Politics Free college is coming for WA families making under $50K A new plan approved by the Legislature will soon provide free tuition to low income families — guaranteed. by Melissa Santos / May 7, 2019
Politics Last-minute tax on big banks ‘very disrespectful’ of public process, critics say Washington Democrats are getting heat for agreeing to include a last-minute tax bill in the state budget — before anyone had even seen it. by Melissa Santos / May 2, 2019
Politics 'This is a civil rights moment': Behind the Legislature's decision to reverse WA's affirmative action ban A new class of lawmakers in Olympia made I-1000 a priority. Bluffing, brinkmanship and good timing helped get it passed. by Melissa Santos / May 1, 2019
Politics WA lawmakers reverse affirmative action ban, pass budget and school-levy changes Legislators narrowly beat the clock to pass a budget and changes to local school-district levies Sunday. They also passed I-1000, to reverse a ban on affirmative action. by Melissa Santos / April 28, 2019
Politics Democrats in Olympia appear to say ‘no’ to capital gains tax At this point, the revenue proposal isn’t included in Washington lawmakers’ final budget deal. by Melissa Santos / April 26, 2019
Politics Olympia’s culture of secrecy reveals itself — again At WA's capitol, rushed budget votes and tight-lipped lawmakers have become a pattern. Some say the public loses. by Melissa Santos / April 26, 2019
Politics WA’s next Speaker of the House will 'almost certainly' be a woman Seattle’s Frank Chopp is stepping down after 20 years as House speaker. So far, women are the ones lining up to permanently replace him. by Melissa Santos / April 26, 2019
Politics Teens caught sexting in WA will no longer be treated as criminals Teens who send nude selfies will no longer face felony sex charges that carry a requirement to register as a sex offender. by Melissa Santos / April 24, 2019
Politics WA nears a first: Offering a public option for health insurance Lawmakers have already moved to protect pre-existing conditions. Now they may make Washington the first state to provide a public health care option. by Melissa Santos / April 24, 2019
Politics Fight over safe injection site in Seattle threatens opioid treatment bill A last-minute attempt to pull funding from agencies that run safe-injection sites is complicating things in Olympia. by Melissa Santos / April 19, 2019