Cottages on rural lands
As the state legislature considers proposals for detached accessory dwelling units within the urban growth areas (UGA), legislators are also looking to expand those...
Secure or restrictive scheduling?
Following in the steps of Seattle, Washington state lawmakers have introduced statewide worker scheduling legislation that proponents argue will provide better certainty for workers....
Lawmaker proposes legalizing local income tax
Earlier this month, a group of Democrat state lawmakers submitted a brief in the lawsuit over the city of Seattle’s income tax ordinance arguing...
Low carbon fuel standard’s “hidden” gas tax
With Washington having the third-highest gas tax in the country, critics of a proposed low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) say it would make fuel...
Can growth and farming coexist?
As Washington state’s population grows, agricultural industry advocates say that farmers need more flexibility with their land designated for farming under the Growth Management...
‘Knockout punch’ for refineries with local government ‘bait-and-switch’
With one of the Washington environmental community’s top targets for elimination within its borders, Whatcom County demonstrated in January that the “public” part of...
Biz community decries bill to “kill” independent contracting
A diverse coalition of Washington business community members are up in arms over a legislative proposal that critics say would essentially wipe out independent...
The push for minimum density standards
A frequent observation made by builders operating in the central Puget Sound area when discussing housing affordability is the varying housing density standards created...
Casting for fish barrier removal funds
Now that the legislature has satisfied the State Supreme Court’s McCleary order, it now faces another court order to remove hundreds of fish barriers...
Washington’s hospitality labor shortage
As Washington state is currently experiencing a low unemployment rate, industries such as hospitality in recent years have struggled to fill job openings. A...
Washington’s next major airport
Some state lawmakers think it’s time for Washington to start looking for the location of its next major commercial airport, and a new Senate...
Mixed reviews for tax system overhaul
A Senate proposal creating a revenue reform task force is getting mixed reviews among members of the business community as to whether the state’s...
Lawmakers contemplate tolling authority change
As local cities and even counties consider ways to reduce congestion or improve revenue streams, one option is tolling city streets. It’s an idea...
Protecting Washington transportation revenue
One of the concerns Washington residents may have about a possible road user charge (RUC) to replace the state gas tax for funding transportation...
Some express reservations as clean energy proposal advances
A legislative proposal to put Washington state on the path to 100 percent clean energy by 2045 this week cleared the Senate Environment, Energy...
Funding raids endanger Washington infrastructure
As part of the McCleary compromise to fully fund basic education, the state legislature has dipped repeatedly into several accounts outside the general fund....
Investing in rural Washington
Though Washington is ranked by WalletHub as having the best state economy in the nation, often lost in the mix is the growing inequity...
To reform (or not) Washington’s tax system
If there’s agreement among policy wonks that Washington’s tax code needs to change, there’s equal disagreement over the nuances of that discussion and what...
Long journey ahead for road user charge
If Washington state ever adopts a road user charge (RUC) to replace the motor vehicle fuel tax (MVFT), it’s going to be a long...
Stakeholders urge caution with green energy push
One of Governor Jay Inslee’s green energy proposals announced in December is to have Washington state utilities generate carbon-free electricity by 2030 and 100...
Employers prep for paid leave
With the phase-in period for paid family and medical leave just around the corner, two members of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Advisory...
Ag stakeholders: Farm bill a win for WA
Representatives from Washington’s ag community and U.S. lawmakers say the recently passed farm bill is important for providing certainty for the state’s farmers and...
Inslee’s budget proposal includes income tax
After unveiling a series of clean energy proposals earlier this week devoid of a new tax, Governor Jay Inslee is now proposing a nine...
Local businesses navigate Christmas tree shortage
‘Tis the season for Christmas tree selling, and Washington’s tree selling businesses and tree farms are busy cycling in trees so community members can...
Video: ‘Tis the season of trees
Lens interviewed Northwest Landscape Supply Owner Gary Fruhling and Bellevue resident Jeanne Ulstein to get their perspectives on the competition that Christmas tree selling...
Inslee announces new energy proposals
After Washington voters overwhelming rejected a carbon tax proposal under Initiative 1631 in November, Governor Jay Inslee is once more turning to the state...
Business community concerned over proposed overtime changes
Representatives from the business community say that while they appreciate efforts made by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to update its overtime...
Should Washington’s tax system change?
Many Washingtonians loathe the business and occupation (B&O) tax, and they’re not finished giving their thoughts on how to improve the state’s tax structure....
Taking mass timber mainstream
The Washington State Building Code Council took a major step last week toward broader use of cross-laminated timber (CLT), or “mass timber, in building...
Preparing students for the manufacturing skills gap
New data suggests that the U.S. manufacturing field will experience a significant skills gap in the next decade. Washington state stakeholders recommend that the...
Seattle’s housing market cools
Seattle’s housing prices have declined at one of the fastest rates in the country over the late summer into the fall months. Coupled with...
Fighting for future of farming
As the dust settles from the Nov. 6 election, members of Washington’s agricultural industry are preparing for next year’s legislative session and what they...
Implementing tariffs “playing with fire”
A panel featuring representatives from small business, agriculture and the trade sector met in Seattle this month to discuss – and humanize – the...
Future of work in an automated world
Members of Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTB) are recommending to the legislature that the state and its businesses should refocus efforts...
Time for a tax cut?
New tax revenue continues to pour into Washington state’s coffers, to the point where some government reform experts and state lawmakers say it’s time...
Task force recommends dam removal study
The state Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force created by Governor Jay Inslee has released a list of 36 recommendations on how to aid...
Seeking solutions to healthcare employment issues
Employers in Washington’s healthcare sector are struggling with the employment pipeline and retainment, especially in rural areas. Representatives from the sector are now recommending...
The cost of fish barrier removal
A U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this year upheld a lower court ruling ordering Washington state to remove hundreds of fish barriers that inhibit...
Retooling Spokane’s economic development
Organizations representing local businesses and economic development interests have made it known that the previous and existing model for promoting the greater Spokane region...
Treasurer opposes public bank
While a $500,00 state-funded study aims to create a proposal for a public state bank funded by taxes and fees, State Treasurer Duane Davidson...
Port of Bellingham to ramp up cargo capacity
A new agreement will allow the Port of Bellingham to handle more cargo shipments—a move which members of the port and the labor community...
Questions remain with AWC brief
Following the submittal of an amicus brief by the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) defending the city of Seattle’s authority to impose a local...
Voters reject carbon tax
Washingtonians overwhelming rejected a proposed carbon tax via Initiative 1631 during Tuesday’s election – by a 56-44 percent margin.
Despite numerous failed efforts to enact...
State revenue good, tariff impacts uncertain
Washington state continues to receive surplus revenue, while the impact of new retaliatory tariffs on exports remains uncertain. That was the takeaway from the...
The dangers of tariffs
Leadership representing trade and business agree that tariffs create a long-term hindering effect on Washington state industries and impede the effectiveness of trade until...
Stakeholders examine future of work
The Future of Work Task Force convened this week to discuss areas of focus in Washington’s educational system in need of change to better...
Little margin for error with carbon tax
If Initiative 1631 is approved by voters next week as part of an effort to reduce Washington’s already low carbon emissions, there would be...
I-1634’s fight against local grocery taxes
For some backers of Initiative 1634, the measure is meant to prohibit local government from enacting soda taxes out of fear that ordinances like...
Costco to expand Issaquah headquarters
Costco Wholesale has received the green light to proceed with a 1.2 million square foot expansion to double its office space in its worldwide...
Lens Video: Bolstering housing efforts to prepare for the future
Lens attended the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) Housing Solutions Breakfast on Oct. 24.
Building the workforce of tomorrow
Automation is expected to radically change the makeup of the U.S. workforce, and experts say Washington state should help the next generation of workers...
