Washington State Budget

52 Stories

Rent limits, tax hikes head to governor as Washington lawmakers end session

In the session's final days, the Democratic majority settled on a deal for new rent caps, approved a gun permit requirement, and signed off on unemployment benefits for striking workers. The state budget passed with a slate of new tax hikes -- and without a single Republican vote in support.
- Jeanie Lindsay
Could Washington state be on the brink of fully funding special education?

The House on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 5263, which boosts special education funding multipliers for students in pre-K through 12th grade and eliminates the state's 16% cap on special education funding.
- Sami West
New Washington Public Lands chief defends pause on logging ‘almost old-growth forests’

Can Washington state hold off harvesting older forests in the face of a projected $12 billion budget deficit without impacting local governments and school districts that get money from those timber sales?
- Libby Denkmann
'We are at a crisis.’ Seattle Eastside schools call for increased state funding

The legislative session kicks off next week, and school districts statewide are pushing for a boost in funding. Five districts on Seattle's Eastside joined forces this week to bring their issues to lawmakers.
- Sami West
Washington voters agree — tax the wealthy

The election dust has settled in Washington state and for the first time in over a decade residents have overwhelmingly voted in favor of taxing the wealthy.
- Teo Popescu
Capital gains tax receipts in Washington state tumble

Washington state officials report $433 million in payments in April, down from $786 million in 2023. Lawmakers may need to address the decline.
- Washington State Standard
Washington schools chief calls for changes to better fund special education

Washington’s chief of public schools wants the state to fully fund special education this legislative session.
- Sami West
Navigating the maze that rules Olympia (and your life)

How familiar are you with the Washington Legislature? The state's governing body adjourned in April with a new budget and hundreds of policy changes. Find out how bills become laws and what happened during the session in this choose-your-own-adventure experience from KUOW.
- Jeanie Lindsay
What's so special about WA's upcoming special session?

The 2023 regular legislative session may be over, but lawmakers will be heading back to Olympia soon for a special session.
- Angela King
WA lawmakers pass key policy deadline, head into final week of session

Time is winding down to get bills onto the governor's desk, and the clock is ticking on the big issue at hand this year: the passing of the next two-year budget.
- Angela King

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