Articles written by Aspen Anderson
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Building trust in law enforcement a key goal, Lovick says
Sen. John Lovick describes himself as a Black man with brown skin who wore a blue uniform for a combined 37 years as a former state trooper and Snohomish County Sheriff. "Not... — Updated 4/9/2024
Officers soon will be allowed to work part time
Washington remains 51st in the nation for police officers per capita, and one answer to that problem might be allowing officers to work part-time. SB 5424, sponsored by Sen. John... — Updated 4/9/2024
Blending education and technology a goal for Wellman
On the last Monday morning of the 2024 legislative session, Washington State Sen. Lisa Wellman's office brimmed with sunlight, an early peek at spring, as she sipped tea from a... — Updated 3/22/2024
Parental authority initiative approved, but concerns linger
The "Parent's right to know," a citizen-led initiative regarding parental authority over kids in public schools, will become law in June. While the measure won wide bipartisan... — Updated 3/18/2024
Voters to decide fate of state's climate act
The debate over how Washington reduces greenhouse gasses is headed for a showdown in November. To supporters, The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is a "gold standard" environmental... — Updated 3/18/2024
New ferries to bolster fleet still years away
Washington's ferry system is in jeopardy. It is struggling to meet the demands of its routes, and officials say it may be three to four years before any new ferry can go into... — Updated 3/11/2024
Legislature approves ban on state income tax
An initiative prohibiting imposition of a state income tax was approved March 5 by the state Legislature. "This is a great day for everyone in Washington," said Rep. Jim Walsh,... — Updated 3/6/2024
Effort to improve ballot rejection rates passes unanimously
Washington State is recognized for its effective voting processes, but officials say too many ballots are rejected because signatures don't match. "I think we can do a lot better... — Updated 3/6/2024
A bill seeks reduction of lead in cookware
Parents shouldn’t have to worry that the pots and pans they cook in could be poisoning their kids, say scientists and legislators, and a bill proposed in the state Legislature would make sure that is true. HB 1551 limits the p... — Updated 3/4/2024
Bill would allow alcohol in adult establishments
Washington currently has the fewest adult entertainment establishments per capita in the country. The reason? They are not allowed to serve alcohol. But if a bill in the state... — Updated 2/28/2024
Cancer diagnosis redirects Sen. Rebecca Saldaña's energy this legislative session
In the mainly white, buttoned down, business suit environment that is the Washington State Legislature, Sen. Rebecca Saldaña stands out. The Seattle Democrat swapped heels for... — Updated 2/28/2024
Crowd demands hearing on citizen initiatives
A sea of red, white and blue covered the Capitol steps as hundreds of Washingtonians proudly waved American flags and demanded hearings on six initiatives that would roll back... — Updated 2/28/2024
State proposes pesticide ban despite current research
Neonicotinoid pesticides are known for their harmful effects on the nervous systems of insects and a proposal in the state Legislature calls for banning them for household use. “About ⅓ of our agricultural sector needs pol... — Updated 2/24/2024
Budget questions swirl around possible repeal of climate act
Money to expand and upgrade the state’s ferry fleet will be included in this year’s supplemental budget, but lawmakers warn funding could go away if voters choose to repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). “If the CCA is repealed,... — Updated 2/24/2024
Foster moms protest the increase in child fatalities
By Aspen Anderson Washington State Journal As the prevalence of fentanyl rises, so too does the frequency of critical incidents related to parental substance abuse among foster chil... — Updated 2/21/2024
Three of the six citizen initiatives will be granted hearings
Three citizen-led initiatives will receive hearings in this session of the Legislature, said Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane, and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma. The Legislature will debate I-2113 on... — Updated 2/21/2024
Task force proposed to study impacts of artificial intelligence
Some fear Artificial Intelligence (AI) might open a dark chapter to a dystopian future. Others say the progress it promises is virtually unlimited. To find a balance among those... — Updated 2/12/2024
Public safety must be a priority, legislators say
Public safety should be a top priority for this year's legislative session, Gov. Jay Inslee and bipartisan state legislators said on the eve of the 2024 legislative session. "We... — Updated 2/12/2024
Minimum age of 25 proposed for high-THC cannabis
To protect young people from the dangers of high-strength cannabis, two bills have been proposed in this year’s Washington State Legislature. SB 6220, recently passed in the Senate, establishes the minimum purchase age for h... — Updated 2/12/2024
Inslee reflects in his final year as governor
On the second level of the white and gray marbled Capitol building stands the Governor's office, guarded by a State Patrol trooper stationed outside. On the interior walls are... — Updated 2/12/2024
Legislation would impose fines for untreated sewage discharge
A proposal to fine counties and cities when untreated sewage is released into Puget Sound is part of an effort to save dwindling salmon runs. The bill, proposed by Rep. J.T.... — Updated 2/7/2024
Legislature debates reducing legal limit for blood alcohol level
To curb traffic fatalities, lawmakers are proposing reducing the legal limit for driving while intoxicated. SB 5002 amends the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for driving a... — Updated 2/7/2024
Mandatory process proposed to review complaints about school library books
A mandatory process to guide school districts should be required when protests erupt over books that deal candidly with sexual preferences and gender identity. While proponents of... — Updated 2/2/2024
End to daylight saving time in the sights of "Ditch the Switch" advocates
Washingtonians may lose their cherished ultra-late-night sunsets in the summer if Washington state opts for permanent Pacific Standard Time (PST). "If Congress had acted, we would... — Updated 1/30/2024
Jaywalking laws too severe, critics say
Taking cues from California, there's a push to lighten up on jaywalking fines-a move that hits the headlines for its impact on both the homeless community and Black pedestrians. In... — Updated 1/30/2024
Diaper changing stations for dads proposed
Diaper changing stations traditionally were placed only in women's bathrooms, and Alexandra Johnson, a mother of two from Snoqualmie, thinks that should change. “What are the implications for our children when they see that mom i... — Updated 1/26/2024
Tribal members confront fentanyl crisis
Tribal members in Washington State are four times more likely to overdose and die on opioids than the state average, and advocates are pushing for state programs to address the... — Updated 1/24/2024
Survivors speak out against child marriage
Twenty women sporting wedding gowns and lustrous veils, with chains around their wrists and tape over their mouths, gathered in protest of Washington State law that allows children... — Updated 1/22/2024
Trump to stay on primary ballot
By Mary Murphy and Aspen Anderson Washington State Journal It was still dark outside when people with MAGA hats and anti-Trump signs gathered outside the entrance of the Thurston... — Updated 1/22/2024
Students push bill to bring overdose-reversal drug to all schools
Concerned about drug overdoses among teenagers, Lake Washington High School seniors Theodore Meek, Joanna Lymberis, Olivia Milstein, Sophia Lymberis and Reilly Jones transformed a... — Updated 1/22/2024
AG Ferguson files lawsuit to stop Kroger-Albertson merger worth $24.6 billion
Kroger and Albertsons claim a proposed merger worth 24.6 billion will result in better prices for grocery shoppers, but many fear food prices will go up and jobs could be lost as... — Updated 1/17/2024
Shift to even-year local elections proposed to boost voter turnout
Low turnouts for local elections are leading some to advocate for moving those contests to even numbered years alongside national races. "Young people are part of the communities... — Updated 1/17/2024
Newhouse building rises on Olympia's capitol campus
Facing health and safety hazards and experiencing overcrowding, in May 2023 the original Irving R. Newhouse Building on the capitol campus in Olympia was entirely demolished and... — Updated 1/15/2024
Victims push for legislation against police deception in interrogations
Amanda Knox, the Seattle resident who spent nearly four years in an Italian prison for a murder she did not commit, offered heartfelt testimony Jan. 8 in favor of a bill that would... — Updated 1/11/2024
