Washington in Focus

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WA Senator Insists Controversial Remarks on Parents’ Rights Taken Out of Context Feb 14, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Washington State Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, is standing by comments he made last week to a Fox News reporter about 13-year-old children making their own health care decisions without parents’ knowledge or consent. Pedersen’s comments went viral, drawing millions of views and reposts on social media. Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump, even got involved in a social media exchange over the quote.

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Two Seattle Schools Levies to Be Voted on Amid Some Unfavorable Survey Results Feb 13, 2025

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(The Center Square) – The fate of two levies from Seattle Public Schools will be determined on Tuesday by Seattle voters, amid recent survey results showing that parents of former students were dissatisfied with the quality of the education their children received. Currently, Seattle Public Schools’ current tax rate is $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This includes the three-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy, the six-year Building Excellence VI Capital Levy, and the continuing Building, Technology and Academics Capital Levy approved in 2022.

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https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_89b7056a-e7ee-11ef-a47a-bf8c23728a96.html

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A Line in the Sand: Spokane Reaffirms Immigration Stance Amid Federal Pressure Feb 13, 2025

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(The Center Square) – With a federal crackdown underway, the Spokane City Council fast-tracked a vote Monday to reaffirm state law restricting how much local law enforcement can participate with immigration authorities. The approval followed a last-minute decision to amend Monday’s agenda just hours before the meeting. Originally set for Feb. 24, the progressive majority moved the vote up amid speculation over local enforcement.

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Washington Bill Would Bolster ‘Shield Law’ for Abortions & Gender Procedures Feb 11, 2025

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(The Center Square) – A bill introduced in the Washington State Legislature this session would bolster an existing law that seeks to shield individuals receiving or providing “protected health care services,” such as abortion or gender reassignment procedures on minors. In 2023, the state Legislature enacted what is known as the Shield Law, which restricts the ability of courts and law enforcement to either issue or enforce any subpoenas, warrants, or extradition for civil or criminal liability related to “protected health services” as defined by state law.

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Weekend Edition | Senate Dems Approve Bill to Change Provisions of ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ Initiative Feb 08, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Less than a year after Washington state lawmakers approved a parental rights initiative for those with children enrolled in public schools, majority party Democrats on Wednesday passed a bill out of the Senate that would rewrite provisions of the initiative. Senate Bill 5181 is described as amending the “parents’ bill of rights” initiative to align it with existing law. It would modify the initiative’s notification timeline for criminal acts involving students to reconcile it with Washington’s 48-hour rule, as opposed to immediately. Initiative 2081, adopted by lawmakers in 2024, gave parents and legal guardians of public-school children the right to access information about their child's academic, medical, safety, and law enforcement matters. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Senate Dems approve bill to change provisions of 'parents' bill of rights' initiative Feb 06, 2025

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Downtown Crackdown: Spokane Limits Sale of Booze, Pipes Without Free Naloxone Feb 05, 2025

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(The Center Square) – With few solutions left, Spokane has banned single-serve alcohol sales downtown, as well as drug paraphernalia, unless the seller also provides free naloxone. The Spokane City Council gave its final approval over two related ordinances Monday night. The first established an Alcohol Impact Area, or AIA, within the Spokane Police Department's downtown precinct, while the second created a Community Health Impact Area, also known as CHIA.

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Washington State Public Health Bill Receives Lopsided Critical Testimony Feb 04, 2025

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(The Center Square) – A Washington bill that would add new language to existing state law about “appropriate measures” regarding vaccines to control the spread of communicable diseases received lopsided testimony in opposition during its public hearing before the House Health Care & Wellness Committee. Among the criticism cited by opponents was what they considered to be vague bill language, potential for abuse of power of power, and how it might strip local health jurisdictions of their ability to make decisions most appropriate for their regions.

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Seattle Forms Committee in Response to Threats of Federal Funding Halts Feb 03, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Seattle officials are adapting to federal changes with the formation of a new committee as federal departments threaten to cut funding to the city. So far in 2025, President Donald Trump has signed 45 executive orders as of Jan. 29. These orders address gender-affirming care, leaving the World Health Organization, renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali in Alaska, and immigration.

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Weekend Edition | $45 Million EV Rebate Program Exhausted by High-Income Earners Feb 01, 2025

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(The Center Square) – Washington state’s $45 million Electric Vehicle Instant Rebate Program for buying or leasing electric vehicles fell far short of promises to deliver environmental results and help middle-income people buy EVs, concluded a Washington Policy Center policy brief released on Wednesday. According to the Washington State Department of Commerce, the program provided up to $9,000 off a new EV lease for low-income drivers at the point of sale. The state agency claimed this translates into lease payments under $200 a month, well below the average gas-powered automobile payment of more than $700 a month. 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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