Articles written by Cameron Sheppard
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Governor unveils plans to help workers, renters and small businesses
Economic assistance to workers, renters and small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak will be provided by Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 response plan. Last week, Inslee mandated a two-week closure of restaurants, bars,...
Washington scrambles to boost supply of life-saving protective items for healthcare workers
Millions of N-95 masks and other types of personal protective equipment are being delivered to Washington State as public health and emergency response officials scramble to obtain the equipment needed to respond to the growing COVID-19 outbreak....
Governor unveils plans to help workers, renters and small businesses
Economic assistance to workers, renters and small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak will be provided by Governor Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 response plan. Earlier this week, Inslee mandated a two-week closure of restauran...
Amid pious protesters, Satanists conduct a ritual on the Capitol steps
Congregants from the Seattle-based Satanic Temple of Washington drew a crowd of prayerful onlookers Friday as they hoisted their pentagram and conducted a satanic ritual at the state Capitol Friday,...
Senators balance transportation budget despite revenue shortfall caused by I-976
Facing a shortfall of $450 million, lawmakers last week patched together a budget to fund highway maintenance, the Washington State Patrol and other transportation projects. The Senate Transportation...
Parents and teachers express concerns over mandatory sex ed
Parents, students and educational professionals voiced their concerns in a public hearing about a bill that would mandate comprehensive sexual education in public schools beginning as soon as kindergarten. Lorraine Jenne, chair for the Wahluke...
Lawmakers consider a grow-your-own recreational marijuana bill
People may be allowed to grow up to six of their own cannabis plants and up to 15 plants per household if the Legislature passes House Bill 1131 or its companion, Senate Bill 5155. Under current law, people can obtain prescriptions for medical...
Lawmakers aim to make childcare more accessible
Parents could have better access to childcare providers if lawmakers pass a bill that aims to make the childcare certification process cheaper and easier. The primary sponsor of House Bill 2556, Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said he intends for this l...
Advisory votes on tax increases under fire
Advisory votes that give voters a chance to let lawmakers know their opinions on legislation to increase taxes may be removed from future ballots. Instead, senators are considering replacing advisory votes with a public opinion task force. The...
House passes bill to expand court-ordered gun confiscation
Courts could be one step closer to ordering people subject to vulnerable adult protection orders to surrender their firearms after the House voted 55 to 42 on Friday, Feb. 14, in favor of a bill that expands authority to do so. House Bill 2305 would...
Senate passes bill requiring comprehensive sex-ed in public schools
A proposed law to require school districts to implement a comprehensive sexual education curriculum emphasizing healthy relationships and consent was passed after a 28-21 vote by the state Senate last week. If signed into law, Engrossed Substitute...
Armed 2nd Amendment supporters rallied in resistance at Capitol
For Mukilteo residents still hurting from a mass shooting in 2016 that killed three young people and injured a fourth, the scene in Olympia on Jan. 17 stirred up strong feelings. Roughly 100 gun...
Senate passes bill requiring comprehensive sex-ed in public schools
A proposed law to require school districts to implement a comprehensive sexual education curriculum emphasizing healthy relationships and consent was passed after a 28-21 vote by the state Senate yesterday. If signed into law, Engrossed Substitute...
Lawmakers aim to put sweeping regulations on the vaping industry
Legislation requested by the governor's office and supported by Democratic senators aims to ban flavored nicotine vaping products and impose sweeping regulations on the vaping industry. If passed, Senate Bill 6254 would limit the nicotine...
Lawmakers hear pitch to replace gas tax with a fee per mile driven
Washington state lawmakers will consider a gradual transition from the state’s current gasoline tax to a system that would charge drivers fees based on how many miles they travel. This comes amid rising concerns over the amount of revenue...
Lawmakers move to limit companies that trade your data
Washington lawmakers have proposed groundbreaking legislation that aims to give consumers more control over their digitally-collected personal data and image. Senate Bill 6281, or the Washington Privacy Act, would allow consumers to access, correct,...
Republicans aim to guarantee $30 car tabs amid court hang-up
As Initiative 976, the car tabs measure approved by voters in November, is held up in the State Supreme Court, Republicans proposed laws that would guarantee the $30 car tabs Washington voters approved. “It is just a clean $30 car tab,” said Sen...
Industry leaders worry clean-fuel program could hurt economy
Democrats in the state Legislature are backing bills aimed at reducing carbon emissions and pollutants put into the atmosphere by transportation fuels with the goal of achieving a 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by the...
Gun rights advocates rally at Capitol
OLYMPIA - On what turned out to be a cold and rainy day, nearly 150 people from across Washington gathered Jan. 17 on the state Capitol steps in support of their right to bear arms. Lawmakers and...
Democrats push to require firearm training for concealed carriers
OLYMPIA -- A proposal by Senate Democrats would require concealed pistol license applicants to complete a safety course. Senate Bill 6294 would require conceal-carry permit holders to complete a eight hours of training that would include safe...
Homelessness emergency grabs the attention of lawmakers
Lawmakers are scrambling to confront a crisis that leaves people sleeping out in the cold and rain. The complex contributing factors of homelessness in Washington are creating a formidable...
GOP Senators propose free use of state parks
OLYMPIA — Residents and visitors will get a break if lawmakers approve a proposal to do away with Discover Pass fees for using state parks. Senate Minority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville, have co-sponsored...
