TJ Martinell
TJ Martinell is a native Washingtonian and award-winning journalist. Born and raised in Bellevue, he’s been involved in the news industry since working at his high school newspaper.
His investigative reporting for various community newspapers in the Puget Sound region has been recognized by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association and the Society for Professional Journalists.
A graduate of Eastern Washington University, he has a B.A. in journalism and was the news editor of EWU’s student university newspaper.
“Make or break” summer for craft breweries
Although only one of the 420 craft breweries in Washington state has closed since businesses were shuttered due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the next...
Commuting in a post COVID-19 world
The temporary shutdown of businesses and the forced telecommuting implemented by major employers in the central Puget Sound region has resulted in a tremendous...
Trade impacts “mixed bag” for agriculture
Though the full effects of the COVID-19 response on Washington trade have yet to be determined, a new report by the Washington Council on...
PSE signs agreement for renewable natural gas
In an effort to promote the use of renewable energy, the state legislature last year passed HB 1257 which allows gas companies to sell...
Feds invalidate state law on crude oil transport
A federal agency has invalidated a 2019 state law regulating crude oil transportation, concluding that a federal law preempts the state requirement. The move...
Retailers work to shift sales, marketing tactics
As retailers prepare for expanded operations after an initial reopening on May 8, many have already shifted their marketing and business strategies in response...
Emergency labor rule avoids “potential food shortage”
The state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and the Department of Health have approved an emergency rule for H-2A worker housing that provides...
Businesses, legislators advocate flexibility, autonomy with reopening policies
Governor Jay Inslee has unveiled additional details about how businesses such as restaurants can partially reopen, along with information about the latest state efforts...
Court overturns state bank tax
A King County Superior Court judge has ruled a 2019 state bank tax unconstitutional for violating federal law after it was initially upheld regarding...
Washington meat supply backlogged, but stable
While the appearance of rationing policies in grocery stores today for meat and beef products similar to those used for toilet papers in March...
Guest worker rule could dampen strong apple harvest
As the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) considers a proposed emergency rule for guest worker housing, Washington apple farmers say an exceptional,...
Bipartisan pressure mounts to reopen economy
After more than a month of business closures throughout the state related to the COVID-19 pandemic, bipartisan pressure is building on Governor Jay Inslee...
Landlords offer “creative solutions,” support to struggling tenants
With an eviction moratorium in place since March 18 and the continued closure of businesses throughout Washington state, landlords are offering a variety of...
Inslee extends stay home order as other states look to reopen
Governor Jay Inslee last month signed a pact with California and Oregon that was later joined by Nevada and Colorado which calls for “a...
Unemployment trust fund could be weeks from insolvency
In addition to a huge budget revenue shortfall, state lawmakers may also have to address how to replace funds in the state unemployment trust...
Businesses collaborate on plans to safely reopen
As Governor Jay Inslee’s “stay at home” order continues to keep most businesses throughout the state closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, state...
Small biz “barely hanging on”
Days after reopening the construction industry, Governor Jay Inslee announced that some outdoor recreation on state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land will also...
Market hit to state pension obligations uncertain
Despite the recent stock market drop due to the COVID-19 outbreak and response, it’s unclear what the financial implications will be for the future...
Low-risk construction activity set to resume
Governor Jay Inslee has announced that low-risk construction work will be allowed to resume, provided businesses adhere to safety guidelines developed by a state...
Emergency rule “season-ending” for many farmers
Many Washington state farmers rely on foreign workers through the Federal H-2A work visa program to harvest their crops. However, the Department of Health...
Business, labor strongly oppose Seattle job tax
As the Seattle City Council continues discussions on a proposed new job tax, regional businesses and labor representatives have responded with a letter to Mayor...
Inslee may reopen construction, other activity
Governor Jay Inslee announced in an April 21 address to the state that his March 18 “shelter-in-place” order will extend beyond May 4, though certain activities...
EPA restores state water quality standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially restored the state Department of Ecology’s water quality standards for Washington state after a strange turn of...
Stakeholders make case for education choice
Washington schools have remained closed for more than a month due to the COVID-19 outbreak, forcing teachers to rely on online and other methods...
Supply chain strain underscores agriculture’s role
Many Washington farmers have argued there is a disconnect in the state between those that produce food and those who consume it – a...
Stakeholders urge discussions on reopening businesses
Key elected state officials and small business advocates are stressing the need for a state plan to allow businesses to reopen their doors as...
Pro-driver v. pro-transit philosophies collide
During this year’s legislative session, some state lawmakers put forward a proposal that would have fundamentally altered statewide transportation policy by giving the Washington...
Washington’s “economic refugees” caution against new taxes
With the Washington State Supreme Court unwilling to reexamine its long-standing position that a graduated income tax is illegal, some local and state elected...
Real estate tax revenue up amid decreased activity, COVID-19 response
Despite decreased real estate activity and social distancing restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the state collected millions more in real estate excise...
No construction order “open season” for squatting, theft, vandalism
As stakeholders continue to discuss how to resume construction activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, builders across the state say criminals are taking advantage of...
Efforts continue to recognize construction as “essential activity”
Although Governor Jay Inslee declined to add construction to the list of allowed “essential activities” as part of an April 7 update on the...
Seattle job tax 2.0: “Punitive tax policy”
Two years after approving and then quickly repealing a $275-per-employee job tax to fund homelessness programs, the Seattle City Council at its April 6...
Inslee reduces operating budget spending increase
Governor Jay Inslee signed the 2020 supplemental budget on April 3 after vetoing spending provisions in anticipation of decreased state revenue due to the...
Air agency drops regional fuel standard proposal
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) is no longer considering a regional low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) after a third legislative effort to...
Supreme court refuses to take up Seattle income tax case
The Washington State Supreme Court has announced it will not hear a legal case regarding the city of Seattle’s graduated income tax ordinance previously...
Shutdown puts damper on Washington housing market
Not only has the state response to COVID-19 paused commercial and residential construction, it has also put considerable restrictions on real estate transactions, and...
Analyst: Tax relief can help Washington businesses, consumers
The COVID-19 response by the state of Washington has both small and large businesses taking a hit. However, Washington may be relatively well-positioned to...
New lawsuit targets Sound Transit’s MVET
Although the State Supreme Court ruled against plaintiffs in a case protesting ST3’s motor vehicle excise tax (MVET), a new lawsuit filed on March...
“It (capital gains tax) opens the door to the income tax and you and...
- Former State Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge in a 2011 email to Sen. David Frockt.
Builders say construction is “essential activity”
Governor Jay Inslee on March 23 issued a “shelter-in-place” order closing all non-essential business activity in the state, including construction work. Builders are now...
Inslee signs plastic bag ban despite COVID-19 concerns with reusable bags
Governor Jay Inslee has signed into law ESSB 5323 which bans the use of plastic bags, even though other states around the country are...
TVW marks silver anniversary of “gavel-to-gavel” legislative coverage
During Washington’s 1995 state legislature session, committee meetings and floor debates were broadcast live for the first time by TVW – a “C-SPAN” for...
Panic purchases can create shortage illusion
As is now well recognized in communities throughout the state, the COVID-19 outbreak and response has provoked panic purchases by Washington consumers of items...
Coronavirus hits Washington tourism sector
Telling people to stay away is not an appealing prospect for most business organizations and governments that depend on tourist dollars to survive.
But that...
“This is a time like no other for our company, our industry, our communities.”
- Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun in an internal memo to employees.
Industry responds with resources
In response to the coronavirus causing COVID-19, industry leaders throughout the state are mobilizing communications channels to provide resources and issue guidance for both...
Treasurer asks Inslee to veto state bank study
The state legislature has spent $650,000 in the past three years studying the concept of a state bank. If signed by Governor Jay Inslee,...
As economic activity shifts, recession questions emerge
The recent statewide shift in major economic activity due to the coronavirus causing COVID-19 is raising questions about a possible recession, and events of...
Truckers continue to operate, though struggling
With the statewide temporary closure by Governor Jay Inslee of some stores, restaurants, bars, and recreational facilities, coupled with the telecommuting by employees of...
2020 legislative session roundup
Washington’s 60-day 2020 legislative session concluded March 12 after state lawmakers approved a supplemental operating budget amid growing concerns about the coronavirus outbreak’s long-term...
Amid uncertainty and despite some objection, lawmakers finalize operating budget
The state legislature voted to approve a final 2020 supplemental budget that adds just under $1 billion in new spending for the 2019-2021 biennium,...
