Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 1 - 5 of 5
OLYMPIA — House Democrats are rallying around a proposal to tax the state’s billionaires. House Bill 1406 would impose a 1% tax on intangible assets — such as money or stocks — on people whose wealth exceeds $1 billion. The state Department of Revenue estimates the tax would generate close to $5 billion from 2023-2025 and affect fewer than 100 state residents. Revenue raised would fund tax relief for low-income individuals and contribute to the state general fund. The lion’s share would come from the state’s most wealthy individuals...
OLYMPIA — Reeling from a December data breach that allowed hackers to access the personal information of roughly 1.6 million state residents, lawmakers are working with Gov. Jay Inslee to establish a new office to protect computers. Sponsored by Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, Senate Bill 5432 would establish a new Office of Cyber Security. Officials from the Office of the Governor said Inslee requested the bill in response to the December data breach. The data was in the possession of the State Auditor’s Office, which was investigating une...
OLYMPIA — A set of three bills designed to keep essential functions of the state running during the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergencies passed the state legislature unanimously Jan. 22. They are: • House Bill 1056 establishes that governing bodies may meet remotely in an emergency and requires public access • House Bill 1095 exempts businesses from paying taxes on emergency assistance grants from the state or federal government • House Bill 1007 allows social workers to receive their training virtually All three were brought forward...
OLYMPIA — A different take on Gov. Jay Inslee’s capital gains tax, less broad and friendlier to small family-owned businesses, will likely be introduced later in this year’s legislative session. “We are considering proposals similar to what the House has considered in years past,” said Rep. Noel Frame, D-Seattle. “So, for instance, the filing threshold has been higher in the past House versions, so that's one major difference. Also what we have had the last several years is an exemption for bona fide family owned businesses.” Frame emphasi...
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed budget for the upcoming biennium calls for $570 million in new education spending, but it’s not enough for some parents and educators. They expressed frustration and claim the governor’s budget does not adequately fund additional transportation and special education needs fueled by COVID-19. The governor proposed $400 million for schools to expand learning opportunities and potentially add instructional time for students. The budget includes $79 million to support broadband connections for families across...
