Articles written by Joseph Claypoole
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Curbside alcohol service proposed for extension
People will continue to be able to get a mixed drink with their takeout food until 2023 under a bill now moving to the state Senate for consideration. Delivery and curbside/takeout service of alcoholic beverages and spirits has... — Updated 3/26/2021
Proposed phone tax will pay for suicide prevention
Connecting people considering suicide with immediate help is the aim of a proposed law that funds a 988 emergency number with a new tax on phone lines. HB 1477, introduced by Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, is aimed at tackling... — Updated 3/26/2021
All counties moving to Phase 3
All counties are eligible for Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington reopening plan on March 22. Inslee made the announcement March 11 following a downward trend in COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations across the... — Updated 3/26/2021
College Bound Scholarship gets boost
The College Bound Scholarship for Washington students is being reworked to reach more students across the state. Currently, students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches during the 7th or 8th grade sign a form with their g... — Updated 3/26/2021
Clean fuels bill approved by the House
A low carbon fuel bill passed the state House of Representatives Feb. 27 in a 52-46 vote with every Republican voting no. Its next stop is the Senate. The bill directs the Department of Ecology to institute rules that require... — Updated 3/10/2021
Suicide prevention team idea moves forward
A Washington Youth Suicide Review Team is one step closer to reality after legislators passed substitute HB 1354 out of committee in a 11-2 vote. Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, D-Goldendale, the prime sponsor of the bill, saw the bill... — Updated 3/3/2021
Year-round school may be coming to Washington
The summer months are coming to an end, children are heading back to school, but they are experiencing summer learning loss and now require remedial education. Every year, teachers across the US say the first month of school after... — Updated 2/24/2021
New bill to target price gougers and protect consume
Face masks, $200. Hand sanitizer, $90. Peace of mind? Priceless. Attorney General Bob Ferguson proposed an emergency action bill that would prohibit excessive price increases during a state of emergency. Under SB 5191, any item... — Updated 2/24/2021
Inslee defends regional reopening plan
Gov. Jay Inslee defended his plan to phase in the opening of businesses by region, saying he knows it goes too slow for some people. "Everybody can have a rational argument against... — Updated 2/17/2021
New suicide review team proposed
The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating a problem already plaguing youth in Washington -- suicide. Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, says HB 1354 is key to finding out why rates of suicide are climbing in Washington and on how to... — Updated 2/17/2021
Navy gets approval for state park training
Training for Navy SEALs in state parks was approved by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in a 4-3 vote Jan. 28. The approval amended the Navy's proposal,... — Updated 2/10/2021
$25.8 billion transportation plan hikes gas tax 18 cents
Washington drivers will pay an extra 18 cents per gallon in gas taxes if a new 16-year, $25.8 billion transportation package backed by House Democrats is approved. The gas tax includes a 3 cent tax increase on diesel as well as a... — Updated 2/10/2021
Increased participation might be 'silver lining' in online state legislative session
This might be the most accessible Legislative session in history, thanks to online tools provided by the state. McKenna Troje, 22, a graduate student at the University of Washington in Seattle, participated in a one-person... — Updated 2/3/2021
Inslee lowers age of those eligible for vaccines
Just when residents of Washington will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine depends on how many doses the federal government delivers and how many the state can administer in a day. Currently, the state is receiving 100,000 doses per... — Updated 1/28/2021
Inslee centers inaugural speech on COVID-19 recovery
Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his third inaugural speech Wednesday, praising Washington residents for their resiliency and striking an optimistic note for the future. "We have seen rema... — Updated 1/21/2021
Security increased for Legislature's opening day
Increased security is now expected around the Capitol building in Olympia on Jan. 11 for the start of the 2021 Legislative session. The decision to add security follows the... — Updated 1/14/2021
