Washington State

Can the snarky ‘Save Our Yachts’ campaign save Washington’s capital gains tax?

The long-fought-for and hard-won tax has survived its legal challenges. Now it must survive the ballot.

  • By Elizabeth Daigneau

In reversal, more areas allow high-speed police chases

Supporters of policy rollbacks say police pursuits can reduce crime; some experts aren’t so sure.

  • By Amanda Hernández, Stateline

Longtime state senator announces plans to retire

In an interview from earlier this year, Washington’s Karen Keiser discussed her nearly 30-year career and how to affect change in state legislatures.

  • By Chris Teale

Washington’s key climate law is under attack

In 2023, the state’s Climate Commitment Act generated more than $2 billion for projects to clean up transportation, shift to clean energy and help communities adapt to the effects of a changing climate. But this fall, voters will get a chance to shut it all down.

  • By Kate Yoder, Grist

Washington’s cap on carbon is raising billions for climate action. Can it survive the backlash?

A repeal initiative blaming the state's climate law for higher gas prices could wind up on the ballot in November.

  • By Kate Yoder, Grist

A seasoned legislator looks to help newcomers navigate the complex world of lawmaking

As state legislatures across the country prepare for the new session, Washington state Sen. Karen Keiser offers newly elected lawmakers advice in a new book that looks back on a 25-year career.

  • By Chris Teale

Nation’s Longest-Serving Governor Won’t Run for Reelection

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee made a name for himself at home and nationally as an environmental champion.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

How Washington Raised $300 Million for Climate Action From Polluters

The state's first "cap-and-invest" auction nearly doubled the price of carbon recently sold in California.

  • By Kate Yoder, Grist

Localities Are Finding Creative Affordable Housing Solutions

There's an estimated shortage of 3.8 million housing units nationwide. Cities and towns are stepping up to help residents.

  • By Erika Bolstad, Stateline

Murder Hornets in US Being Trapped With ‘Sex Spray’

The Asian giant hornet is killing honeybees in the west and may migrate east, which could have a devastating economic impact.

  • By Andre Claudio

When Counties Need Fines, More Women Go to Jail

"Heavy reliance on monetary sanctions as a source of revenue creates an obvious conflict of interest for local governments: They need people to violate the law in order to keep themselves out of the red," researcher Kate O'Neill says.

  • By Kim Eckart-Washington , Futurity

States Lawmakers are Taking On Housing Policy Once Left to Locals

Legislators are looking at new—and sometimes controversial—ways to spur denser development and more affordable homes.

  • By Jared Brey
Featured eBooks
The State of Trust in Government
Cybersecurity in State and Local Government
Building Data Literacy in the State and Local Workforce

States Embrace Vaccine Mandates Despite Potential Worker Exodus

“No one’s in panic mode here.”

  • By Alex Brown, Stateline

'Joints for Jabs' Vaccine Incentive Rolls Out in Washington State

Cannabis retailers can offer a joint to people who get Covid-19 vaccine shots. A former surgeon general is warning that some perks like this could raise public health concerns of their own.

  • By Bill Lucia

New Environmental Justice Measures Might Revive Cap-and-Trade

In Washington, the passage of a bill that places a cap on carbon emissions and charges polluters for contributing to climate change comes as support for such policies wanes. How the law plays out could could have implications for national climate policy.

  • By Alex Brown, Stateline

One State’s Plan to Ease the ‘Invisible’ Diaper Gap for Families

A third of families nationwide experience diaper need, regardless of age, race or income, data shows. Washington state will allocate funding for diaper banks in its latest budget to help close that gap.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Washington State Sets 2030 Goal for Phasing Out Gas-Powered Cars

The measure, awaiting a signature from Gov. Jay Inslee, comes after California set a similar target.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Families Say Athletic Bans Would Exact Toll on Rural Transgender Youth

This year, state lawmakers across the country have filed more than two dozen bills that would ban transgender youth from playing on sports teams that don’t align with their sex at birth.

  • By Aallyah Wright, Stateline

For States’ Covid Contact Tracing Apps, Privacy Tops Utility

Nearly half the states have or are planning to launch a digital contact tracing system, but critics say the technology has overemphasized privacy at the cost of usefulness.

  • By Lindsey Van Ness, Stateline

The Best and Worst States of 2021

U.S. News & World Report published the latest edition of its Best States Rankings.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Grocery Groups Sue Over Mandated Hazard Pay for Workers

Two industry trade groups sued the city of Seattle over a new law requiring a $4-per-hour hazard pay raise.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram