Washington finances improved, but state in debt

The state needed $5.3 billion to pay its bills

Washington earns 86/100 in financial transparency, ranking 6 among 50 states

New report from Truth in Accounting reveals Washington’s strengths and weaknesses in fiscal reporting

Washington ranked no. 29 for fiscal health

According to new report by government finance watchdog

New WA Gun Law Already Faces Federal Court Challenge

Washington is the 10th state — including California, Hawaii, Illinois and New York — to enact a ban on AR and AK-style rifles.

$45M Owed To WA Taxpayers: ‘Time Running Out’ To Claim, IRS Says

Nationwide, the IRS says taxpayers are sitting on $1.5 billion in refunds from the 2019 tax season— but the clock is ticking to claim them.

Returning Orca Lolita To Northwest Is Risky, Some Caregivers Say

Lolita would be released into an enclosure the size of a couple football fields, where she would be under round-the-clock care.

WA Capital Gains Tax Upheld By State Supreme Court

Washington is one of nine states without an income tax. A heavy reliance on sales and fuel taxes falls disproportionately on lower earners.

Bill To Restart Airport Search Process Passes WA House

After intense pushback, Washington is one step closer to rewriting its playbook for where to build out a new airport in the years ahead.

Finnish President Visits Washington Monday

The President of Finland will kick off a five-day tour of the United States with a visit to Olympia and a speech before the legislature.

Search For New WA Airport Seeks Public Input

Recommendations for where to place a new Western Washington airport are due this summer, and residents have a chance to weigh in this month.

WA Needs 1.1 Million New Homes Over The Next Two Decades

According to state projections released Thursday, Washington will need to build more than a million homes to keep up with the population.

New Grants To Improve Shellfish Habitats In WA

Washington produces the most farmed shellfish in the U.S., and a series of grants will fund 11 projects to restore and protect habitats.

WA Lawmakers Advance Anti-Doxing Bill

The House has passed a bipartisan bill designed to deter "doxing," adding new financial penalties for those who expose personal information.

Proposed Traffic Stop Changes Pass Out Of House Committee

Legislation designed to limit traffic stops for minor infractions cleared a key hurdle in the House on Thursday.

Bipartisan Bill Aims To Improve Wildfire Smoke Forecasts & Monitoring

New legislation would expand a popular wildfire prevention program and bolster the state's smoke monitoring and forecasting efforts.

Inslee Tests Positive For COVID A 2nd Time

Gov. Jay Inslee's office said his illness was mild and the governor would work remotely after testing positive for COVID-19.

New Traffic Stop Bill Gets Hearing In Olympia

Lawmakers in the House are considering a new traffic safety bill designed to limit stops over non-moving violations.

Bill To Cap Rent Increases Introduced In Olympia

Bills designed to improve stability for renters and cut down on excessive price hikes have garnered more than two dozen sponsors.

WA Lawmakers Consider New Tax On 'Ultra-Wealthy'

Washington lawmakers are debating a new 1 percent tax on wealth over $250 million, estimated to generate more than $3 billion annually.

Lawmakers Pitch New Gun Bills, Lower DUI Threshold In Washington

Lawmakers are considering a renewed effort to ban "military-style assault weapons," relaxed rules for police pursuits and a lower DUI limit.

Jan. 6 Insurrection Anniversary: Where WA Cases Stand Today

More than a dozen Washingtonians face charges related to Jan. 6, including a lieutenant in the Proud Boys on trial for seditious conspiracy.

Tougher Robocall Laws May Be Coming To Washington

The state Attorney General is asking lawmakers to impose stronger rules and penalties for companies that bombard residents with robocalls.

Housing Headlines Inslee's Budget Proposals

The new legislative session gets underway in January, and Gov. Jay Inslee has a long list of priorities for the 2023-25 budget.

AG Sues Federal Way Gun Store, Alleging Illegal Magazine Sales

Investigators said they were able to buy high-capacity magazines at the store on several occasions after Washington's new law took effect.

Ferguson Seeks Funding For Organized Retail Crime Unit

The Attorney General's office is asking lawmakers for funds to staff a new unit to target retail theft operations across jurisdictions.

REAL ID Deadline Extended Again: What It Means For WA Residents

Thanks to the latest federal extension, travelers will be able to board flights with standard driver's licenses beyond next year.

WA Revenue Forecast Surges $762M, According To New Estimates

The state's latest projections show much higher revenue than initially anticipated for both the current budget cycle and the next.

​Washington Bans Fish-Farming Net Pens, Citing Salmon Threat

California, Oregon and Alaska have already outlawed net-pen aquaculture, and Canada is working on a plan to phase it out by 2025.

WA Election Officials Ask For Patience As Ballot Counting Continues

The Secretary of State's office said an issue with the VoteWA system slowed workers' ability to verify signatures and process ballots.

WA Election Roundup: Murray, Schrier Extend Leads In 2nd Ballot Drop

Here's how key races are shaping up around the Evergreen State after the second batch of ballots were added to the tallies.

WA Election Night Results 2022: Secretary Of State

The race for the state's elections chief is between Democrat Steve Hobbs and nonpartisan Julie Anderson. Here's the first round of results.

Election Day In WA: Here's What Last-Minute Voters Need To Know

Voter turnout lagged heading into Election Day, but officials expect the usual influx of last-minute ballots before the polls close.

Election Day Is Near: Here Are Some Tips For Last-Minute Ballots In WA

Election Day is Tuesday, and millions of voters have just a few days left to make sure their voices are heard. Here's how.

Federal Judge Sides With Bikini Baristas' Challenge To Everett Rules

The U.S. District Court in Seattle found Everett’s dress code ordinance violated the U.S. and Washington state constitutions.

$18M Headed To Mental Health Facilities In WA

Organizations in King, Pierce and three other counties are receiving state grants to help build eight behavioral health centers.

Conspiracy Pushers Target Races For Local Election Posts

A race for the auditor's office in Mason County mirrors many others playing out across the country heading toward Election Day.

Some Fire Restrictions Ease On WDFW Lands

With autumn rains finally approaching, certain fire restrictions in place over the summer are beginning to roll back.

9% Social Security Raise Will Boost WA Recipients’ Checks By $140

Beginning in January, residents who are 65 or older will see a historic 8.7 percent increase in their monthly Social Security benefits.

Washington To Receive Half-Billion Dollars Amid Opioid Crisis

The funding plan is part of a resolution with three companies “found to have played key roles in fueling the opioid epidemic.”

Here's What's In The $15.8B King County Budget Proposal

It's budget season, and the latest plans for King County include big investments in public safety, housing, and more.