News

Newsweek
Washington State Considers Novel Gun Violence Prevention Strategy by Protecting Vulnerable Adults

Washington State advanced a novel form of gun control Wednesday that could keep weapons out of the hands of sophisticated abusers. The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee in the state's House of Representatives held open hearings on several proposed measures, including a bill that would allow judges to order recipients of vulnerable adult protection orders to surrender their firearms. Read More

The Olympian
Thurston County leads count to get a ‘true, regional story’ of homelessness

It’s not easy to ask a stranger questions such as “Where did you sleep last night?” or “Do you have a disability?” But that’s the sort of information volunteers and officials collected during the annual Point-in-Time count, conducted Thursday in Thurston County and counties across the country, with the aim to gain a better understanding of an issue that tops many Washingtonians’ priority lists. Read More

Crosscut
‘It’s a crisis right now:’ Bills would let Washington cities raise more money to combat homelessness

With voters and lawmakers alike identifying homelessness as the top issue before Washington’s Legislature this year, several proposals at the state Capitol aim to let cities raise more money locally to tackle the problem. Where the plans diverge: whether access to the new tax option should be tied to certain conditions, such as cities promising to clear unauthorized encampments and banning safe injection sites. Read More

The Olympian
Clean energy, child care costs and housing crisis should be priorities for 2020 session

The House Democratic Caucus motto is “Putting People First.” That principle guides our work to pass laws and create programs to help Washington families thrive for generations to come. In recent years, we put people first by increasing K-12 funding by $13 billion, offering Washingtonians paid family and medical leave, investing $175 million in housing, making tuition far more affordable — or free — for working families, improving mental health care, and creating a long-term care benefits program. Read More