WA governor moves to improve state consultation with tribes Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order Wednesday to strengthen how the state consults and works with Native American tribes in Washington. It calls for drafting new policies for tribal consultation and requires expanded training for state workers on sovereignty and other issues related to understanding the unique nature of the ties between the state and tribal governments. Tribal leaders applauded the move, but also flagged ongo...| Washington State House DemocratsWashington State House Democrats
WA homebuyers in flood-prone areas are stranded amid government shutdown It’s October. Halloween decorations are up. Leaves are changing colors. Pumpkin spice lattes are back. And it is time to think about floods. The state has nailed the timing for its flood awareness month, with a level 1 flash flood threat for parts of southern coastal Washington starting Friday. Unfortunately, this year, October brought a government shutdown that has tied the hands of many seeking flood insurance — ma...| Washington State House DemocratsWashington State House Democrats
Feds searched security systems at 18 WA police agencies, report finds At least three Seattle-area police departments changed their surveillance programs this week after learning U.S. Border Patrol had searched their Flock Safety databases this year, a practice civil rights researchers and advocates said might violate state law, if done for immigration enforcement purposes. Police officials in Renton, Auburn and Lakewood said they weren’t aware the federal agency had accessed their departmen...| Washington State House DemocratsWashington State House Democrats
ICE windfall from Trump megabill fuels surveillance juggernaut Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is on a surveillance spending spree: The agency is using much of its windfall from this summer’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act to fund a major expansion of biometric identification, cellphone tracking and other electronic capabilities. Why it matters: The megabill’s $75 billion cash infusion for ICE was sold by Congress as a way to speed up hiring new agents and adding detention space. Bu...| Washington State House DemocratsWashington State House Democrats
SNAP benefits on pace to run out in two weeks if shutdown persists As the federal government shutdown extends to day 17, and with congressional leaders nowhere near negotiating, state officials are beginning to raise concerns of potential cuts to nutrition assistance benefits that feed millions if the government isn’t reopened. Minnesota has already halted new enrollments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. And officials in Kansas, New Hampshire and New Mexico have wa...| Washington State House DemocratsWashington State House Democrats
What to know about ‘No Kings’ protests this weekend in WA Thousands are again expected to gather in Seattle and throughout Western Washington with a second round of “No Kings” protest planned Saturday. The protests come amid an ongoing partial federal government shutdown and as President Donald Trump deploys, or threatens to deploy, National Guard troops to U.S. cities like Portland, Ore., and Chicago, against the wishes of state and local officials. Continue reading at The Seattle Ti...| Washington State House DemocratsWashington State House Democrats
The Great ShakeOut returns to WA to promote earthquake readiness The Great ShakeOut is back, Washington. About 1.6 million Washingtonians are registered to join over 58 million others across the world today in International ShakeOut Day. At 10:16 a.m. local time, people at work, school or home will participate in earthquake drills. And what’s a better occasion than Mariners fans causing a teensy earthquake themselves? A stadium full of roaring fans made the ground shake at T-Mobile Park whe...| Washington State House DemocratsWashington State House Democrats
Washington AG pushing new law to protect workers from immigration raids| Washington State House Democrats
Oregon sues to block Trump from sending National Guard to Portland| Washington State House Democrats
WA homeless patients have a lot to lose under Trump’s Medicaid changes| Washington State House Democrats