Electronic monitoring levels economic playing field
A recent Congressional mandate has instituted the use of electronic devices to ensure truckers throughout the country comply with rules that regulate the hours drivers may operate their vehicles....
View ArticleTourism bill draws strong support
Washington is the only state in the country without a dedicated statewide tourism agency – and this has been the case since 2011. To address the issue, state lawmakers have put forth a bill which would...
View ArticleRecalibrating local growth management plans
Washington has a growth problem, but the problem differs depending on where you live. In the Puget Sound region, an exploding population has led to increased traffic congestion, rising real estate...
View ArticleHirst fix update: Water bill becomes law
After 18 months of stakeholder meetings and debate, the Washington State Legislature passed and Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill to address the negative effects stemming from the 2016...
View ArticleTax credit proposed to aid rural broadband
One Washington telecom provider wants all state residents to have high-speed internet access by 2028. It’s a goal driven primarily by uneven broadband access, which creates a divide between rural and...
View ArticleEmployers support grocery, restaurant training bill
Business representatives are touting HB 2830 as way to increase training opportunities within restaurants and grocery stores across the state, saying the measure allows employers to further their...
View ArticleStakeholders say tourism bill needs another lead authority
Tourism agency representatives are finding fault with the lead agency listed in a House bill that would establish a statewide agency for managing tourism efforts. Although the measure would create a...
View ArticleNet neutrality bills advance
As House lawmakers consider two similar net neutrality bills, another proposal has been introduced in the Senate that would apply the two-year federal policy to Washington state. SB 6423 would...
View ArticlePrevailing wage bill clears the Senate
The Washington state Senate has approved a bill which would specify how prevailing wages must be set. Although the majority of lawmakers are supportive of SB 5493, one voiced concern that the...
View ArticleSenate approves rural broadband pilot program
Senate lawmakers overwhelming approved legislation on Monday that supporters hope will create further momentum for full high-speed internet deployment in Washington state. ESSB 6034 creates a pilot...
View ArticleBill would promote broadband access
In the ongoing push to extend broadband across Washington, all of the state’s 75 port districts will be able to build and operate high-speed internet infrastructure if the Senate approves a bill...
View ArticleIs your county “rural” enough?
State lawmakers behind a bipartisan proposal to reduce the business and occupation (B&O) tax rate for manufacturers say they want to help rural Washington catch up with the rest of the state and...
View ArticleA “report card” for tax cuts
A frequent debate among legislators is whether excluding an industry or business from a state tax is an incentive that brings more jobs and growth to Washington, or merely a tax break that benefits an...
View ArticleRevitalizing statewide tourism efforts
Two state lawmakers from central Washington are expressing the need for statewide tourism marketing, as they say Washington is overshadowed by other states’ efforts. On the horizon are two companion...
View ArticleLegislator: Fear, speculation driving net neutrality action
After a brief but spirited debate, the Washington state Senate approved the first state-level net neutrality legislation in the nation. SHB 2282 imposes several regulations on internet service...
View ArticleThe dark side of carbon tax’s demise
After the election of Sen. Manka Dhingra in the 45th legislative district gave Democrats control of both legislative chambers and the governorship, some wondered if 2018 was also the year for a carbon...
View ArticleLawmakers: Future of work proposal “redundant”
State lawmakers disagreed over the need for a bill which would predict changes in Washington industries and work by creating the future of work task force. Representatives in favor of the measure...
View ArticleModernizing the state’s fishing fleet
Lawmakers and stakeholders are praising a proposal which would help encourage competitiveness of the state’s fishing and seafood processing sectors by establishing a preferential tax rate for vessel...
View ArticleLens Video: Revitalizing Washington’s tourism program
Lens sat down with State Rep. Cary Condotta (R-12) to discuss the future of tourism in Washington state. Lawmakers are pushing to reopen a statewide tourism agency, as they say the move would benefit...
View ArticleLongview: Tenant would feed city’s tech appetite
A company with a focus on powering supercomputers has set its sights on Longview, Washington as its potential location for operations. Both the company and the Longview City Council agree the move...
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