State budget

Washington lawmakers have closed out the legislative session by adopting a $69 billion operating budget for the next two years. Lawmakers passed more than 450 bills during the session that ended Sunday.

Over the next two years, Washington State is likely to bring in less revenue than previously expected. But lawmakers say it's cause for caution, not necessarily concern.

Gov. Jay Inslee has moved up the timeline for lifting Washington's mask mandate to March 12. The announcement comes as lawmakers are in the final stretch of the legislative session. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins joined Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick to talk about the latest from the state capital.

Democrats in Olympia have some big spending ideas, and they want to let you do some tax-free spending later this year. It’s all part of their proposed updates to the state’s two-year budget. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins joined KNKX Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick to talk about the proposals.

Washington state’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program could hit a deficit as early as March, and there are concerns about long-term solvency following a significant increase in demand for the benefit that launched in 2020.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday proposed a host of efforts to address homelessness in the state, including a plan to help people stay in their homes, increasing emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing and expanding services for addiction or mental health issues.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday announced several climate related proposals for the next legislative session, including fully reinstating a plan to…

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says he has a plan to cut the number of unsheltered homeless people in the state by half in two years.The $300 million proposal…

Washington Senate Democrats on Friday proposed a capital gains tax that would fund a suite of tax reductions for low-income families, small businesses...

House Democrats in the state Legislature have proposed a nearly $53 million budget for the next two years, a plan that will rely on new revenue such as a…