State Government

State Government

Key Statehouse Deadlines Halt Dozens of Bills With Local Implications for Southwest Washington

Dozens of bills failed to advance before a key legislative deadline in Olympia, leaving homelessness policy, child welfare reforms, firearm safety measures and other proposals off the table for 2026 — with notable implications for communities in Cowlitz County.

Source: The Reflector

The Feed

Feb 19, 2026

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State Government

Legislative Deadlock Leaves Key Child Welfare Proposals Stalled in Olympia

Bipartisan negotiations over how Washington should respond to child endangerment linked to parental drug use have stalled, leaving Cowlitz County caseworkers and families without anticipated policy updates.

Source: The Reflector

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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State Government

Oregon Capitol Tension Over Gun Bill Raises Questions About Legislative Conduct

A tense exchange between two Oregon Democratic lawmakers during debate over Measure 114 implementation has prompted a formal complaint and raised regional questions about legislative conduct and gun policy implications.

Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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State Government

What Oregon’s Proposed Estate Tax Overhaul Could Mean for Southwest Washington

A proposed overhaul to Oregon’s estate tax could reduce how many estates owe taxes while increasing rates on the largest inheritances — a shift with potential impacts for Southwest Washington residents who own Oregon property or manage cross-border estates.

Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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State Government

Washington Senate Approves Millionaires’ Income Tax Bill After Prolonged Debate

Washington’s Senate has approved a contentious income tax bill targeting million‑dollar earners, with local implications and a divided vote that included dissent from a Battle Ground‑area senator.

Source: The Reflector

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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State Government

State Reforms to Keep Families Together Raise Safety Questions in Southwest Washington

A new KUOW investigation, summarized by OPB, finds child deaths have risen among Washington families previously investigated by CPS. The statewide reforms behind the trend apply directly to Cowlitz County, raising urgent questions about local child safety practices.

Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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State Government

Washington Senate Advances Bill to Expand Tuition Aid at Private Colleges

The Washington Senate has approved SB 5828, a bill to increase tuition scholarships for students at private colleges—changes that could meaningfully affect affordability for Cowlitz County students.

Source: The Reflector

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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State Government

Washington Senate Bill 5973 Stalls Out, Leaving Initiative Process Unchanged

Washington’s Senate Bill 5973, a proposal to tighten rules on statewide initiatives, has expired without a vote—leaving Washington’s existing citizen initiative system unchanged and maintaining local access to the ballot process.

Source: The Reflector

The Feed

Feb 18, 2026

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State Government

State Lawmakers Eye Climate Commitment Act Funds to Address Budget Shortfall

Washington lawmakers are considering redirecting Climate Commitment Act revenue to help close a major budget gap, a move that could affect state-supported projects in Cowlitz County and across Southwest Washington.

Source: The Columbian

The Feed

Feb 17, 2026

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State Government

Washington House Advances Bill Placing Attorney General Oversight on Local Redistricting

The Washington House has passed a bill that would require Attorney General approval before local jurisdictions—including cities, counties, and school districts—can adopt new election district maps, a change that could affect future redistricting in Cowlitz County.

Source: The Reflector

The Feed

Feb 17, 2026

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Columbia Countercurrent

Key Statehouse Deadlines Halt Dozens of Bills With Local Implications for Southwest Washington

Legislative Deadlock Leaves Key Child Welfare Proposals Stalled in Olympia

Oregon Capitol Tension Over Gun Bill Raises Questions About Legislative Conduct

What Oregon’s Proposed Estate Tax Overhaul Could Mean for Southwest Washington

Washington Senate Approves Millionaires’ Income Tax Bill After Prolonged Debate

State Reforms to Keep Families Together Raise Safety Questions in Southwest Washington

Washington Senate Advances Bill to Expand Tuition Aid at Private Colleges

Washington Senate Bill 5973 Stalls Out, Leaving Initiative Process Unchanged

State Lawmakers Eye Climate Commitment Act Funds to Address Budget Shortfall

Washington House Advances Bill Placing Attorney General Oversight on Local Redistricting

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