Washington in Focus

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If Voters Decide to Allow WA Cares Op-Out, Will the State Refund Tax Collections? Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

More than nine months since Washington state workers started paying into the state-mandated long-term care insurance program known as WA Cares, most working Washingtonians have contributed at least a few hundred dollars to the program. But if voters approve Initiative 2124 this November, workers can opt out of having 58 cents out of every $100 earned deducted from their paychecks. WA Cares opponents argue the maximum $36,500 benefit, not available until July 2026, is not adequate and may give someone a false sense of security about future long-term care needs.

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_a7275f6c-01c8-11ef-beaa-af7f77c014c2.html

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Washington’s High-Capacity Magazine Ban Back in Court, Ruling Expected Next Week Apr 19, 2024

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There was no decision from the bench Wednesday afternoon in the Gators Custom Guns case regarding the state ban on high-capacity magazines for firearms. State Supreme Court Commissioner Mike Johnston opened the hearing with remarks for what he said was, “the importance of a number of people watching this case.” “Personal side note, I’m a gun enthusiast. I know a lot about guns,” he said. Johnston is the court commissioner who last week granted a temporary stay of a ruling from Cowlitz County that found the high-capacity magazine ban unconstitutional – that is, a violation of the Second Amendment.

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_c6ddde08-fd18-11ee-89eb-3f0437925545.html

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The Uncertain Future of Natural Gas in Washington State Apr 12, 2024

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There is ongoing debate over a newly-enacted law and its effect on natural gas in Washington state. The state's largest utility provider says it does not affect natural gas for new or future customers, but others argue that the new provisions set the stage for turning the shut-off valve for good.

House Bill 1589 signed by Gov. Jay Inslee last month consolidates Puget Sound Energy’s planning for both electrical and natural gas. While opponents claim it bans natural gas, PSE recently put out a fact sheet arguing that it does not. At the same time, it references provisions of a separate bill enacted in 2019, Senate Bill 5116, which requires all utilities meet various energy portfolio requirements. Under the Clean Energy Transformation Act, utilities must have 80% non-emitting energy sources by 2030 and 100% non-emitting by 2045.

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_297d6c46-f69c-11ee-93ab-f3947ebf1a46.html

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Does a New Washington State Law Ban Natural Gas, or Is That Claim ‘Misinformation’? Apr 05, 2024

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Puget Sound Energy is challenging claims that a recent bill signed into law restricts or eliminates natural gas service, calling it "misinformation." This session, the Washington State Legislature enacted Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1589, which was signed last week by Gov. Jay Inslee. The bill was proposed during last year’s session, but failed to clear both chambers. Among its provisions are the consolidation of PSE’s planning process for both electric and natural gas services. Initially, the bill also removed PSE’s legal obligation to provide existing natural gas service to customers, while banning future natural gas hookups to new commercial or residential construction.

Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_4496751c-f071-11ee-8146-73fac6fee36b.html

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New Washington Law Allows Illegal Foreign Nationals to Obtain Commercial Licenses Mar 29, 2024

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A new law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee allows illegal foreign nationals to obtain professional and commercial licenses to work a variety of jobs if they otherwise qualify or meet requirements. Under existing state law, a commercial vehicle license is needed from the state Department of Licensing to legally work certain careers, whereas other professions are regulated by a board of commission that determine the qualifications.

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WA Supreme Court: Passing the Bar No Longer Required to Be a Lawyer Mar 22, 2024

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(The Center Square) – Passing the the bar exam will no longer be a requirement for becoming a lawyer in Washington, the state Supreme Court ruled in a pair of orders Friday. Washington becomes only the second state to officially approve alternatives to the bar, following its southern neighbor, Oregon, which is set to make the change in May. The state Supreme Court appointed a Bar Licensure Task Force to study alternative ways to show competency in 2020, after COVID-19-related modifications resulting in many questioning the efficacy of the current exam.

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Concerns Remain About Passage of a Bill That Paves Way for Natural Gas Ban in WA Mar 15, 2024

Show notes

One of the most controversial bills passed by the Washington State Legislature this session has yet to be signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1589, dubbed by critics as the "natural gas ban bill," would allow utilities – that is, Puget Sound Energy – to start planning how to move away from natural gas. Inslee is expected to sign the bill, a cornerstone of Inslee's agenda to fight climate change, into law.

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Former WSDOT Economist Sues, Speaks Out Over Gas Price Whistleblowing Claims Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

Scott Smith, a former economist with the Washington State Department of Transportation, spoke out Wednesday morning about the hostility and retaliation he says he faced after refusing to keep quiet about his calculations last year showing Washington’s cap-and-trade program would increase gas prices by 45 to 50 cents per gallon. “When I was preparing the estimates, the facts were so obvious that it was a matter of sixth-grade math,” he said during a virtual news conference the day after the Citizen Action Defense Fund filed a lawsuit on his behalf.

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Republicans, Others Lament ‘Sham of a Hearing’ on Police Pursuit Initiative Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Proponents of Initiative 2113 to reduce requirements for law enforcement to engage in vehicle pursuits expressed frustration at how a Wednesday morning legislative public hearing on the initiative was conducted. Testimony before both the Senate Law & Justice Committee and the House Community Safety, Justice & Reentry Committee did not begin until 30 minutes into the one-hour hearing due to majority party Democrats asking questions of committee staff members. One of the questions asked of staff came from Rep. Tara Simmons, D-Bremerton, who suggested recent studies prove that when police pursuit restrictions are loosened, it increases racial profiling.

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Seattle Mayor Says No to New Taxes to Address $229M Budget Gap Feb 23, 2024

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Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said that he would not look at new revenue streams to address the city’s $229 million budget gap. Harrell gave his State of the City address with an emphasis on improving public safety, increasing the city’s affordable housing stock, addressing the drug epidemic and replacing aging infrastructure. “The size of this deficit means that we will have difficult financial decisions ahead,” Harrel said.

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