Justices weigh effort to balance Washington state’s tax code
An effort to balance what is considered the nation’s most regressive state tax code came before the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday, with justices hearing arguments about whether they should overturn a prohibition on income taxes that dates to the 1930s. Washington is one of nine states without an income tax, and its heavy reliance on sales and fuel taxes to pay for schools, roads and other public expenses falls disproportionately on low-income residents. They pay at least six times more in taxes as a percentage of household income than the wealthiest residents do, according to lawmakers, and middle-income residents pay two to four times as much. Democrats in Olympia, led by Gov. Jay Inslee, sought to begin addressing that in 2021, when they enacted a 7% capital gains tax on the sale of stocks, bonds and other high-end assets, with exemptions for the first $250,000 each year and gains from sales of retirement accounts, real estate and certain small businesses. Continue reading at Associated Press. (Ted S. Warren)
WA may launch a cold-case unit for missing, murdered Indigenous people
Washington lawmakers are pushing ahead with a bill to establish a special cold-case unit for missing and murdered Indigenous people after pushback from some law enforcement officials who claimed the new task force could interfere with their work. House Bill 1177, requested by Attorney General Bob Ferguson, is sponsored by the 40th District’s Rep. Debra Lekanoff, who sits on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force at the Attorney General’s Office. According to data collected by the Attorney General’s Office, there are 2,200 unsolved homicides in Washington. Native American women make up nearly 5% of those, though they represent less than 2% of the state’s population. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Caean Couto)
State Sen. Salomon’s bill is best response to WA drug possession law
The Washington Supreme Court has pushed the state Legislature this year to create a permanent law governing the possession of controlled substances. This legislative session, two bills propose to change the current law, along with a Republican proposal from late last year that essentially reinstates the law the Supreme Court found unconstitutional. Both bills would make possession a gross misdemeanor. Under Salomon’s bill, if a person completes the substance-use treatment prior to their conviction being entered, the court would be required to dismiss the charge. An evaluator trained in clinical substance treatment would recommend the type and length of treatment, not a judge. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)
Associated Press
Justices weigh effort to balance Washington state’s tax code
Columbian
Point in Time Count provides snapshot of homelessness in Clark County
Vancouver to revise urban forestry plan as it aims for equity, climate goals
Everett Herald
County to pay $1.9 million over Everett man’s fatal shooting by deputy
School program gives Scriber Lake teens class credits — and paychecks
State to pay $600K over psychologist’s harassment at Monroe prison
The Facts Newspaper
Important Update for Social Equity License Applicants: Maps
High Country News
This Washington experiment could rebuild eroding coastlines
The Inlander
High schoolers urge Washington lawmakers to eliminate gender-based pricing discrimination (Dhingra)
News Tribune
Renowned Washington artist named to create likeness of this Indigenous leader for Capitol
Tacoma police want to stop hate crimes. Here’s its plan and how businesses can help
Editorial: WA must finally address mental health delays in jails. The cruelty is staggering
Olympian
WA Supreme Court hears first oral arguments in capital gains tax case
Mental health hospital in NE Lacey on hold after partner pulls out
Bipartisan bills introduced to WA legislature to limit public records lawsuits (Springer, Walen, Pollet)
Seattle Times
Washington traffic safety is ‘a crisis that we can’t ignore,’ lawmakers say (Liias, Lovick)
Ending homelessness in King County will cost billions, regional authority says
Editorial: State Sen. Salomon’s bill is best response to WA drug possession law (Salomon, Robinson)
Spokesman Review
State Supreme Court hears capital gains tax arguments in hearing
KING 5 TV (NBC)
This Washington study might make you think twice about your makeup choices
Washington Attorney General sues Providence hospitals over ‘unfair’ medical billing practices
Department of Health approves license for Lynnwood opioid center
Washington legislature eyes free school lunch for all students
KNKX Public Radio
AI helps scientists better understand wildfire emissions
KUOW Public Radio
WA could expand resources for solving cold cases with Indigenous victims
Q13 TV (FOX)
State leaders hope bipartisan effort saves lives, increases traffic safety in Washington (Lovick, Liias, Shewmake, Frame, Hunt, Reed, Mena)
Crosscut
WA may launch a cold-case unit for missing, murdered Indigenous people (Lekanoff)
