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Government

Seven takeaways from Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address

Ferguson spoke of building more housing, hiring more police, protecting reproductive health care

Jan. 15, 2025 6:35 p.m.

Washington lawmakers revive plan for state cap on rent increases

Supporters say 'rent stabilization' bill has better odds of approval this year

Jan. 11, 2025 10:00 p.m.

The Standard’s guide to the 2025 legislative session

State lawmakers begin 105 days of lawmaking in Olympia Jan. 13

Jan. 6, 2025 9:00 p.m.

The new Washington state laws taking effect in January 2025

These are among the changes in Washington state law set to take effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Jan. 1, 2025 7:00 a.m.

Ferguson and other WA Democrats prepare for new era of showdowns with Trump

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown are readying their legal teams

Nov. 8, 2024 12:08 p.m.

Initiative backers hit with $20K fine by WA campaign finance watchdog

Public Disclosure Commission ruled Let’s Go Washington failed to report payments to vendors

Oct. 10, 2024 10:58 a.m.

Minimum wage is going up in Washington. Here’s how much

The change takes effect on Jan.1, 2025. The state recalibrates the hourly wage each year

Sept. 30, 2024 5:25 p.m.

Climate investments in Whatcom, Skagit threatened by statewide repeal initiative

Some funding for transit, tribes, conservation would end if I-2117 passes

Aug. 11, 2024 10:00 p.m.

More than $55M paid to local governments from WA attorney general’s opioid cases

Whatcom County, Bellingham will use funds to combat fentanyl and opioid crisis

March 20, 2024 5:30 p.m.

Gender wage gap in Washington is among widest in nation, analysis shows

Median pay for women in 2022 was $18,400 less than what men earned

March 18, 2024 10:00 p.m.

Three citizen initiatives approved by Washington Legislature

Three other initiatives are still headed to voters this November.

March 5, 2024 9:48 a.m.

WA lawmakers hear debate on parental rights initiative

Republican-backed initiative would require material to be available for parental review

Feb. 29, 2024 11:32 a.m.