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Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA legislators debate over police hiring grant as session nears close
The Brief The Washington Senate passed House Bill 2015 to support police hiring and public safety, but Gov. Bob Ferguson demands $100 million in funding, threatening to veto a budget that falls short. The bill proposes a 0.1% sales tax for public safety initiatives, leading to mixed reactions in a 30-19 vote due to concerns over affordability. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Legislators on Wednesday took a step toward meeting one of the governor's top priorities, but the step may not be big enough. Immediately after being sworn in earlier this year, Gov. Bob Ferguson made it clear he wanted to get $100 million for a police hiring grant program. "That idea was a cornerstone of my campaign for governor," he said in his inaugural address on January 15. "Any budget I sign must include this funding." Dig deeper The legislature made progress toward that goal with the Senate passing House Bill 2015 on Wednesday afternoon. The bill establishes a grant program to financially support local law enforcement agencies in hiring and retaining officers, but goes a step further by supporting mental health co-response, community outreach and other public safety efforts. "Because it takes everyone to make sure that each and every one of us remains safe. And that is what this bill does," said Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, during the Senate floor debate. Among the requirements for grant eligibility, agencies must receive funding from existing local criminal justice or public safety sales taxes, or from a new sales tax created by the bill. The new 0.1% sales tax would have to be approved by a local government, but only if the community has not rejected a criminal justice or public safety sales tax within the last year. Revenue from the tax would also be able to fund domestic violence services, diversion programs, public defenders and other activities. Lawmakers previously expressed a desire for increased funding beyond police, arguing more officers would mean more need for lawyers, court staff and other criminal justice system elements. Sen. Jeff Holy, R-Cheney, spearheaded an earlier attempt at a police officer hiring grant. He said the bill that passed out of the Senate is a good compromise that helps address a growing challenge in hiring police officers. What they're saying "We've got something that we can't just turn back the clock and fix one thing that's gonna fix everything. But this bill's a start," Holy said during Wednesday's debate. The bill passed on a 30-19 vote, with bipartisan support and opposition. While they want more police, some Republicans had concerns about opening the door to a new tax at a time of unaffordability "We need this infusion of public safety. We're so far behind, we need to do this–or allow this to be done, I would say, in order for citizens to be able to get the public safety that they deserve." said Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn. "Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to vote no, because I believe that we should be doing this without the tax increase. The program relies on funding from the state operating budget. The House proposal released last month set aside $25 million over the next two years, while the Senate proposal offered no funding. The other side At a press conference earlier this month, Ferguson repeated his call for $100 million over two years, and said he would veto the budget if it falls short. The governor cited his prior experience as the state's attorney general in explaining his rationale. "At some point, I would just believe in saying to the other side, 'This is our bottom line,'" he explained. "Anyone who ever worked with me, any entities we had a lawsuit against knows, I did not deviate from those bottom lines." The governor's office did not reply to a request for updated comment Thursday afternoon. The funding amount for the grant program could change as the House and Senate negotiate the final budget. The bill is back in the House after the Senate made some amendments. Both the bill and the budget will have to pass out of the legislature by April 27. Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. The Source Information in this story comes from original reporting by Murrow News Fellow Albert James. Missing WA grandmother's remains found buried under shed These 2 WA trails rank among best in US, new study finds Reddit: Seattle crosswalk hacked with voice message mocking Jeff Bezos 37 earthquakes recorded in Okanogan County, WA, over the past week Auburn, WA business employee, co-owner speak out after building burns during police search Comedian Jeff Dunham previews his upcoming Tacoma Dome show Seattle woman arrested for pit bull attacks: 'Let him do his thing' To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington has too few police officers. This proposal could help cut the crime rate
Crime continues to be a growing problem in many communities throughout our state. In fact, according to more than one national crime website, Washington ranks in the top five in the overall crime rate among states. Washington ranks among the worst states in several categories, including murders, auto theft and retail theft. A key reason is that we also rank 51st nationally — dead last — for the number of law-enforcement officers per capita. It should come as no surprise that the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington has not kept pace with its growing population. This chronic shortage of officers in our state has created major consequences for public safety, such as reduced capacity for crime prevention, delayed justice for victims and reduced effectiveness in trying to de-escalate crime incidents. As a retired police officer, I know we need more officers in our communities and on our roads. That is why I have reintroduced a bill this year to increase public safety by increasing the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington communities. The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by 12 other senators, including Sen. Manka Dhingra, who as chair of the Law and Justice Committee is my Democratic counterpart on that panel. Senate Bill 5060 would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments hire law-enforcement officers. A $100 million appropriation from the state general fund would support the grant program. SB 5060 also would require the CJTC to establish policies for grant applications from local agencies, including review criteria and reporting requirements from local governments, and annually report on the grant program's utilization, application and hiring data. The bill was passed earlier this session by the Senate Law and Justice Committee following a public hearing. It now awaits a vote from the Senate Ways and Means Committee, where it received a public hearing on Feb. 3. Those public hearings attracted strong testimony from proponents ranging from Spokane Valley City Councilmember Rod Higgins to officials with the governor's office, the city of Tacoma, the Association of Washington Cities and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. With this bill, the supporters said, we can move closer to a shared goal of a safer Washington. One pointed out the bill will help defray the costs of hiring new officers, which in turn responds to what another backer noted: how law-enforcement agencies need more staffing if they are to respond to public calls for service in minutes rather than hours. Another bill supporter told legislators that Washington's per-capita rate of law-enforcement officers has not only been the nation's lowest for 14 years, it also hasn't been this low in our state since 1980. Just to match the nation's second-lowest officer per capita rate, Washington would need to hire an additional 1,370 officers. I've introduced this bill in past sessions only to see it fall short, but I am more optimistic this time around. During his inaugural address to legislators in January, Gov. Bob Ferguson said he would not sign a new operating budget if it did not provide the $100 million in funding for this program. It is encouraging that he has publicly supported this bill, especially since his predecessor, Jay Inslee, would not. The new governor not only understands the need to increase the number of law-enforcement officers in our state, but he also believes the best route is through this proposed grant program. Sen. Jeff Holy, R-Cheney, serves the 6th Legislative District. He is ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats rework plan for WA prosecutor on police use of deadly force
State Sen. Manka Dhingra speaks as the Washington state Senate convenes for floor session on Feb. 28, 2023. (Washington State Legislative Support Services) Washington Democrats are trying again to give the state additional power to prosecute cases when police use deadly force. But the bill looks a bit different this time around compared to past years. The previous version made the Office of Independent Prosecutions a division in the attorney general's office. But then-Attorney General Bob Ferguson argued that prosecuting these cases could be a conflict of interest for the attorney general's office. The agency serves as legal counsel for state law enforcement, including the Washington State Patrol. Former Gov. Jay Inslee raised similar concerns about conflict of interest if the office was housed under the governor. 'We were without options,' said Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, the prime sponsor of past legislation to create the office. But now with a new administration in town, lawmakers plan to relaunch their push for the independent prosecutor, this time in the governor's office. Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, filed a bill Tuesday to add a statewide prosecutor to an existing law enforcement oversight agency. Proponents say it makes sense to place the prosecutor under the governor's jurisdiction, as part of the Office of Independent Investigations lawmakers created in 2021. The agency would be renamed the Office of Independent Investigations and Prosecutions. Ferguson, now governor, also prefers placing the prosecutor in his office. Still, supporters of the measure should expect similar pushback as in past years from county prosecutors who say a statewide counterpart usurps their authority. The new attorney general, Nick Brown, said in an interview earlier this month he thought his office should oversee the independent prosecutor. 'There's been conversations about putting it in the governor's office or some other independent entity,' Brown said the day he was sworn in. 'At least from my vantage point on the outside, over the last couple years, it always made the most sense for me to house that work here.' An attorney general's office spokesperson said this week staff were reviewing the latest proposal. The past two years, Democrats in the state House have moved a bill forward to create the independent prosecutor's office with no Republican support. But both times the legislation didn't make it to the Senate floor. Dhingra is optimistic about its chances, but justifying the cost in a difficult budget year could be tough. 'Anything with a fiscal note is in trouble this year,' Dhingra said. Last year's legislation was expected to cost $9.5 million in the 2025-2027 biennium, and $12.7 million in the next biennium. Previous versions cost much more. Locating the prosecutor within the Office of Independent Investigations could lead to even more savings. Adding the independent prosecutor is a priority for police accountability advocates. They also want to authorize the attorney general to investigate local police for violating state law. A committee hearing on that legislation, Senate Bill 5066, is set for Thursday. The Washington Coalition for Police Accountability just wants to see the office up and running. It 'doesn't really matter where it's located,' said the group's policy expert, Leslie Cushman. Cushman said the coalition believes the independent prosecutor will 'improve accountability, and it'll give some confidence to communities.' Another big holdup in recent years has been local prosecutors who argued the independent statewide office would take away their authority to investigate these cases. Republicans in the past have agreed. Law enforcement groups have also been opposed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX But supporters say local prosecutors work too closely with law enforcement, giving their decisions in cases of deadly force an air of bias. 'This isn't going to guarantee anybody is going to be prosecuted,' Cushman said. 'It's just guaranteeing greater credibility of the process and maybe some greater transparency.' The statewide prosecutor could see a rough average of 30 cases annually, according to projections last year. The prosecutor would handle cases from the independent investigations office. The agency is just starting to conduct its own inquiries on new cases, launching in December to look into deaths in southwest Washington and the Olympic Peninsula before expanding across the state. So far, the investigations office has initiated probes in two cases, in Centralia and Vancouver. The agency is required to finish its inquiries within 120 days. Currently, those investigations would go to the county prosecutor. But if lawmakers pass Senate Bill 5584, the evidence would be forwarded to the independent prosecutor, who would review the case concurrently with the local prosecutor. If both file charges, it would be a judge's job to decide whose prosecution 'will best promote the interests of justice.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The idea of the state bringing charges against police officers who use deadly force isn't entirely new. In late 2023, a jury found three officers not guilty of criminal charges in the killing of Manuel Ellis in Tacoma in a case handled by the attorney general. In that case, the Washington State Patrol investigated Ellis' death and turned its findings over to the attorney general.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Washington bill aims to require bars to sell drug tests for spiked drinks
A new Washington State bill is aiming to require all bars to sell drug tests for spiked drinks. Senate Bill 5330 was introduced in a legislative session Monday, which would require all businesses, licensed to sell alcohol, to sell drug tests for spiked drinks. This would include hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and taverns. 'People should feel safe when they go out to bars and nightclubs, and we know that drink spiking is becoming a very real and serious problem,' said State Senator Manka Dhingra. According to the proposal, businesses would be required to sell the tests at a reasonable price based on the wholesale cost of the kits. A sign would also need to be displayed in a prominent area, reading, 'Don't get roofied. Drink spiking drug kits available here. Ask a staff member for details.' Businesses would not be held responsible for defective tests or inaccurate test results. State Senator Dhingra said the idea was brought to her by a group of students from Lake Washington High School after a similar bill was passed in California. 'We're seeing a rise in drinks that have been drugged, basically in order to rape individuals,' she told KIRO 7 News. 'This is about saying in this Washington, we do not tolerate sexual assault and this Washington, we are going to hold perpetrators accountable and do everything we can to stop this behavior from occurring.' KIRO 7 News spoke with customers and business owners about the new proposal, including Jean-Paul Pirio, the owner of Time Out Ale House in Federal Way. 'Safety has to be number one,' he shared. 'You want to protect the customers. You want them to be safe and comfortable here, potentially add to that safety and make people more comfortable.' While he supports the intention of the proposal, he said he also recognizes that other small businesses may push back because of the extra costs as many are struggling with high inflation. 'Restaurants historically are a low-percentage profit business. So, any new expenses potentially could take away from the profitability,' he said. 'I think it could definitely impact them.' KIRO 7 News took this concern to Senator Dhingra. 'They don't charge for toilet paper or other necessary products. They are in a position to buy Vodka, beer and wine so this is a matter of getting used to making sure this product is available, and this is really about prevention. Because once people know this product is available, I do think that people who are interested in spiking drinks will think twice before engaging in this behavior,' she responded. 'We don't want them (businesses) to lose money over this. They should be able to charge a fair market rate to the customers,' she said. Jennifer Rosentrater, a bartender, said she supports the idea as she is aware of the risks of going out at night to grab a drink. 'Women should be able to feel safe. You shouldn't have to worry about your drink if you get up to go to the bathroom, but unfortunately, in today's day and age, you have to,' she said. 'I think it's really sad. It's really sad that you even have to worry about that. As a woman, it's really important to feel safe when you go out, especially when you go out by yourself, and I think these kits will help that.' However, Rosentrater said she believes people would only buy test kits if they believe their drinks have been drugged, adding that the bill may not go far enough to stop perpetrators who are discrete. Senator Dhingra responded after KIRO 7 News shared Rosentrater's concern with her, 'We will not tolerate this behavior. We know it's occurring and here are some tools for us to identify what is going on, and if it's still is occurring, we do have statutes in place that are going to take it seriously and classify it as a level that they're engaging in drug-facilitated rape.' The new bill would take effect January 1, 2026, if passed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Washington proposal would require bars to sell drug tests for spiked drinks
The Brief Lawmakers in Olympia are considering requiring nightclubs, hotels and other places that serve alcohol to sell testing kits for spiked drinks. While proponents say the legislation is important for public safety, some businesses are trying to hit the brakes. The bill is championed in part by a class from Lake Washington High School. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Lawmakers are considering requiring nightclubs, hotels and other places that serve alcohol to sell testing kits for spiked drinks. Proponents say the legislation, championed in part by a class of high schoolers, is important for public safety. Though some businesses are trying to hit the brakes. What they're saying "People should feel safe when they go out to bars and nightclubs," said State Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) "And we know that drink spiking is becoming a very real and serious problem." Heard in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee Monday morning, Senate Bill 5330 would require bars, theaters and other places that serve alcohol to sell drug testing kits for spiked drinks. Dhingra, the prime sponsor of the bipartisan legislation, said the businesses could charge a market-rate price for the strips, stickers or other testing devices. While they would have to put up signs saying tests are available and check that they have not expired, the businesses would not be responsible for a defective test. "This is about just the alarming number in the rise of drug-facilitated rape that we're seeing," Dhingra said. "And I think as a state, I think we have to say that that culture needs to stop." She said a group of Lake Washington High School students in Kirkland pitched the bill to her. The group said they helped make the bill as part of their AP Government class and TVW's Capitol Classroom. "To be here today to speak to senators, have other people even testify in support or raising concerns with our bill – it was so cool to see the process first hand. It was so amazing for us," said Lake Washington senior Kira Ulrich. The students looked to similar legislation that became law in California – though that bill only covered bars and nightclubs. They even called businesses across the state to gauge their interest in the requirements. Why you should care While they are not of legal age to be drinking, the students said sexual assault, whether drug-induced or otherwise, can happen to anyone and have a lasting impact. "We have first-hand accounts of how often this happens and how life-changing it can be," said Lake Washington senior Addie Hafermann. "So it's just absolutely essential that something like this be passed so we can really make people be safe." "We really need to think about the survivors, victims or soon to be victims, and we just really need to do something to be proactive and preventive," Ulrich said. "And a big part of this bill is not only to give patrons some control and protection, but build awareness." An industry group representing restaurants and hotels supports bars being required to sell tests, but expressed concerns about the requirement extending to other businesses. They also spoke about the additional costs for businesses to stock a product they have never sold before and keep track expiration dates. "Businesses that cater to family and children should retain the option to offer these products and post signage about sexual assault," said Julia Gorton with the Washington Hospitality Association. "We look forward to continuing the conversation and aligning the bill with the California approach, but this bill needs many more conversations." Dhingra said she is looking forward to conversations with businesses to iron out concerns on signage and where the requirements apply. But ultimately, where there is a bar, there should be a way to test a drink. "This is really not meant to be onerous, but really meant to be a partnership to make sure all the patrons are safe," she said. "You never know who's around you and by putting in these safety procedures and allowing bars to sell these products to customers will protect everybody in Washington," said Lake Washington senior Ava Brisimitzis. Senate Bill 5330 is scheduled for a committee vote on Friday. The Source Albert James, a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. Las Vegas Raiders hire Pete Carroll as head coach, sources say Renton PD: Son threatens mother, talks about 'demons' before her murder Scammer charged for swindling $14K from 71-year-old WA woman Auburn police officer sentenced for 2019 shooting death of homeless man Cluster of tremors felt near Snoqualmie, WA after 3.5 magnitude earthquake To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily Fox Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX Seattle FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
