Government

Curious when all WA’s new taxes will kick in? There’s a calendar for that

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Now that the dust is settling after the short 2026 legislative session, a conservative tax policy think tank has compiled a multiyear breakdown of when the slew of new state taxes and handful of tax cuts go in and out of effect.

State officials seek comment on potential energy impacts of data centers

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Have thoughts on how data centers could impact electric resources and consumers in Washington state? State officials want to hear from you.

Washington state awards $56M for child care facility projects

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington is pouring $55.8 million into early learning facilities across the state, including $3.6 million in Pasco.

Ferguson appoints new Benton-Franklin Superior Court judge

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A career public servant who has spent his entire legal career in the region will be the newest member of the bench for Benton-Franklin Superior Court.

Work underway to create new WA housing agency

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington boasts 221 housing-related programs across 30 state agencies.

But despite all of these initiatives, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck thinks the state is still going in the wrong direction developing affordable housing.

“We’re not doing a very good job at all, because the hole is getting deeper,” Heck said last week.

Heck is part of a group of elected officials, state agency staff, tribal members, local government advocates and developers tasked with devising ideas for Washington to set up a new state Department of Housing.

Trump proposal to streamline jobs program funding would cut funding to states

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Tucked into President Donald Trump’s new budget request is a plan that could dramatically change — and, critics say, slash — how much money and help states provide to people needing jobs and training.

Federal funding for state energy projects to be restored

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Trump administration has dropped its appeal to a federal court ruling that blocked its cap on federal reimbursement for state energy programs, threatening projects ranging from energy efficiency and grid resilience to wildfire mitigation.

State labor association gives Mid-Columbia lawmakers low marks

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Labor organizers are calling the recent 2026 legislative session a success for workers and their families and calling out lawmakers who didn’t support their efforts.

Court battle ignites over Washington’s new income tax

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Opponents of Washington’s new income tax on high earners filed a lawsuit April 9, arguing the controversial law is unconstitutional and in conflict with nearly a century of state Supreme Court precedent.

Arts Center Task Force to lead Reach Museum amphitheater study

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Richland Public Facilities District, or RPFD, has selected the grassroots group that has worked for decades to establish a performing arts center in the Tri-Cities to study how an existing outdoor amphitheatre can better support community and cultural events.

Ben Franklin Transit CEO is out

ty@tcjournal.biz — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The board of the Tri-Cities' transit agency unanimously agreed April 9 to fire its embattled top administrator following an investigation into allegations of financial malfeasance.

‘Our new normal’: WA confronts another year of drought

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Mid-Columbia senators say legislative session yielded few wins

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Mid-Columbia Republican state senators say the 2026 Washington legislative session delivered few wins for local businesses, agriculture and economic development projects, raising concerns about taxes, the state budget and regional priorities.

Farmers face tough row to hoe

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Farmers face a fourth consecutive year of drought, forcing tough decisions on irrigation, crop survival and water management for orchards and vineyards across the state.

Kennewick gives sewage a second life

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Kennewick is turning wastewater and sewage sludge into nutrient-rich Class A fertilizer using innovative greenhouse-based technology, creating a sustainable, revenue-generating solution for the city.

Federal funding hits record for Hanford, but billions more needed

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Hanford remains the nation’s most expensive and technically complex cleanup project, and delays, legal obligations and debates over how to treat tank waste – including whether to vitrify or grout certain wastes – mean the site could still take decades and tens of billions more to fully clean up.

Report: Port of Benton described as ‘immersed in chaos, confusion’

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

An HR consultant hired by the Port of Benton has delivered a scathing 28-page report on port operations, calling the organization “immersed in chaos, confusion and leadership neglect” and laying out sweeping recommendations for restructuring. Attorneys for the administrators vehemently dispute the report’s findings, with one calling it a “hit piece” and the other a “hatchet job.”

Pharmaceutical giants sue WA over new drug pricing law

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies sued Washington state, alleging a new law to tamp down prescription drug prices for hospitals won’t result in discounts for patients.

WA awards $7.3M in clean energy grants in Benton, Franklin counties

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

State officials recently announced funding for a slew of solar power projects along with a few other clean energy efforts in the Mid-Columbia.

More PNNL cuts possible under Trump’s proposed 2027 budget

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Research programs at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory may be facing more belt tightening if President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year is implemented.

Heywood asks WA Supreme Court to allow referendum effort on income tax

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Opponents of Washington’s new income tax asked the state Supreme Court on April 3 to allow them to pursue a referendum in hopes of giving voters a shot at repealing the controversial new law this November.

BFT leaders to review investigation findings

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Ben Franklin Transit’s board of directors will meet ahead of its regular meeting April 9 to review and discuss findings of a special investigation.

Highway preservation at center of new WA transportation budget

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The $16.6 billion supplemental budget expends about $1.2 billion more than the two-year transportation spending blueprint lawmakers approved last year. Under another bill, Washington will do more borrowing to cover added transportation spending.

New WA law drops barriers for homeless shelters, permanent supportive housing

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Communities across the state have pushed back to varying degrees to permitting homeless shelters and permanent supportive housing in their neighborhoods.

Income tax signed in Washington with a legal challenge close behind

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson on March 30 signed historic legislation creating an income tax, saying it is a critical step toward making the state’s system of taxation less regressive.

$9.3M in additional capital funding coming to Tri-Cities

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

HVAC replacements for schools and the Toyota Center, canal improvements and cleanup of a massive tire pile north of West Richland are among the capital projects that will receive state funding after being included in the Legislature’s supplemental capital budget.

Feds launch probe into Washington program to redress housing discrimination

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Ferguson signs law to undo WA estate tax increase enacted last year

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington will soon end its reign as the state with the nation’s highest estate tax.

Rounding out debate, Ferguson signs bill addressing retailers’ penny problem

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A new Washington state law offers a way to make change in an era without pennies.

Port to close north Pasco road to expand rail to industrial park

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Those relying on Railroad Avenue as part of their daily drive will need to take detours for the last few days of March as the Port of Pasco works toward a critical milestone for its Reimann Industrial Center.