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washington energy spotlight
PSE announces small biz energy contest
With half of Washington’s workforce employed by small businesses, the survival of those employers at a time of high unemployment has become a heightened priority for different stakeholders. Earlier this year, the state Department of Commerce doubled funds available for its Working Washington Small Business emergency grant program. Now, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is hosting […]
guest opinion
Pragmatic environmentalism needed in WA-08
It’s no secret that Washington is one of the most beautiful states in the union. With three iconic national parks and countless other natural resources, we have so much to be proud of and thankful for. In the midst of a pandemic and national political turmoil, one thing all Washingtonians can agree on is that […]
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Energy & Environment
Capital gains tax, LCFS within reach next session
Democrat lawmakers and Governor Jay Inslee for years have sought to enact a variety of tax and regulatory proposals that have failed due to...
Pragmatic environmentalism needed in WA-08
It’s no secret that Washington is one of the most beautiful states in the union. With three iconic national parks and countless other natural...
Education
Let’s do more for at-risk students before they fall behind
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a great deal of new obstacles for many of us. Unfortunately, schools and students have not been spared. Over...
What has new basic education spending achieved?
Although the latest update from the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) shows a 20 percent jump in revenue compared to the June...
Growth
Washington’s mixed economy recovery
Washington’s economy continues to recover from historically high unemployment and revenue decreases earlier this year, though that recovery is inconsistent across industry sectors. The...
Aerospace stakeholders contemplate path to recovery
Washington state’s aerospace industry has certainly seen better years than 2020. In addition to the economic shutdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic all...
Healthcare
COVID-19 and the role of telehealth
The state legislature since 2015 has explored the concept of telemedicine – i part to improve healthcare access for rural communities. With the onset...
“Uphill” battle remains for single-payer healthcare work
For more than a year a state work group has explored the idea of a universal healthcare system in Washington state with forthcoming recommendations...
The free market is the way forward—on biopharmaceuticals and most everything else
What is America’s greatest strength in fighting COVID-19? Our biopharmaceutical industry, including the many important companies located here in Washington State.
Since the virus arrived...
Business
“Chilling effect”: Eviction moratorium strains small landlords
As Governor Jay Inslee contemplates possible changes to his eviction moratorium amid a legal challenge to it, some property rights advocates warn that the...
Fish habitat buffer rule unlikely for 2021
For almost 20 years the state has used an interim rule created after the 1999 Forests and Fish Law to establish fish habitat buffers...
Organizations see opportunity with virtual conferences
Although the concept of online meetings and conferences isn’t new, the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Washington since late March have forced state organizations and...