Washington in Focus

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Ferguson, Reichert Exchange Jabs During Gubernatorial Debate Sep 13, 2024

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The two candidates to be Washington state's next governor faced off in their first televised debate Tuesday night, trading jabs on a variety of topics, including public safety, the drug crisis, climate change and abortion. State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, and Republican Dave Reichert, a former congressman and the former King County Sheriff wasted no time going at each other from the confines of KING 5 television's studio in Seattle. Both candidates agreed on one thing: that public safety is the top issue this election cycle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seattleites Call on City Council to Reject Permanent Tiered Minimum Wage Bill Sep 06, 2024

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Members and supporters of the organization Workers Strike Back are calling on the Seattle City Council to oppose a proposed bill to extend the city’s $2.72 tip credit. Seattle’s current minimum wage is $19.97 per hour, but businesses that employ fewer than 500 employees can pay $17.25 per hour if they pay $2.72 per hour toward medical benefits, or if the employee earns $2.72 per hour in tips. That tip credit is set to expire at the end of this year if the city does not act to extend it. Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth proposed legislation to amend the city’s minimum wage ordinance to permanently establish the current minimum compensation as the pay standard for small employers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

King County Council Signals Approval of Changes to KCRHA Government Structure Aug 30, 2024

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Members of the King County Council are pleased with proposed changes to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, but note more needs to be done. The King County Council, the City of Seattle and the Sound Cities Association are set to vote on a new five-year interlocal agreement with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, or KCRHA. The proposed agreement would create a single governing board within KCRHA that is responsible for providing fiscal oversight, setting strategic policy direction, monitoring performance, and ensuring the agency is making progress to fulfill its mission. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington Truckers Warn California Emissions Policy Threatens Supply Chain Aug 23, 2024

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The state trucking industry is calling on the Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee to detach Washington state from a California-based electric vehicle program due to a variety of practical and logistical factors that they argue threaten the supply chain system. Under California’s Advanced Clean Trucks program, the trucking industry must progressively transition to zero emissions for medium and heavy-duty trucks. Starting next year, zero emission vehicles must make up 7% of all Class 2b-3 truck and Class 7-8 tractor sales, while Class 4-8 truck sales must be 11% zero emission vehicles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Outrage Continues Over Quiet Attempt to Invalidate WA Initiatives Aug 16, 2024

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Supporters of several citizen initiatives, some already adopted into Washington law, and others to appear on the November ballot are not buying Attorney General Bob Ferguson's transparency claims following last week’s surprise ruling from the State Supreme Court. The ruling went in the favor of initiative supporters, but the surprising part came in the fact those supporters had no idea there was a legal challenge. Brian Heywood with Let’s Go Washington, the group behind the initiatives, and supporters held a protest rally Wednesday in front of the Seattle office of the attorney general, demanding to know why they were not notified of legal challenges that could have invalidated every single one of the initiatives. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ferguson and Reichert to Face off for Washington Governor in November Aug 09, 2024

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Washington state’s long-time attorney general and a former county sheriff will face off to be Washington’s next governor this November. Based on Tuesday night’s initial returns, Democrat Attorney General Bob Ferguson will face former King County Sheriff and U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, a Republican, in the general election. Initial primary returns showed Ferguson way out in the lead with 49.5% of the vote, with Reichert garnering 27.92% of the vote. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Thurston County Sheriff: Police Pursuit Law Change Sees Fewer Drivers Fleeing Overall Aug 01, 2024

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It’s been nearly two months since Initiative 2113 was implemented, restoring vehicular pursuit options for law enforcement agencies across Washington state. I-2113 was passed by the Legislature this session and went into effect on June. 6. The law allows police officers to pursue vehicles when they have reasonable suspicion that the driver has committed a crime and is a threat to public safety. The change came at the urging of police agencies and citizens who raised concerns about community safety with criminals feeling emboldened to flee, knowing officers were prevented from giving chase in many circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington State Agency Defends Giving AGO Investigation of Tort Claim Against It Jul 25, 2024

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The Washington state agency tasked with overseeing tort claim investigations and determining whether individuals should be compensated as a result is defending its decision to assign an investigation to the state Attorney General’s Office in which the AGO and its client, Washington State University, are named defendants. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

$42 Million Tort Claim Accuses Washington AGO, WSU of Racketeering Jul 18, 2024

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A potential subcontractor for a state police use of force database project who has had a long-running feud with the state Attorney General’s Office and Washington State University has now filed a $42 million tort claim that includes accusations of racketeering. Police Strategies CEO Bob Scales was among potential bidders on a request for proposal put out in 2022 by the AGO via Senate Bill 5259. A former King County prosecutor, Scales was also consulted by legislators as the bill advanced through the Legislature, and advised them on similar bills introduced in prior sessions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Violent Crime Down, Vehicle Theft up in Latest Crime in Washington Report Jul 11, 2024

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The annual Crime in Washington 2023 report found that overall violent crime went down, but hate crimes and vehicle thefts increased. The report, with data from 225 law enforcement agencies across the state, was presented Tuesday by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. The numbers of murders, other violent crimes and property crimes went down compared by 2022, but in many areas of the state, residents are still victimized at alarmingly high rates compared to other states. 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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