Washington in Focus

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Seattle Mayor Pushes Law Changes to Target Unruly Nightclubs Jun 10, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s new proposal would amend the city’s chronic nuisance properties ordinance as part of a continued effort to curb gun violence around nightclubs. Currently Seattle’s chronic nuisance properties ordinance includes activities such as gun violence, assault, drug trafficking and prostitution. A property is declared a chronic nuisance if three or more nuisance activities are documented in a 60-day period or seven or more occur in any 12-month period.

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Weekend Edition | Spokane County Caught in Confusion Over DHS Sanctuary Designation Jun 07, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Spokane County Commissioner Al French said on Tuesday that his peers should consider clarifying their stance on federal immigration enforcement due to recent events. Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” online, including 35 states and the District of Columbia. Washington was one, with 36 of its 39 counties listed, with the addition of the cities of Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma and Yakima. Notably, Spokane County was included, but not the city of Spokane, which passed a resolution on Feb. 10, specifically reaffirming what many call Washington’s sanctuary state law. The county adheres to the Keep Washington Working Act, or KWWA, but hasn’t explicitly supported it like the city. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Emails Show WA AGO, Perkins Coie Colluded on Federal Lawsuit Against President Trump Jun 05, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Seattle-based private law firm Perkins Coie and Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown collaborated on an amicus brief – or “friend of the court” – filed on behalf of the firm’s lawsuit in federal court against the Trump administration, emails obtained by The Center Square reveal. Those emails also reveal the private law firm received advice from the Attorney General's Office on where and when to file the lawsuit. A former Washington GOP attorney general candidate said the revelations raise ethics concerns.

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Spokane County Caught in Confusion Over DHS Sanctuary Designation Jun 04, 2025

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Board Stiff: Sound Transit Lacks Transit Expertise as Project Delays Drag On Jun 03, 2025

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(The Center Square) – The Sound Transit Board of Directors has been criticized for a lack of transportation expertise among its members, as the agency continues to see delays to light rail expansion projects and cost overruns to major expansion projects despite massive funding. The Center Square previously reported that more than $21.8 billion in tax revenue was generated by Sound Transit between 1996 and 2023, with $10.3 billion raised between 2019 an 2023 alone. Despite this, the delays to the agency’s taxpayer-backed projects have continued, including the last two stations on the 2 line connecting across Lake Washington, which had their target opening of December 2025 moved to early 2026.

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Weekend Edition | Christian Gathering Outside Seattle City Hall Brings Trans Rights Protesters May 31, 2025

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(The Center Square) – More than 500 Christians gathered outside Seattle City Hall Tuesday evening to protest what they say are the anti-faith policies of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle City Council, just days after 23 people were arrested when counter-protesters interrupted a rally Saturday focused on protecting children from transgender ideologies. All of the arrests on Saturday were among counter protesters who also injured Seattle Police. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trucking Industry Accused of ‘Undermining’ Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate May 29, 2025

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(The Center Square) – As Congress contemplates repealing California’s ability to impose stricter emission standards than the federal Clean Air Act, which is currently also implemented in Washington state, the trucking industry continues to receive criticism for not cooperating with its implementation. Meanwhile the trucking industry continues to reiterate its stance that the regulations are not based in the realities of existing technology.

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Christian Gathering Outside Seattle City Hall Brings Trans Rights Protesters May 28, 2025

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Spokane Valley Needs More Cops — but Its Immigration Policy Could Get In the Way May 27, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Around 20 officers short, Spokane Valley needs more funding to expand its police force, but the city might have shot itself in the foot with its immigration policy. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 2015 on Monday, delivering on a day-one promise to put $100 million behind police recruiting during his first year in office. The law creates a .01% local sales tax that voters can approve in addition to two other existing public safety taxes.

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Weekend Edition | Gov. Ferguson Signs Washington’s $78B Operating Budget Into Law May 24, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Gov. Bob Ferguson repeatedly said he would look for budget savings and efficiencies before agreeing to raise taxes on Washingtonians, but on Tuesday – the deadline for doing so – he signed Washington state’s nearly $78 billion, two-year operating budget into law that raises taxes by more than $9 billion over the next four years. The operating budget includes several tax increases, including a new business and occupation gross tax on storage units. The budget also includes increases to the state's two primary business and occupation tax rates on gross proceeds, an increase in the tax rate for service businesses with annual taxable revenue exceeding $5 million, and a broadened capital gains tax. There’s also a tax on the sale of electric vehicle credits, dubbed the “Tesla tax.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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