 days: Cannabis shop owners, lawmakers frustrated by lack of legislation
Three pot shops were broken into three days in a row this week across Seattle. The repeated crime highlights efforts to address the issue which failed to result in any legislation this past session. Early Tuesday morning, a car smashed into the front of Cannazone in Seattle’s Sodo neighborhood, where the owner said five suspects stole upwards...
Read More
Washington State Legislature Takes Aim at Local School Control
By Eileen Griffin, contributing editor at Heartland Daily News |Education Reform New | Feb. 22, 2024 The Washington State Legislature is advancing two bills that would impose curricula mandates on public schools. The legislation would allow the state Superintendent of Public Instruction to mandate what materials schools are allowed to use, regardless of local decisions, The...
Read More
Controversial curriculum choices bill moves forward in WA Senate
By Carleen Johnson | The Center Square | Feb. 22, 2024 (The Center Square) – A bill in Olympia is moving ahead that would give the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction ultimate decision-making authority when it comes to controversial teachings on race, gender and sex education. On Feb. 10, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2331 was passed by the...
Read More
[un]Divided with Brandi Kruse: Dems block amendment to keep sexually explicit content out of schools
Democrats in Washington state just blocked an amendment that would have made sure pornographic material is not included as part of a proposed state law mandating “inclusive” learning in public schools.
Read More
E-News: Victory! Property tax hike dead for 2024
Week 5 of the 2024 session was spent on the Senate floor voting on bills previously approved by their assigned committees, in anticipation of this week’s deadline for us to consider “House of origin” bills; in other words, Tuesday was the cut-off deadline for the Senate to vote on Senate bills and for the House...
Read More
Sen. Jim McCune on Senate Democrats killing his bill that would have taught the Pledge of Allegiance
Sen. McCune’s legislation (SB 6205) came for Eatonville Middle School students.
Read More
Columbian Editorial: Understanding the Pledge will benefit democracy
Republished in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Contrary to commonly held belief, public classrooms throughout Washington are expected to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day. The Revised Code of Washington (28A.230.140) calls for “appropriate flag exercises to be held in each classroom at the beginning of the school day … at which exercises those pupils...
Read More
Senators denounce bill to raise property taxes – vote expected Thursday
OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate is poised to approve a bill Thursday that would allow the annual growth in property taxes to triple, flouting the will of Washington voters who approved a cap on property taxes in 2001. Republican senators say they plan to raise stiff opposition when the bill comes to the floor –...
Read More
WA legislators contemplate tripling property tax cap rate, igniting voter concerns
Source ONE News staff | Feb 7, 2024 A contentious bill that could see property taxes in Washington state rise significantly is set to go before the Senate this Thursday, sparking concern and opposition across the political spectrum. Senate Bill 5770, if passed, would mark a significant shift in the state’s approach to property tax increases,...
Read More
Subscribe
Those who receive my regular Smarter Government Report e-newsletters have access to inside information straight from the state capitol, often before members of the media have a chance to report it. Sign up today, and you can take the next step toward participating directly in your state government.
I'm Here to Serve You
A representative government only works when those represented take and active part in the process. I'm here to serve you, and your direct input helps me do my job better. Please don't hesitate to contact me via e-mail, phone or by mail, or make an appointment to see me in person. I look forward to hearing from you!