State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

State Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, answers a question during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

‘Disqualified’: GOP lawmaker slams AG Brown after income tax document released

The lead budget writer for Washington House Republicans says documents obtained by The Center Square, revealing how supporters of the income tax worked with the office of Attorney General Nick Brown … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/23/26

Rob McKenna criticizes attorney general office’s role crafting millionaire’s tax

Former Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna is criticizing the attorney general’s office’s involvement in crafting a millionaire’s tax specifically intended to not only overturn nearly … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/23/26

Washington state GOP leader calls AG’s income tax emails 'certainly improper'

Washington Senate Minority Leader John Braun says documents obtained by The Center Square that reveal months of communication between the office of Attorney General Nick Brown and Sen. Jamie … more

By Carleen Johnson | The Center Square | 4/23/26

Millions from taxpayer funded CCA diverted to special interest salaries

Washington Policy Center published a report on this Earth Day showing that the vast majority of projects funded with Washington’s Climate Commitment Act money in 2025, did nothing to reduce … more

By Carleen Johnson | The Center Square | 4/23/26

A sign protesting a proposed data center development in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

New Seattle data centers could spike electric rates

Four companies are considering building major data centers in Seattle, sparking concerns about rate increases for all customers of electric utility company Seattle City Light. Seattle Mayor … more

By Randy Diamond | The Center Square | 4/23/26

A Sound Transit Link light rail train is stopped at a station as riders use the stairs and escalator to exit.

New light rail contract will cost millions even though entire transit line may not be built

Sound Transit board members are expected to approve a contract of up to $19.5 million Thursday for continuing engineering studies on the proposed Ballard light rail line, even though key portions of … more

By Randy Diamond | The Center Square | 4/23/26

A Flock Safety license plate-reading camera is seen in Denver on Aug. 5, 2025. The technology is at the center of a new law going into effect in Oregon regulating law enforcement agencies.

A new Oregon law regulates police use of license plate readers. Here’s how it works

Oregonians will soon be able to sue private companies that sell or otherwise improperly use data captured by license plate-reading cameras under a new state law. Senate Bill 1516, signed … more

By Shaanth Nanguneri / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 4/23/26

Forest Service won’t issue commercial huckleberry permits for Gifford Pinchot in 2026

The U.S. Forest Service’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest announced on Tuesday that commercial huckleberry permits will not be issued in 2026. According to a news release from the Forest … more

4/22/26

Attorney General Nick Brown greets legislators in the House chambers at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Millionaire tax critic says AG, Dems played politics instead of protecting residents

Emails obtained by The Center Square between the Washington Attorney General and Democratic leaders show Nick Brown's staff was playing politics instead of protecting the Constitution and residents … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/22/26

Washington state close to meeting wolf delisting criteria with no clear path ahead

Washington is inching closer to delisting gray wolves as an endangered species. Once the wolves establish a presence in the Southern Cascades, they’ll meet all of Washington state’s criteria … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 4/22/26

Families of children with developmental disabilities testified in front of a Washington House committee last year. (Photo courtesy of Katie Scheid)

Why families caring for children with disabilities are suing Washington state

When Jamie and Chris Thompson got married, they created a big, blended family. Chris had three children from a previous marriage. Jamie had a son. Together, they had two more kids. The … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/22/26

Natural gas bills going up and Washington’s CCA is to blame

Thousands of Cascade Natural Gas customers can expect their power bills to go up again soon, which the utility attributes to the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) and Washington’s Clean Energy … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/21/26

DOJ investigating University of Washington over antisemitism concerns

The Trump administration is investigating the University of Washington over concerns about its handling of antisemitism in light of an off-campus event planned by a protest group. … more

ByJake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/21/26

A view of the south side of the General Administration Building on April 17, 2026. The state office building was completed in 1956 and is being torn down during 2026. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Demolition of Washington Capitol office building gets underway

A long-vacant office building on the Washington state Capitol campus will soon be no more. The state is demolishing the General Administration Building on the northwest side of the … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/21/26

Cory Maxwell of Kitsap County (left) called on some members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to step down in public comments on April 17, 2026. Rachel Bjork and Francisco Santiago-Avila look on. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/ Washington State Standard)

Washington Fish and Wildlife panel confronts high tensions and harsh testimony

Surly public comments are a staple of Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings, revealing the deeply personal stakes of those fighting over how far the state should go in protecting various … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/21/26

Eight Washington firefighters ask SCOTUS to intervene in religious accommodation lawsuit

Eight Snohomish firefighters are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify what an employer is required to prove under federal law before denying a religious accommodation for vaccines. … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 4/20/26

The Washington state Capitol building stands against clear skies in Olympia.

Washington income tax supporters say revenues will increase; opponents say look at Idaho

If you lower a state income tax rate, the state brings in far more income tax revenue. At least that’s the finding of a new report from Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC) on Idaho’s income … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/20/26

State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, smiles at House Speaker Laurie Jinkins during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Records reveal Washington millionaire’s tax is meant to legalize progressive income tax

The Washington attorney general and Democratic leaders plotted how to overturn a nearly century-old decision that banned income taxes in the state, writing they want to force the state Supreme Court … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/20/26

The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2024.

Why a Washington trucking business owner is suing to block new income tax

When you own a small business in Washington’s ever-changing climate of tax and regulation policy changes, operators get used to being creative to remain afloat. But for some business owners, the … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/20/26

State Rep. Larry Springer on the House floor on Jan. 28, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services)

After 21 years in Washington Legislature, a moderate Democrat calls it quits

Democratic state Rep. Larry Springer of Kirkland, who provided a moderating voice in his caucus for two decades, announced Sunday he will not seek re-election. Springer, 79, was elected in 2004 … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/20/26