Our Voice: State health programs need a boost

With a court-ordered deadline looming, lawmakers have had to work their budget proposals around finding a way for the state to meet its constitutional duty to amply fund K-12 schools. This approach, however, risks boosting resources for education at the expense of other essential programs and services.

D.C. Buzz: Esty gets bills signed by Trump

Democratic Governors Association Vice Chairman Jay Inslee, left, Chairman Dannel Malloy, center, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, center, and Hawaii Gov. David Ige, right, share a laugh during a DGA news confernce at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. less Democratic Governors Association Vice Chairman Jay Inslee, left, Chairman Dannel Malloy, center, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, center, and Hawaii Gov. David Ige, right, share a laugh during a DGA news confernce … more Reporters wait to try and get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington, DC.

Democrats face fierce urgency of 2018

Near a nadir of political power, Democrats across the country say their comeback must begin with key races next year – and warn that failure to make big gains in state races in 2018 will doom them to another decade in the minority in Washington. More than three-dozen states will choose governors in the next two years, while voters pick state legislative candidates in thousands of districts across the country.

A Political History Of Washington V. Trump

When President Donald Trump signed an executive order on immigration and refugees last month, it was Washington state that led the legal battle to overturn it. Now, after a string of court rulings, it appears that the fight could be be heading all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Washington’s top lawyer uses strategic streak to fight Trump

The legal challenge that would launch Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson into the vanguard of resistance against President Donald Trump’s travel ban was already in the works as Ferguson flew home from Florida the morning after Trump issued his executive order. “We were having internal conversations about a potential action by the president along those lines,” Ferguson recalled in an interview.

More

A federal appeals court has handed a resounding victory to Washington state and Minnesota in their challenge of President Donald Trump’s travel ban, finding unanimously that a lower court ruling suspending the ban’s enforcement should stay in place while the case continues. The 3-0 decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the states on nearly every issue presented.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson smiles at a news conference…

A federal appeals court has handed a resounding victory to Washington state and Minnesota in their challenge of President Donald Trump’s travel ban, finding unanimously that a lower court ruling suspending the ban’s enforcement should stay in place while the case continues. The 3-0 decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the states on nearly every issue presented.

US judge temporarily blocks Trump’s travel ban nationwide

In this Jan. 30, 2017 file photo, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, right, speaks in Seattle as Gov. Jay Inslee, left, looks on, during a news conference. Ferguson announced that he is suing President Donald Trump over an executive order that suspended immigration from seven countries with majority-Muslim populations and sparked nationwide protests.

Legislative leadership offers early session outlines

Democratic State Representatives Kristine Lytton and Pat Sullivan join their Senate counterparts Sens. Sharon Nelson and Chrisitne Rolfes for a Jan. 17 press availability to discuss the status of early legislation in the 2017 Legislative Session in Olympia while Republican legislators Senators Curtis King and Mark Miloscia along with Rep. J.T. Wilcox and Rep. Shelly Short joined Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler for their party’s overview on education funding later on Tuesday. Thurston County Commissioners John Hutchings and Gary Edwards take their oaths of office during a ceremony at South Puget Sound Community College on Dec. 28, 2016.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson unveils bipartisan legislation to abolish executions

Flanked by former Attorney General Rob McKenna and Governor Jay Inslee, current Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced a major new effort to abolish the barbaric practice of state-sponsored executions in Washington, supported by a bipartisan group of legislators from each house. Declaring that it is the responsibility of leaders to lead, Ferguson said the time has come for the Legislature to take a vote on ending the costly, ineffective death penalty.

Education money: Battle for billions begins in Legislature

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during the annual AP Legislative Preview, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, left, speaks as Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, listens at right during the annual AP Legislative Preview, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash.

Governor’s report: Salmon remain in trouble in Washington

A new state report finds that salmon throughout Washington remain in trouble with many species not recovering and fishing harvests declining in recent decades. The governor’s State of Salmon in Watersheds report Wednesday notes that seven of 15 salmon and steelhead species listed as federally threatened or endangered are getting worse or not improving.

Washington Electoral College makes their choice

Opening the 32nd Washington Electoral College Dec 19th Secretary of State Kim Wyman explains the history and process of the state Electoral College as 12 electors choose the state’s President and Vice-President choices. The Thurston County Commission voted on a new ordinance on Nov. 29 that will restrict the county’s use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement holds.

Navy extends comment time on plan to add jets at Whidbey

The Navy is giving people an extra month to weigh in on its proposal to increase the number of electronic attack aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The Seattle Times says the new Feb. 24 deadline results from requests by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Rep. Rick Larsen and Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray for more time for public review of the draft environmental study.