State & Regional News | Thurston Chronicle

Brian Heywood, founder of Let's Go Washington, during the “Let’s Go Washington” initiatives rally at the Capitol in Olympia on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

Washington secretary of state will not process referendum to repeal income tax law

A day after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Washington’s new income tax into law, opponents who have filed a referendum to repeal it have just learned the Secretary of State will not allow them to … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/1/26

Crews prepare the forms for new sidewalks along State Route 99 in Fife. Once the forms are complete, crews will pour concrete to complete the sidewalks. This work is part of the State Route 167 Completion Project. (Photo courtesy of WSDOT)

Highway preservation at center of new Washington transportation budget

Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed a spending plan for the state transportation system that he said bolsters preservation of highways and will “deliver projects that Washingtonians rely on to get … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/31/26

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Audit questions $37 million in child care payments in Washington state

Washington made an estimated $37 million in questionable child care payments over the course of a year using federal dollars, according to the state auditor’s office. A report the auditor … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/31/26

Low Washington farm profits driven even lower by Strait of Hormuz blockade

CENTRAL WASHINGTON — Farmers around the world are feeling squeezed by the Iran war. Fuel prices have shot up and fertilizer supplies are waning due to Tehran's near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz … more

Kevin Teeter / KHQ-TV / Murrow News | 3/31/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson signs a bill on March 30, 2026, that will notify immigrant workers when a federal agency announces an upcoming inspection of the business’ I-9 forms on file. Employers use the I-9 and related documents to verify employees’ identity and work authorization. Courtesy: TVW

Immigrants in Washington state to be notified of federal workplace inspections under new law

OLYMPIA — A new state law will help immigrant workers know when the records proving they can legally work in the U.S. are about to come under federal review. The Immigrant Worker Protection … more

Erick Bengel / Murrow News | 3/31/26

Washington adds safeguards for Flock cameras; new law’s once-chief supporter now has some misgivings about it

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed into law new guardrails for the use of automated license plate readers , amid concerns federal immigration authorities are tapping them to aid in their … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/30/26

Supporters of Washington’s new income tax on millionaires celebrate as Gov. Bob Ferguson prepares to sign it on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Olympia. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

Income tax signed in Washington with a legal challenge close behind

Washington Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed historic legislation creating an income tax, saying it is a critical step toward making the state’s system of taxation less regressive. … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/30/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson answers questions from the press during a legislative session preview in a Senate Hearing room in Olympia on Friday, Jan. 9.

Gov. Bob Ferguson set to sign income tax; opposing litigants ready

On the same day Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is signing the income tax bill into law, opponents have announced they are filing a legal challenge. Former Attorney General Rob McKenna is leading … more

By Carleen Johnson | The Center Square | 3/30/26

Pharmaceutical giants sue Washington state over new drug pricing law

Two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies sued Washington state on Wednesday, alleging a new law to tamp down prescription drug prices for hospitals won’t result in discounts for … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/30/26

Protesters lined the street near the Washington state capitol campus waving political signs on March 28, 2026. (Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)

Third round of ‘No Kings’ protest draws thousands to Washington’s state capitol

Thousands of people gathered at the Washington state capitol on Saturday for the “No Kings” protest, a nationwide demonstration against President Donald Trump. Saturday marked the third wave … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 3/30/26

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson speaks during her first address as mayor, surrounded by supporters holding signs.

Seattle mayor wants new taxes for big business and the wealthy

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is considering new taxes on large businesses and wealthy individuals. Wilson told a community forum on Friday night that the taxes could help fill a gap in the … more

By Randy Diamond / The Center Square | 3/28/26

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson stands alongside lawmakers and housing advocates after signing House Bill 2266 into law on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Everett. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

New Washington state law drops barriers for homeless shelters, permanent supportive housing

EVERETT — A new Washington state law will require local governments to allow housing for people experiencing homelessness in residential areas. Communities across the state have pushed … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/28/26

The Washington state Capitol on Nov. 11, 2024. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

More Democratic legislative staff seek to unionize in Washington

Another group of Democratic staff in the Washington Legislature wants to unionize. Roughly 20 employees who handle policy and communication duties for the Senate Democratic Caucus have filed for … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/28/26

Demonstrators with the Service Employees International Union hold signs in support of Senate Bill 6346, dubbed the “Millionaires Tax” bill, during a rally at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb.10.

As Washington state gets an income tax, the fight to overturn it begins

Come Monday, Washington is expected to have a state income tax on the books for the first time in nearly a century. Then what? A legal challenge certainly, maybe two. A ballot battle … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/28/26

Washington state Department of Transportation trail cameras captured these photos of deer, bears and a newt approaching Interstate 5 between Rochester and Tumwater between 2022 and 2024.

Conservation Northwest says Habitat for wildlife passage between Olympics and Cascades secured

Conservation Northwest is celebrating a major milestone on its way to coordinating the creation of a wildlife corridor between the Cascade Mountain range and the Olympic Peninsula. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/27/26

Steam rises from TransAlta USA at sunset in Centralia on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2023. The coal-fired burners have since been turned off as the Canadian-based company converts one unit to process natural gas.

New report charts path to meeting Washington’s growing energy needs

The Association of Washington Business (AWB) this week released its Energy Solutions Summit Report, a roadmap to addressing Washington’s urgent energy needs while supporting future economic growth. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/27/26

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs answers questions during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Secretary of State: Bill strengthening protections on Washington’s voter database takes effect

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs applauded the signing of Senate Bill 5892 on Wednesday, March 25, which he said protects voters’ private information. Any state or local election … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/27/26

Seattle mayor says ICE agents won't likely conduct raids at World Cup

Seattle Mayor Kate Wilson told representatives of the city’s tourism community Thursday that federal Department of Homeland Security agents will be at The World Cup, but she doesn't believe there … more

By Randy Diamond / The Center Square | 3/26/26

Washington diesel hits record $6.53, crushing truckers and school budgets

The price of diesel fuel reached an all-time high in Washington on Wednesday at just under $6.53 a gallon, and remained at that price on Thursday. That means a driver filling a 200-gallon … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/26/26

A child care provider and toddler look out the window at Rise for Baby and Family in Keene, N.H. A new analysis of federal data found the gender pay gap between women and men widened last year. (Photo by Maya Mitchell/New Hampshire Bulletin)

Washington’s gender wage gap is widening, study finds

The wage gap between men and women in Washington is the second widest in the country. An analysis released this month from the National Partnership for Women and Families found that women in … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 3/26/26