Bob Ferguson

Tensions between state workers and the governor’s office have been rising as contract negotiations have dragged on, and as Washington faces a large budget shortfall.

As political observers eye a potential Democratic supermajority in Washington's state Legislature in the coming years, some ask how that would affect how laws are passed.

Gov. Bob Ferguson is suspending the enforcement of some state laws to help thousands recover from devastating fires. He announced the change in Spokane on Monday.

Hedge fund founder Brian Heywood and his conservative interest group Let’s Go Washington have lead the repeal effort, while supporters have launched a campaign to save the tax.

The order, issued Thursday, is the latest in a long-running fight between Washington state officials and GEO Group, the private contractor that owns and operates the federal facility.

Let’s Go Washington has been lobbying support for the income tax repeal effort, collecting far more than the 300,000 signatures required to put an initiative to voters.

State officials are projecting a budget shortfall of nearly $500 million in the next year, as the governor signals an unwillingness to create new taxes to close that gap.

A nonprofit land developer recently unveiled almost 20 condos it will sell below market rate. State leaders say the model is promising and should be replicated elsewhere.

In Washington, many individual public schools have cellphone policies, but there is no broad ban coming from the state. Some educators have been pushing for one.

Starting June 11, House Bill 2105 will require employers to give workers at least five business days’ notice that any federal agency is auditing their I-9 forms or any other worker records.