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A bust of George Washington lies tipped over on the third floor of the Washington state Capitol building in Olympia, after a vandal broke in and caused damage on Sunday night. (Photo courtesy of Department of Enterprise Services)

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Toll could be nearly $1M from vandalism in WA State Capitol

Damage at the Washington state Capitol from vandalism last month could cost nearly $1 million.

Washington’s pickleball license plate. Courtesy of Seattle Metro Pickleball Association

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Pickleball gets its own Washington license plate

Washington served up a new license plate Nov. 19, honoring the state sport of pickleball.

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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Downbeat outlook persists in WA’s final budget forecast of the year

Washington state budget writers got a mild dose of good news on Nov. 18, but are still looking…

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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What’s next with investing WA’s long-term care fund in stocks

Voters decided this month to allow payroll taxes collected for Washington’s new long-term care program to be invested…

Washington state Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, makes remarks during a Washington State Budget and Policy Center panel discussion on Nov. 12, 2025. Photo courtesy of Washington State Budget and Policy Center

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Legislature’s ‘Revenue Queen’ prepares for 2026 tax battles

Democratic state Sen. Noel Frame traces her interest in tax policy to her time as a teenager in…

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to Andi Smith of the Ballmer Group after the announcement of a major new philanthropic donation to fund early childhood education on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at the Denise Louie Education Center in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

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Philanthropy will donate millions for free preschool in WA

The Ballmer Group on Nov. 12 committed hundreds of millions of dollars for free preschool in Washington, a…

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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Security company drops lawsuit over new WA tax

A security company has dropped its lawsuit over Washington’s new sales tax on services weeks after filing it.

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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Fight over counting mail-in ballots after Election Day will go before Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday took up a Republican-backed challenge to counting mail-in ballots received after Election…

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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WA’s budget crunch affects lawmakers’ wish lists

With the state strapped for cash, Democrats’ chief budget writer in the Washington Senate has told colleagues there’s…

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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WA makes pitch to feds for $1B in rural health funding

Washington is making its bid for a billion dollars in new federal funding for rural health care.

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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Expected slide in WA unemployment trust fund balance could trigger new tax

Washington businesses would need to shoulder roughly $700 million in additional taxes in a few years unless the…

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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Voters to decide if WA Cares tax dollars can be invested in stock market

The first item on every Washington voter’s ballot is a proposal to add a few lines to the…

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Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia.

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WA Democrats look at imposing income tax on higher earners

Democratic state senators are eyeing an income tax on millionaires as they seek to overcome Washington’s persisting budget…