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Labor advocates filled up the governor’s conference room on Monday, May 19, 2025 and watched Gov. Bob Ferguson sign Senate Bill 5041, which extends unemployment insurance to striking workers. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Washington state will pay unemployment benefits to striking workers
Labor advocates scored a win on Monday after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new law to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers in Washington.  The governor’s conference room was … more
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Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, looks through documents during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.
Washington Republicans fought against these bills; two could still be vetoed
With a major budget deficit looming, this year's Washington state legislative session was full of drama, and that's before taking a look at a number of policy changes. Now that the session has … more
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Litter is seen alongside an Interstate 5 off ramp near Lacey, Washington. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
New Washington state law increases penalties for litter, delays plastic bag requirements
Washington residents will soon face heftier fines for littering and higher prices for plastic grocery bags. A new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Saturday toughens the punishment for … more
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A border patrol agent at the northern border in the Swanton sector.
Washington, New York and Vermont see most illegal northern border crossers
Of the 14 northern border states that share a land or water border with Canada, the greatest number of apprehensions of illegal border crossers were reported in New York, Washington and Vermont … more
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Trucking industry leaders pose for a photo at a Feb. 21, 2025 hearing for a bill to delink Washington from California trucking emissions standards. From right to left are Mike Chester, Peninsula Truck Lines; Sen. Matt Boehnke; Steve Gordon, Gordon Truck Centers; Sheri Call, Washington Truck Associations; Carl Hergart, Paccar Powertrain; Jeff DeVere, lobbyist for Washington Trucking Association; Mike Ennis, also a lobbyist with WTA; John Barnes, with Tec Equipment.
'We don't want the money': Washington state trucking industry resists EV mandate
The Washington Department of Ecology is proposing updates to regulations that reduce pollution from new semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles sold in the state. Ecology contends the updates will … more
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More than 131,000 drivers crossed the Interstate Bridge between Portland and Vancouver each day in 2021 compared to 33,000 in 1961. (Grant Stringer/States Newsroom)
Tolling delay on I-5 bridge could mean higher rates for Washington and Oregon drivers
Tolling on the Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River will start a year later than planned – but drivers traveling between Washington and Oregon may pay a little more than originally … more
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Kirk Pearson takes the oath of office as the new state director for USDA Rural Development in Washington state, administered by Phil Eggman in Olympia on May 5, 2025. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Former Washington state senator appointed to Trump administration, again
Kirk Pearson, a former longtime Washington state lawmaker, was appointed this month as a top Washington official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Pearson, a Republican, resigned from … more
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Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signs Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1912 on May 15, 2025, in Kennewick. The bill is related to the exemption for fuels used for agricultural purposes in the climate commitment act. The legislation's primary sponsor was state Rep. Tom Dent.
A promise finally fulfilled; Ferguson signs bill exempting ag from CCA fuel taxes
Years after Washington farmers were promised they would be exempt from fuel taxes related to the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed a bill into law to finally fulfill that … more
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Rural-focused organization launches effort to address infrastructure needs in rural Washington state
A rural town in southeastern Washington has been selected to take part in a new pilot project to address critical water infrastructure needs. “We’re losing gallons of water from pipe … more
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Seen here are the blue pens Gov. Bob Ferguson uses to sign bills. Companies and other interest groups are hoping he'll opt for red veto ink on a range of tax bills.
Tesla, Netflix, Philip Morris among those pushing Washington state governor for tax vetoes
Corporate titans. Bank executives. Restaurant operators. Airplane owners.  They’re all trying to convince Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson that there are problems with the tax bills on … more
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Washington state budget includes $150M to maintain health coverage for low-income illegal immigrants
Thousands of people who are not U.S. citizens would continue to receive Medicaid-like health care coverage in Washington state under the budget plan the Legislature recently approved. But the … more
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Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to reporters about the budget on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. He has until Tuesday to act on what the Legislature passed. Several tax bills also await action by the governor. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Veto or sign? Gov. Bob Ferguson keeps everyone guessing on tax and budget bills
Will Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson sign or veto a pile of tax bills and a state budget dependent on them? It’s anyone’s guess. Lawmakers, lobbyists and business leaders are all … more
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New protections for Washington state workers facing mass layoffs signed into law 
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed a bill into law that will require employers with 50 or more full-time employees to give a minimum of 60 days’ notice to the state, any union, … more
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An apartment building under construction in Olympia, Washington in January 2025. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
Next stop for Washington state housing: More construction near transit
Noticed apartment buildings cropping up next to bus and light rail stations? More could be on the way. Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed House Bill 1491 into law, setting new state … more
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Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a trio of bills on Monday related to protecting immigrants in Washington state. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Trio of immigrant rights laws signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed three bills to protect immigrant rights this week.  These included measures to strengthen state power to inspect private detention facilities, prevent coercion in … more
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Lt Gov. Denny Heck presiding over the Senate floor on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Washington state tries to maintain B.C. ties amid Trump era tensions
When Washington Lt. Gov. Denny Heck arrived in British Columbia last week, he wondered how he’d be received. After all, the past few months have seen the usually strong relationship … more
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An attendee holds a program as they listen to Sarah Niyimbona's tribute at Sarah's funeral at Riplinger Funeral Home & Crematory on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Spokane, Wash.
Lawsuit alleges Washington state hospital responsible for 12-year-old's suicide
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. … more
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Wyoming miner and local union leader Marshal Cummings, seen here speaking at a press conference announcing new safety regulations, said older miners tend to be old-school union Democrats, but younger ones are much more likely to be supportive of Donald Trump.
A small federal agency was investigating dangers to miners. Then came DOGE
Like his father and his grandfather, Marshal Cummings grew up mining trona, a substance used in everything from glass to pharmaceuticals and baking soda. When he was 22, that meant spending 16-hour … more
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Abortion services program is in line for steep reduction in Washington state budget
Funding for an abortion care program will be reduced by more than 50% under the state budget plan awaiting Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature.  Washington created the Abortion Access … more
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Washington State Ferries said it would deploy its new electric ferries first on the Mukilteo-Clinton run. The short route is currently served by diesel ferries like the Tokitae, seen here approaching Whidbey Island.
Bids to build new plug-in Washington state ferries come in high
Ferry system managers and state budget writers in Washington took a cold wave over the bow Monday upon opening the bids to construct up to five new hybrid electric ferries. “I don’t … more
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