Washington Senate

Washington's new two-year state capital budget passed by the Legislature Sunday includes funding for key water-infrastructure projects throughout the eastern part of the state.  According to 9th District Senator Mark Schoesler and 13th District Senator Judy Warnick, the capital budget provides $69 million for the Columbia River Water Supply Development Program, of which $44 million is for the Odes

The state Department of Ecology is backing off, for the year, on a proposal to regulate wood-burning stoves sold in Washington and duplicate standards already imposed by federal regulation, that according to state Senator Shelly Short.  The Addy Republican noted if Senate Bill 5174 had moved forward, it would have limited stove options while driving up costs.   ...

Wednesday, Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison was confirmed by the Senate to continue leading WSDA.  Since Sandison took the position, WSDA has expanded support for local food systems, worked on strengthening plant and animal health programs and focused on enhancing food safety measures.  The WSD...

A Washington state senator is pushing to keep the four lower Snake River dams intact.  Senator Matt Boehnke said the dams are vital for agriculture, the economy and energy security.   "And really, at the end of the day, it keeps costs low in our environment that we're seeing the budget crisis in the state, we're having cost issues throughout. We want the ...

Washington state Senator Rebecca Saldaña has been elected by fellow Senate Democrats to chair of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.  The Democrat from Seattle succeeds Senator Karen Keiser, who is retiring after more than two decades of service in the Legislature.   “It is ...

Republican Assistant Minority Floor Leader Chris Corry of Yakima says his party was shut out of negotiations over.

Earlier this week, the Washington Senate approved two bills that focus on crop protection products.  Senate Bill 5143, which received a 49-0 vote in the Senate, would change the name and membership of the Commission on Pesticide Registration, adding a non-voting member from the Pacific Northwest EPA region.  ...

The state of Washington is in the early phases of the redistricting process, determining how state and congressional districts will be altered following the 2020 census. Washington senate minority leader John Braun said while many see redistricting as an issue for the more populated parts of the state, he said it’s important that the rural community is involved when districts are modified. He .

Legislation aimed at increasing meat processing and packing in Washington unanimously cleared the state Senate Tuesday. Senate Bill 5045, sponsored by Judy Warnick would make small and medium sized meat producers statewide eligible for support from a newly created Processing and Marketing Assistance Program ...

A bill supporters say will help Washington farmers reduce carbon in the atmosphere, all while improving soil health, was approved by the state Senate on Wednesday. But, paying for “carbon farming” can be challenging for producers who already operate on a thin profit margin. ...