Individuals impacted by February’s Blake decision may now directly petition the governor’s office to have their sentences commuted — Washington state has instituted a new process to allow individuals on active community supervision for certain drug possession convictions to directly petition Gov. Jay Inslee to commute their sentences. Inslee is prepared to issue unconditional commutations for eligible petitioners to eliminate any remaining community supervision involving drug possession convictions that…

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a requirement for most state workers, and on-site contractors and volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. State employees and workers in private health care and long-term care settings will have until October 18 to be fully vaccinated. The requirement applies…

Incentives for all vaccinated, regardless of when, include lottery drawings, higher education financial assistance, game systems and smart speakers, and event and flight tickets — Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a suite of new incentives to help encourage unvaccinated Washingtonians to get the COVID shot. The Washington State Lottery will be conducting a “Shot of a Lifetime” giveaway series during the month of June, working with state agencies, technology companies, sports teams and higher education…

The governor signed 12 bills in Pierce County Tuesday — Gov. Jay Inslee signed a dozen bills today that will improve accountability for law enforcement in Washington state, and will create the nation’s strongest police accountability system. The governor, joined by community members and families of those impacted, signed the bills at the Eastside Community Center in Tacoma. The governor…

Inslee signed five bills at three stops in King County Monday — Gov. Jay Inslee signed a historic climate change legislative package today during a three-stop tour through King County. The governor signed the Climate Commitment Act, environmental justice legislation, a clean fuels standard and bills related to reducing Washington’s single-use plastic waste and hydrofluorocarbon pollution. “Today is a historic day in…

The governor also discussed the plan for K-12 to return in the fall and additional opportunities for fully vaccinated individuals — Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that the state is moving toward a statewide June 30 reopening date and that all counties in Washington will move to Phase 3 of the Healthy WA: Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan effective May 18 until June 30. The announcement comes after the governor paused…

The governor took action on a number of bills Tuesday alongside elected officials, labor representatives and other stakeholders — Gov. Jay Inslee today signed a package of bills that will increase worker safety protections, expand support for frontline workers during a public health emergency and grant overtime protections for farmworkers. “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new focus on the challenges faced by frontline workers,” Inslee said in Yakima…

Last week, the governor signed a proclamation recognizing May 7 as National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day — Gov. Jay Inslee today signed SB 5237, the Fair Start for Kids Act. The legislation will make child care more accessible and affordable for families across Washington state. The governor signed the bill at a Child Care Provider Awareness Day celebration with legislators and early learning advocates. Last week, the…

The governor signed the Working Families Tax Credit and capital gains excise tax in Tukwila on Tuesday — Gov. Jay Inslee today signed an economic justice legislative package, including the Working Families Tax Credit and the capital gains excise tax, that starts the process of making Washington’s upside-down tax system fairer and more equitable. “This is a day where Washington state starts to make progress on making our…