politics
Washington lawmakers loosen restrictions on police chases
The House and Senate agreed that pursuit is allowable when there's reasonable suspicion a violent offense has occurred, or could.
Joseph O’Sullivan
Joseph O’Sullivan is Crosscut’s former state politics reporter. Before joining Crosscut in 2022, O’Sullivan spent nearly eight years as Olympia bureau reporter for The Seattle Times. Before that, he c
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politics
WA House passes bill to make drug possession a misdemeanor
The amended measure mandates a less-severe punishment than previous versions and drops a requirement for pre-arrest substance-abuse services.
politics
WA Senate passes "missing middle" bill to increase housing density
House Bill 1110 is one of several proposals this year intended to ease an affordability crisis across Washington due to a statewide shortage.
politics
How Washington plans to spend money from the new carbon-cap law
Lawmakers are looking to invest revenue from the Climate Commitment Act in electric buses, ferries and more clean-energy projects around the state.
politics
Washington Senate passes ban on assault-style rifles
Perhaps lawmakers' strongest action on firearms regulations to date, the proposal needs one more vote in the House before going to the desk of Gov. Inslee.