Washington Democrats’ controversial income tax bill emerged from a state House panel on Feb. 27 looking much different than when it arrived.

Washington state moved one step closer Feb. 16 to creating a personal income tax two years after the Legislature said it wouldn’t.

Democrats advanced controversial income tax legislation out of a key Washington state Senate committee on Feb. 9 after pledging more proceeds to local public defender costs and increasing a tax break for small businesses.

When the federal government stopped making pennies, it left it up to states to decide how retailers deal with the change.

In Washington, lawmakers are trying to come up with a uniform approach for merchants that is easy to understand for consumers.

Washington faces a budget challenge with a slowing economy and expected increased demand for services due to changes in federal law. Payroll tax proponents argue that the tax can raise money quickly to solve these pressures, whereas the income tax will take years to implement.

If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation on July 1. Foes of the bill cite concerns with enforcing it and worries it will drive away customers from bars, wineries and other hospitality businesses. 

Republican state Sen. Matt Boehnke announced Jan. 22 he is forgoing reelection and entering this year’s race to succeed retiring Republican Congressman Dan Newhouse in central Washington.

A vacancy at the helm of one of the state’s largest agencies is filled, for now, after Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Sarah Clifthorne as interim director of the Department of Commerce. 

Reviews are in for Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s debut budget blueprint. They are mostly two thumbs down.

Washington state lawmakers begin a 60-day session Jan. 12, in which a fiscal reckoning, flood recovery, and their own reelections loom large.