(Photo credit Washington State Patrol)
In February, in a 5-4 decision in the “Blake” case, the WA Supreme Court struck down the state’s felony drug possession law, thereby decriminalizing drug possession. The majority found the law unconstitutional, because it didn’t require prosecutors to prove a person intended to possess drugs.… Continue reading Inside Olympia — Drug Possession
This week we’ve got a press panel retrospective on some of the big proposals that cleared the House and Senate during the unorthodox legislative session that wrapped up a couple of weeks ago. Everett Herald political reporter Jerry Cornfield joined us along with… Continue reading “The Impact”: 2021 Session Press Panel Recap
April 29, 2021
The 2021 Legislature adjourned on Sunday, April 25th. Majority Democrats, who control both House and Senate, and minority Republicans give vastly different reviews of the session.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig of Spokane and Democratic House Speaker Laurie Jinkins of Tacoma call the session historic,… Continue reading Inside Olympia – Legislative Leaders
“The Impact”: Capital Gains and Environmental Bills Cross Finish Line (Video)… Continue reading “The Impact”: Capital Gains and Environmental Bills Cross Finish Line
Monday, April 19
April 19th marked the beginning of the last week of the 2021 legislative session. Our coverage started with a hearing by the House Appropriations Committee, which held a public hearing to discuss Senate Bill 5126, also known as the Climate Commitment Act.
Requested by Governor Jay… Continue reading Legislative Highlights | April 19-23
Watch: “The Impact”: State Auditor and Acting Commissioner Weigh in on ESD Audits
Guests: State Auditor Pat McCarthy (D) and Acting Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek.
This month the Washington State Auditor’s Office published the results of investigations into the handling of widespread benefits fraud… Continue reading “The Impact”: State Auditor and Acting Commissioner Weigh in on ESD Audits
Monday, April 12
Monday, April 12th, marked the 92nd out of 105 days of the legislative session. As the countdown continues, we started this week’s coverage with a review of both the House and Senate weekend floor debates.
Both chambers held full days of debate, working to beat a 5pm… Continue reading Legislative Highlights – April 12-16, 2021
April 15, 2021
This week host Austin Jenkins sits down with two guests who are directly involved in state prisons: Steve Sinclair, who is retiring as secretary of the Washington Department of Corrections after four years at the helm, and Joanna Carns, the director of the recently created state Office… Continue reading Inside Olympia – State Prisons
In previous episodes we’ve covered the challenges facing working parents seeking affordable child care, the struggles facing providers themselves, and how the pandemic has complicated things even more.
… Continue reading “The Impact”: Child Care Trends and the Law; Budgeting for Disaster“The big challenge I think we’re facing is that a lot of families have pieced together care with
Monday April 5
On Monday, April 5th, the Senate Ways and Means Committee convened for a public hearing on Senate Bill 5476–an act, that if passed, could potentially change how the state penalizes drug possession.
Under current state law, any individual who unknowingly carries a controlled substance but is found… Continue reading Legislative Highlights April 5-8, 2021
