The washington state standard
The percentage of people without health insurance is growing
Republished from the Washington State Standard.
The washington state standard
WA Department of Social and Health Services eyes cuts, modernization for 2027
Secretary Angela Ramirez joins host Austin Jenkins on TVW’s “Inside Olympia”
Washington State Standard
Debate underlines deep divisions on what WA voters should do about income tax
Will Democrats lower the threshold? Will the rich leave? The debate over the ballot measure to repeal the tax is fueled by hypotheticals.
Elections
Anxiety is growing Trump may try to disrupt the midterm elections.
States are prepping.
WA state worker union OKs new contract with no pay hike
by Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard September 28, 2026 In a closely watched decision, Washington’s largest union of state government workers has ratified a new two-year contract that provides no pay raises but avoids takeaways on health care and other benefits. Members of the Washington Federation of State
Trees in coastal temperate rainforest spared from the chopping block
by Aspen Ford, Washington State Standard September 21, 2026 A grassroots organization has successfully raised enough money to spare 29 acres of trees on state forestland in the Northern Olympic Peninsula from being cut down, employing a new conservation method that also replaces timber revenue. The Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition
Amid uncertainty about mail-in ballots, WA leaders say they’re ready for what comes next
by Donna Gordon Blankinship, Washington State Standard September 11, 2026 While the state’s lawyers fight in court to repel the Trump administration’s repeated attacks against vote-by-mail, Washington’s election officials are drawing up contingency plans for the November election. Their main message to Washington’s 5
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
US Fish and Wildlife staff down more than a third nationwide
by Alex Baumhardt, Washington State Standard September 4, 2026 The number of people staffing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has dropped by 3,600 during President Donald Trump’s second term, according to federal data obtained by the nonprofit conservation group Center for Biological Diversity. Oregon, California, Alaska
The washington state standard
WA state workers stage walkout amid clash over pay demands
Thousands of public employees took part in the lunch hour action, which comes as their union negotiates new labor contracts ahead of an Oct. 1 deadline.
Washington State Standard
U.S. Supreme Court lifts pause on Trump mail-ballot order
by Ashley Murray, Washington State Standard August 24, 2026 WASHINGTON — With just over two months until the November midterms, the U.S. Supreme Court gave way Monday for President Donald Trump to have a hand in regulating mail-in ballots nationwide, a voting method he has falsely claimed is rife
The washington state standard
As WA caregiver union pushes for pay hike, state seeks wage freeze
Negotiations between the two sides will affect pay for about 80,000 workers and come as the state is grappling with budget trouble.
Washington State Standard
Egg facility inspections in WA still falling short of state requirements
by Aspen Ford, Washington State Standard July 30, 2026 Washington’s Department of Agriculture did not complete hundreds of mandated inspections at egg production and packing plants for the past two years, posing health risks to consumers, according to a new state audit. The agency says it lacks the staff