Campaign season is starting to heat up. There are five state Supreme Court seats on the ballot, and we're diving into position 3, which is pitting two progressives against each other. Also, another challenger from the left enters the race for the 46th LD seat, and Trump gives an endorsement in WA-3.
We look at a member of the Second Chance Club, the folks who were jailed for life as juveniles but later freed after a Supreme Court ruling. Also, the fine print on the non-competes ban and movement on a department of housing. #washingtonstate
The fight over the income tax officially begins with a legal challenge. Also, it's the AGs office against the gas company as Attorney General Brown contests a proposed gas rate increase in Southwest WA. We dive in washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/the-legal-... #washington #journalism
The business-friendly democratic caucus is dwindling as the Trump era has emboldened progressives to push out the more centrist members of its party. We dive into the races to watch.
Also, drivers pleading guilty to DUIs are holding off on court-ordered breathalyzers according to a new audit.
A surprising battle is going on in Lewis County over a state owned game farm that neighbors say is adding high levels of nitrogen to local water supplies. Also, the transporation budget runs up new debts and an update on the battle over the newly signed income tax. #independentjournalism
Gov. Ferguson signed the millionaires tax into law, which means the real battle of the bill is just beginning. There are three fronts facing this bill: the courts, a potential ballot measure, and an election that will change the makeup of the Supreme Court. Also, AG Nick Brown is suing Kalshi. #wa
Paid Family & Medical Leave might be the most #waleg popular program, but it's dipping into the red, unless something changes the program will become insolvent in 2030. Why should you care? We dive in. Also, non-competes are out and tax relief for the heirs of people who die rich are in.
Last week was Sunshine Week of #waleg, which unfortunately looks a lot darker as transparency in the inner workings of our Legislature becomes increasingly opaque. Also, e-bikes may finally see some form of *light* regulation. And some action on housing bills.
ICYMI: On Friday we went over the big losers of #waleg 2026. Most notable include a balanced ballot, the ultra wealthy, Pharma and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/and-now-fo...
Farmworker union rights were a major topic of discussion this #waleg session, yet a bill to support collective bargaining ultimately died. We dive in. Also, the price of crossing the Columbia continues to escalate.
Not everyone can say they won this #waleg session, but we think there are some notable victories to dive into. Take a look and let us know what you think.
And they're out. #waleg is over, which means it's time to evaluate exactly what went down in this condensed session. First off, child care subsidies, cities and counties, and rural school districts take some hits that could spell trouble. Big tech loses in the final days.
Thanks for reading!
Another good edition of @washingtonobserver.bsky.social, a newsletter covering politics, power and policy in Olympia. Last minute drama as the legislature closes, rough sledding for rural schools, counties, child care providers, plus sparkles. Sign up today! washingtonobserver.substack.com
The proposed income tax heads back to the Senate after a marathon vote in the House lasting more than 24 hours, where members of both parties took on-the-record votes on a host of hot-button issues. We dive into the vote. Also, how the tax may impact five Supreme Court races. #waleg
It's the last week of #waleg, and we have a tax-heavy edition for you. We dive into Rep. April Berg's proposed changes to the "millionaires tax," look at a smaller cigarette tax, and a rollback on data center tax-breaks that look likely to happen. We're tracking the policy so you don't have to.
We break down the math on the upcoming vote on an income tax for WA's wealthy, including who to watch as Gov. Ferguson jumps off the sidelines to ensure final passage #waleg. washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/rounding-u...
Voting rights activists in WA State are poised for two major victories this #waleg. We dive into the two bills that will strengthen WA's own Voting Rights Act. Housing bills are also on the move, including restrictions on Wall Street's ability to buy up homes.
WA state has a large real estate portfolio, but for the purpose of this article we're focused on one building in particular that has an unusual lease, costing the government millions of dollars. Also, an end to the EV fight is in sight. #waleg
The top contender for lobbyist of the year for this #waleg has to be WA Association for Justice and their work warding off tort reform. Also the dumbest controversy of the year, new support for student isolation reform and Affordable Housing gets some chump change.
With three weeks to go in this #waleg session, budget-writing is in full swing. We dive into the items that caught our attention.
The ink hasn't dried on the Millionaires Tax, and lawmakers already have plans to spend much of it. We take a look at where the money is set to go.
And finally, cut off casualties. We look at the bills that died. #waleg
Opposition to a landmark farm worker collective bargaining bill is coming from a not-so-surprising source: farmers. Are the concerns around increased costs valid? We dive in. Also, we look into the pros and cons of a bill to shift local elections to even-numbered years. #waleg
Lurking deep in #waleg is SB 6173, aka the Walmart Tax. So far, the bill has received one hearing, but it's causing a ruckus, which means we can't sit around and wait for it to make a move. We dive in. Also, a bill aimed at limiting independent contractors.
The battle between Big Pharma and safety net hospitals continues. Dems are considering a bill that would widen the number of hospitals who can claim access. It's a wonky issue, so we're here to help you through it. Also, the fiscal cost of the income tax bill. #waleg
Three bills were introduced into #WAleg to add some guardrails to a newish state law requiring pay transparency on job ads. However, thanks to a new campaign, all bills died this session. We follow the money. Also, a bill to address medical tourism in the eastern part of our state dies.
It's official, the Millionaires Tax is scheduled for a hearing, but will it really solve the state's budget problems? We dive in. Also, WA makes it easy to sue the government, but the costs are rising. The solution? #WAleg is now considering a new bill to slow the bleeding.
Wednesday is the first big deadline for #waleg where most bills will face their untimely end. We dive into some bills that likely won't make it past the cutoff: a House bill to create a 32-hour work week and a bill related to rent-to-own programs. Also, some historical minutiae for #seahawks fans.
November might be nine months away, but multiple judge hopefuls are already eyeing a seat on the Supreme Court. Also, an interesting bipartisan divide over lowering the blood-alcohol limit for a DUI is taking shape. We dive in washingtonobserver.substack.com/p/electing-t... #waleg
There's nothing like a good old-fashioned fact check. We take a look at last week's farmworker union debate and dive into the nitty-gritty. Also, looks like #waleg may support limits on license plate readers, and legislators are still working to shield themselves from public records enthusiasts.