The state Department of Veterans Affairs has announced its preferred site for its Tri-Cities State Veterans Cemetery: a 140-acre parcel in the Horn Rapids area of Richland, off Highway 240. 

Democrats in the Washington Legislature released a budget deal Wednesday balanced with one-time maneuvers, siphoning of rainy day reserves and slashing of child care funding.

Port of Benton commissioners face recall in wake of investigation revealing Commissioner Scott Keller’s violations of state law and port policies. Citizens allege nearly $1.8 million in lost revenue due to improper leasing and gifting deals. Recall petitions call for removal of all three commissioners. Legal claims of retaliation have been made by the suspended executive director and former CFO. Meanwhile, the port has formed a committee to address long-term issues at Richland Airport following the investigation.

A new survey from the Association of Washington Business finds 44% of Washington employers are considering moving their personal residence out of state, with more also exploring relocating their businesses. As lawmakers debate new taxes in Olympia, the findings underscore rising anxiety about Washington’s economic competitiveness.

It’s a tale of two economies in Benton and Franklin counties based on the latest taxable retail sales data recently released by state revenue officials.

One of the opponents of a proposed wind farm south and west of the Tri-Cities claims the state attorney general’s office left public comments opposing the project out of records transmitted to the Washington Supreme Court.

It took over 24 hours of grinding floor debate, but Democrats in the Washington House approved an income tax Tuesday on households earning over $1 million a year.

Democrats have the votes to push through their proposed 9.9% income tax on household earnings over $1 million a year. For Republicans at this point, the main way to oppose the policy, which they despise, is to saddle the bill with many amendments. 

Richland School District is seeking feedback from its community on future facilities a little more than a year after voters rejected a $314 million bond to build a new high school and other projects. 
 

As it stands, data center operators in most Washington counties do not pay the 6.5% sales tax on server equipment. That equipment is typically replaced every three to five years, and current law exempts sales tax on purchasing new or replacing old server equipment. It also doesn’t apply sales tax to labor hired to install the equipment.