Beginning May 4, you will see less content from House Republicans on this platform due to election-year activity restrictions.
These rules remain in effect through the November general election and limit the use of state resources to communicate with the public once lawmakers file for office.
You are still welcome to contact your lawmakers directly and can do so by visiting our website.
The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians: https://t.co/wKSQRTZhr5
.@komonews: “Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said state agencies should prepare for difficult budget decisions as his administration begins crafting the next state spending plan. He warned that the state’s fiscal situation is ‘dire’ while pledging not to propose new taxes to offset any budget shortfall.”
The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians: https://t.co/08w3JA7SB9
“Another high-profile business leader is leaving Washington.
“Rich Barton, the billionaire entrepreneur who founded Expedia, Zillow, and Glassdoor, announced Friday that he has officially relocated from Seattle to Las Vegas, becoming the latest prominent figure to leave the state amid growing debate over taxes, regulations, and Washington’s economic future.”
The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians: h https://t.co/iq7BLA1wOP
“The Governor of Montana tells The Center Square he hopes to lure more out of state business expansion into his state, following this week’s announcement that Sedro-Woolley based Janicki Industries chose Great Falls as the site of its next manufacturing campus.
“‘We want entrepreneurs, they’re like golden geese,’ said Montana Governor Greg Gianforte in a Thursday interview with The Center Square.
“‘Montana’s open for business. We’ve been deregulating. We’ve eliminated or streamlined 35% of all the regulations in the state. We’ve had multiple tax reductions. We think people should keep the fruits of their labor.’
“… Gianforte told The Center Square Montana’s approach to business is vastly different than Washington and other high tax states.”
The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians: https://t.co/tRFHu9Li71
.@theolympian: “Why is Washington state one of the worst for retirees?
“According to Retirement Living, Washington state was the third-least affordable state to retire in 2026.
“High costs for housing and living significantly hurt the state’s status as a cost-friendly place to spend your golden years.
“The median home sale price in Washington state was $604,000, while median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $1,641 a month …
“Washington residents pay about $5.66 per gallon of regular gasoline, according to AAA."
The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians: https://t.co/ADoNBntNj4
“Pasco leaders are pushing to introduce regulations designed to prevent housing for ‘sexually violent predators’ from being located near families.
“But the city’s legal counsel warned that pressing for certain restrictions would make it impossible for the former residents of McNeil Island to have housing in the city, which could violate state law.
“They explained that cities can only regulate where and how these homes will be built, but not forbid them. ‘The law actually says that we can’t make it completely impractical to site one of these facilities,’ said Pasco’s legal counsel Drew Pollom.”
The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians: https://t.co/jwsdesA0rs
.@komonews: “[Microsoft President Brad Smith] argued Washington now ranks near the top nationally across multiple tax categories simultaneously, including capital gains taxes, estate taxes, sales taxes and business taxes, creating cumulative pressure businesses increasingly evaluate when deciding where to invest.”
We are heartbroken by the tragic chemical blast at the pulp and paper mill facility in Longview. Our prayers are with the workers, first responders, victims, and families affected by this devastating incident.
We are grateful for the emergency personnel and medical teams’ rescue and ongoing recovery efforts under dangerous conditions. We also appreciate the local, state, and federal response, including the Washington National Guard Civil Support Team and National Guard Homeland Response Force. The National Guard has been providing assistance in air monitoring and setting up decontamination lines, as well as supporting the recovery operations.
As recovery operations continue, we are thankful for everyone working around the clock to protect and support the community.
Please join us in praying for the Longview community during this difficult time.
.@theolympian: "Childcare in Washington continues to be among the costliest nationwide, according to a new report.
"In the report released this month by Child Care Aware of America, Washington state had the second-highest average price for placing two children in center-based care at $40,896 per year — behind only Massachusetts ($48,431 annually).
"The cost in Washington to enroll two kids under 5 in such care is nearly double that of the state’s median annual rent of $21,120, per the data. Plus, Washington counted the fourth-priciest rent; California, Hawaii and Massachusetts ranked as having the first-, second- and third-highest rent, respectively."
The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians: https://t.co/WdKHoFSuge
.@PSBJ: "King County continued to funnel wealth outward after the pandemic.
"A net exporter of earning power, the county lost $9.12 billion in adjusted gross income when 68,606 tax filers moved out between the 2022 and 2023 tax years, according to most recently available IRS data ...
"Looking at wealth migration beyond the Seattle area, Washington saw a net loss of 8,291 filers with $547.8 million in AGI between 2022 and 2023. That was one year after the state’s 7% capital gains tax took effect."