Local Politics

Politics Inslee signs Facebook job password bill Inslee signs Facebook job password bill
By MANUEL VALDES Associated Press Published: May 22, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT
Washington became the fifth state this year to sign into law protections of social media passwords at the workplace and job interviews.
Politics Senate majority names 33 bills for budget talks Senate majority names 33 bills for budget talks
By MIKE BAKER, Associated Press Published: May 17, 2013 at 3:12 PM PDT
As lawmakers wrap up their first week of a special legislative session, Senate majority leaders have asked that more than 30 bills be considered as part of the budget discussions.
Politics Oregon bill would legalize medical pot retailers Oregon bill would legalize medical pot retailers
By Associated Press Published: May 17, 2013 at 12:07 PM PDT
Oregon legislators are considering a bill to legalize and license medical marijuana retailers, calling it a step toward reining in abuses of the state's 15-year-old effort to allow people to use pot for therapy.
Politics State releases draft rules for growing, selling legal marijuana State releases draft rules for growing, selling legal marijuana (Video)
By KOMO Staff Published: May 16, 2013 at 1:37 PM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2013 at 5:56 PM PDT
The state released preliminary draft rules Thursday on the emerging recreational marijuana market, covering an array of topics ranging from how pot should be grown and tested for quality assurance to what types of security should be required at state-licensed pot businesses.
Politics State lawmakers look to make recall process easier State lawmakers look to make recall process easier
By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 9:57 AM PDT
Washington lawmakers are considering ways to make it easier for citizens to recall elected officials, holding a work session Wednesday that explored the hurdles people face when they try to pursue such a campaign.
Politics State Senate committee OKs tougher impaired driving law
By RACHEL LA CORTE Associated Press Published: May 14, 2013 at 6:28 PM PDT
A Senate committee on Tuesday advanced a bill to make changes to the state's impaired driving laws, including making driving under the influence a felony on the fourth conviction, rather than the current law that has it at five within 10 years.
Politics Obama health law may lower rates for some state residents Obama health law may lower rates for some state residents
By MIKE BAKER, Associated Press Published: May 14, 2013 at 12:28 PM PDT
Some Washington residents may see lower insurance premiums under President Barack Obama's health care law, with proposed plans released Tuesday countering concerns expressed by the insurance industry just a year ago.
Politics Special session kicks off to address projected state deficit Special session kicks off to address projected state deficit
By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Published: May 13, 2013 at 11:13 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 1:17 PM PDT
Washington lawmakers are returning to the Capitol on Monday for a special legislative session to address a projected budget deficit of more than $1.2 billion for the next two-year budget, plus a court-required increase in funding for the state's education system.
Politics State audit calls for automatic background checks State audit calls for automatic background checks
By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP, Associated Press Published: May 7, 2013 at 3:02 PM PDT
A new state audit is calling for automatic notifications when someone like a foster parent or childcare worker is suspected of committing a crime any time after they've already passed an initial background check.
Politics Seattle PD loosens pot, tattoo rules for new recruits Seattle PD loosens pot, tattoo rules for new recruits
By Michael Harthorne Published: May 7, 2013 at 10:26 AM PDT
While you probably won't see officers with Mike-Tyson facial tattoos smoking joints while on bike patrol, the Seattle Police Department has loosened some of its regulations for new recruits in an effort to employ officers who better reflect the community they serve.