Articles written by Cameron Sheppard
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Governor's plan unveiled to help workers, renters, small businesses during COVID-19 outbreak
Economic assistance to workers, renters and small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak will be provided by Governor Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 response plan. On March 16, Inslee mandated a two-week closure... — Updated 4/1/2020 Full story
Washington scrambles to boost supply of life-saving protective items for healthcare workers
Millions of N-95 masks and other types of personal protective equipment are being delivered to Washington State as public health and emergency response officials scramble to obtain the equipment needed to respond to the growing... — Updated 3/27/2020
Fallout from I-976: Senator balance transportation budget despite revenue shortfall
Facing a shortfall of $450 million, lawmakers patched together a budget in late February to fund highway maintenance, the Washington State Patrol and other transportation projects. The Senate Transportation Committee developed a pr... — Updated 3/6/2020
Vice President arrives with federal health experts to 'epicenter' of U.S. coronavirus outbreak
On the day Washington state recorded its 11th death from the COVID-19 virus, Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Pierce County to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee and state health... — Updated 3/5/2020
House passes bill to expand court-ordered gun confiscation
Courts could be one step closer to ordering people subject to vulnerable adult protection orders to surrender their firearms after the House voted 55 to 42 on Friday, Feb. 14 in favor of a bill that expands authority to do so.... — Updated 2/21/2020
Parents and teachers express concerns over mandatory sex ed
Parents, students, and educational professionals voiced their concerns in a public hearing about a bill that would mandate comprehensive sexual education in public schools beginning as soon as kindergarten. Lorraine Jenne, chair... — Updated 2/21/2020
Senate passes bill requiring comprehensive sex-ed in public schools
A proposed law to require school districts to implement a comprehensive sexual education curriculum emphasizing healthy relationships and consent was passed after a 28-21 vote by the state Senate yesterday. If signed into law, Engr... — Updated 2/21/2020
House lawmakers pass bill to ban expansion of ICE detention center in Tacoma
The state House of Representatives voted 85-12 on a bill that would ban the expansion of an Immigration Customs Enforcement detention center in Tacoma. House Bill 2640 asserts that the privately-owned building, used to detain... — Updated 2/14/2020
Lawmakers aim to make childcare more accessible and easier to certify
Parents could have better access to childcare providers if lawmakers pass a bill that aims to make the childcare certification process cheaper and easier. The primary sponsor of House Bill 2556, Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said he... — Updated 2/14/2020
Democratic controlled house passes clean fuels bill despite bipartisan opposition
People will be asked to use a lot less gasoline and to convert to alternative clean fuels in the next 15 years if a proposal before the Legislature becomes law. After lengthy debate, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1110... — Updated 2/11/2020
Armed 2nd Amendment supporters rallied in resistance at Capitol
Roughly 100 gun rights activists marched on the State Capitol on Friday, Jan. 31, and rallied in opposition to recently proposed gun regulation bills. Matt Marshall, leader of the... — Updated 2/11/2020
Lawmakers consider a grow-your-own recreational marijuana bill
People may be allowed to grow up to six of their own cannabis plants and up to 15 plants per household if the Legislature passes House Bill 1131 or its companion, Senate Bill 5155. Under current law, people can obtain... — Updated 2/11/2020
Advisory votes on tax increases under fire
Advisory votes that give voters a chance to let lawmakers know their opinions on legislation to increase taxes may be removed from future ballots. Instead, senators are considering replacing advisory votes with a public opinion... — Updated 2/11/2020
Lawmakers propose cap and trade amid continued push for an emission-reduction policy
A proposed cap and trade program is under consideration in the Senate as lawmakers continue to explore ways to meet the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. Senate Bill 5981, with Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Queen Anne, as its... — Updated 2/11/2020
Governor signs into law tax bill to help fund higher education
Fewer businesses will be asked to foot the bill for higher education programs after Gov. Jay Inslee signed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6492 on Monday, Feb 10. The bill will... — Updated 2/11/2020
Lawmakers aim to put sweeping regulations on the vaping industry
Legislation requested by the governor's office and supported by Democratic senators aims to ban flavored nicotine vaping products and impose sweeping regulations on the vaping industry. If passed, Senate Bill 6254 would limit the... — Updated 1/23/2020
Senate passes bill requiring comprehensive sex-ed in public schools
A proposed law to require school districts to implement a comprehensive sexual education curriculum emphasizing healthy relationships and consent was passed after a 28-21 vote by the state Senate yesterday. If signed into law, Engr... — Updated 1/23/2020
Industry leaders worry clean-fuel program could hurt economy
Democrats in the state Legislature are backing bills aimed at reducing carbon emissions and pollutants put into the atmosphere by transportation fuels with the goal of achieving a 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from... — Updated 1/21/2020
Gun rights advocates rally at Capitol
OLYMPIA - On what turned out to be a cold and rainy day, nearly 150 people from across Washington gathered Jan. 17 on the state Capitol steps in support of their right to bear... — Updated 1/21/2020
Democrats push to require firearm training for concealed carriers
OLYMPIA -- A proposal by Senate Democrats would require concealed pistol license applicants to complete a safety course. Senate Bill 6294 would require conceal-carry permit holders to complete eight hours of training that would... — Updated 1/21/2020
Lawmakers move to limit companies that trade your data
Washington lawmakers have proposed groundbreaking legislation that aims to give consumers more control over their digitally-collected personal data and image. Senate Bill 6281, or the Washington Privacy Act, would allow consumers... — Updated 1/14/2020
WNPA Olympia News Bureau opens for 2020 Legislative session
Editor's note: As a bonus for Beacon readers, we will be publishing stories from the Washington Newspaper Publisher Association's Olympia News Bureau as the state Legislature opens... — Updated 1/14/2020
GOP Senators propose free use of state parks
OLYMPIA - Residents and visitors will get a break if lawmakers approve a proposal to do away with Discover Pass fees for using state parks. Senate Minority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-... — Updated 1/14/2020
