News

Ignoring affordability concerns, Senate Democrats advanced bills that would raise the cost of living for Washingtonians. Tracy Ellis explains.

A step toward bolstering the state’s emergency readiness – the state Senate passed a bill to make the Civil Air Patrol an official division of the state’s Military Department. Tracy Ellis has more.

The Super Bowl champs get a salute from the state Senate. Tracy Ellis reports.

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate today unanimously approved Senate Bill 5977, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, 15th Legislative District. The legislation would require the public release of child near fatality review reports conducted by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The bill passed the Senate unanimously, 47–0 and now heads to...

Welcome to the first episode of The Mighty 8th Podcast, coming to you from Olympia and focused on giving the 8th District a strong voice in state government. Sen. Matt Boehnke joins the show to discuss two of the most pressing and controversial issues facing the 8th Legislative District and communities across Washington. The conversation...

OLYMPIA — Sen. Nikki Torres today sponsored Senate Resolution 8683 honoring the Seattle Seahawks for their historic 2025 National Football League season, culminating in a Super Bowl LX championship and one of the most successful campaigns in franchise history. The resolution is scheduled to be read on the Senate floor on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The...

In this legislative update, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, explains why Washington’s proposed income tax, Senate Bill 6346, is anything but harmless. For years, Washington promoted itself as a great place to live and do business because it had no personal or business income tax. That changed with the adoption of the capital gains tax. Now,...

Senator Shelly Short and Representative Andrew Engell discuss income tax proposals, parents’ rights initiatives, crime concerns, and rural issues on “Live from Olympia” on Okanogan Country Radio. Hear insights on legislative deadlines, wildfire funding, hunting access, and bills shaping Washington’s future.

Senators Shelly Short and Judy Warnick cover the proposed income tax legislation, the first bill cutoff and upcoming floor debates. They also highlight growing public involvement in state government, sharing details about listening sessions on voter-backed initiatives addressing fairness in girls’ sports and privacy concerns. They stress the importance of citizen voices in shaping policy...

AUDIO: Sen. Jeff Wilson addresses the new income tax bill, cautioning that while it targets million-dollar incomes now, thresholds could drop to affect middle-class families. Wilson emphasizes Washington’s history of rejecting income taxes and urges vigilance against what he calls “an income tax on the loose.”

Sen. Mark Schoesler discusses the Democrats’ income tax proposal that he was warned would come after the capital gains tax passed. Schoesler questions promises of tax relief, criticizes token sales tax exemptions like toothpaste and suntan lotion, and warns taxpayers about future tax hikes and broken pledges.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun reacts to Democrats introducing an income tax bill. Braun highlights the state’s constitutional precedent against income taxes, past voter rejections, and why he sees the proposal as a “money grab” with minimal tax relief for working families.