Washington State Standard

The facilities in Wenatchee and Seattle will be shuttered as part of a major reorganization over the coming year.

State Department of Health officials tried to inspect most recently on March 20, according to the agency. The GEO Group, which runs the detention center, turned them away.

Lawmakers took this year to close polluter loopholes in the state’s climate laws and advance a major bill to upgrade and expand the electrical grid.

Supporters say joint cap-and-trade auctions will help stabilize prices and drive down costs for businesses.

Democrats want to tax personal income over $1 million. Gov. Bob Ferguson says lawmakers’ initial plan doesn’t offer enough tax relief for lower earners and small businesses.

The bill drops it to 0.05%, and the state would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation. It still needs House approval.

The state legislation would allow cities and counties to tax the rentals to fund affordable housing.

Voters decided this month to allow payroll taxes collected for Washington’s new long-term care program to be invested in the stock market.

Voters were giving the go-ahead Tuesday for the state to make stock market investments with payroll taxes collected for Washington’s new long-term care program.

Voters will decide on the constitutional amendment this November. Supporters say investing the tax collected for WA Cares will help sustain it. Others worry about the risk.