senate
Washington lawmakers look at shielding people from surprise ambulance costs
People in Washington often face high costs for ambulance rides, despite not having a choice about the service, an October state Office of the Insurance Commissioner report found. State lawmakers and health officials are now looking at ways to change that, including by prohibiting ambulance operators from billing consumers for costs their insurance doesn’t cover […]
Making time to celebrate the Chinese community’s place in state history
A new law enacted Tuesday aims to educate students about the culture, contributions and struggles of the state’s Chinese community. The bill signed by Gov. Jay Inslee designates January as Chinese American/Americans of Chinese Descent History Month and encourages public schools to set aside time to delve into their lives, history and achievements since the […]
The race begins for Washington attorney general
Democratic state Sen. Manka Dhingra, of Redmond, on Monday launched her campaign to become Washington’s next attorney general. Dhingra, a former senior deputy prosecuting attorney for King County and the current Senate deputy majority leader, is the first candidate to enter the race to succeed Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson who is campaigning for governor. […]
As overtime looms in Olympia, deal on drug possession law proves elusive
State lawmakers are gearing up for a special session next week with one purpose: setting a new course for how illegal drug possession is handled in Washington. This overtime period, the first in six years, begins May 16. It could end that day. Or it could last a month. It depends on whether legislators can […]
Fed’s fault-finding on bank failures could lead to stronger regulations
New banking regulations proposed by federal watchdogs don't go far enough in countering potential problems, but will help, advocates say.