washington legislature

On Wednesday, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law a bill that established overtime for the Ag community. The new law will step the hours per week need to trigger overtime until it hits 40 hours in early 2024. Colfax Republican Joe Schmick said for him, that Ag overtime legislation was the biggest win for the farming community during the virtual session ...

Over the weekend, Washington lawmakers approved a cap and trade bill, which opponents say will cost consumers more money and the state jobs. Colfax Representative Joe Schmick said there are a lot of exemptions, such as Ag fuel, but it may not be that way long after the bill is put into law ...

Over the weekend, Washington lawmakers approved a two-year state capital budget, House Bill 1080. Several farm focused projects across the state will get funding in the upcoming biennium, including: $4.2 million for Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District $300,000 for the Selah-Moxee Irrigation District $235,000 for the Yakima Valley Fair in Grandview $5 Million in Funding for East Low 22 ... Read

The farming community is encouraged to prepare now for the 2021 Washington legislative session which gets underway next month. Bre Elsey, Director of Government Relations for the Washington Farm Bureau, said there are several issues that should be of concern for the farming community; outside of the fact that the session will be conducted remotely ...

If she had one word to describe the 2019 Washington legislative session, the Washington Policy Center’s Pam Lewison would use the word: brutal.   She said lawmakers this go around appeared to have a very negative attitude towards farmers and the Ag industry in Washington.  Lewison ...

In the Washington state Legislature, Friday was the cutoff deadline to have bills clear committee allowing for a vote on the floor.  So, how have Republicans and Democrats worked together in Olympia so far this session?   “I think it’s below the level it was when the majority level caucus was running the senate," said Senate republican leader Mark Schoesler.  "It kept everyone a... Read

Last week, the Washington Legislature passed a slights property tax cut.  Under the $391 million plan, property owners will see a 30-cent cut to statewide property taxes next year, dropping to $2.40 per $1,000 of assessed value.   Under the plan, $935 million from the remaining property tax revenues will be diverted to a specified education account instead of going to the constitutionally-protecte

A North Central Washington representative has been honored for his work supporting the tree fruit industry.  Senator Brad Hawkins was named the 2017 Legislative Champion by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.  He introduced legislation this session to address challenges for growers presented by a 2015 court decision.  Hawkins’...

Much of the conversation about the new Washington Legislative session will be on education and the McCleary decision, but that’s the not the only focus.   Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler said the Hirst decision was a major blow to rural Washington.   “...