Latest news with #Shewmake
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislation capping rent increases makes its furthest progress yet in WA after passing in Senate
This story was originally published on A bill that would cap rent increases passed in the Senate, but not before Democratic lawmakers amended it by raising the limit on rent increases to 10% plus inflation in a single year, an increase from the 7% cap the House approved last month. House Bill 1217 passed in the Senate on Thursday by a single vote. Some exemptions exist, like single-family home rentals if they aren't owned by a real estate development trust or company. Landlords would need to provide a 90-day written notice before increasing rent. Senator Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, the representative who proposed the amendment to raise the limit, argued that 7% is too limiting. 'A 7% cap, I think, is dangerous. I hope I'm wrong,' Shewmake said during the Senate floor debate. 'I'm worried, at a time of turmoil and change, that we can see a lessening of supply, and that when people have to move for various reasons, because they got a job, or they moved out, or they moved in, they're going to face a worse rental market.' This is the furthest rent cap legislation has gone in Washington, according to The Washington State Standard. Last year, a rent cap bill couldn't advance past the Senate Ways & Means Committee after passing the House. The bill now is sent back to the House to weigh in and approve the changes made in the Senate. If it passes there, it goes to the governor's desk. If signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, the proposal would go into effect immediately. The legislative session has reached its final two weeks, with plenty of legislation to sort through until then.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington state bill would set new standards for wood stoves
() A Washington state Senate committee advanced a proposal Friday morning to update the rules around wood stoves. Democratic supporters of the bill argue it will promote better air quality, while Republican opponents are concerned it could make lives harder. Voted on by the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology, Senate Bill 5174 would update the state's air quality standards around wood-burning devices like wood stoves and fireplaces. Requested by the Department of Ecology, the agency would issue standards that match those published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 'as it existed on January 1, 2025,' according to the bill. The legislation states Washington's current regulations 'are weaker than those put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency.' If the EPA were to adopt standards that are less stringent than those from January 1, 2025, the bill says the Department of Ecology 'must retain the more stringent statewide emission standards.' Prime sponsor state Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, said the standards would only apply to new wood-burning devices, and existing devices would not have to be changed or removed. 'My intention was never to take away anyone's wood stoves,' she said ahead of the committee vote. 'Wood stoves are a great source of heat, especially in rural areas. If you're willing to put some arm energy into it, they can even be free heat. Shewmake said the bill would implement a voluntary program for manufacturers to certify their devices meet federal standards. 'We need to make sure that they're clean,' she said. 'A voluntary program would allow people to see that they are actually passing the standards that they claim to be passing.' An earlier version of the legislation initially required the state to create a mandatory certification process, as a federal report raised questions about whether devices were burning as cleanly as claimed. 'The OIG found that EPA is approving deficient test reports, lacks robust oversight, fails to address known violations and allows non-compliant devices to be sold,' said Kathy Taylor with the Department of Ecology. 'These flaws in EPA's oversight program puts families in Washington at risk of buying what appears to be a cleaner wood stove, but in reality is a stove that might harm their health or contribute to unhealthy air quality in their community.' Republican senators argued the bill would overregulate wood stoves and make a crucial heat source more expensive, ultimately leading to a ban on them. State Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, questioned whether the Department of Ecology could meet the responsibilities outlined in the bill. ''Ecology doesn't have the bandwidth for this,' she said. 'They don't have the knowledge base. I don't think they are prepared for this.' Short also expressed concern the bill reduces consumer confidence in trusted manufacturers. 'It's actually made me very frustrated that, okay, if there's an issue with EPA, let's deal with it. Let's better understand that before you go after an entire industry,' she said. She offered an amendment to change the legislation, but it failed. The updated standards ultimately passed out of committee on a party-line vote. They now move to the Senate Committee on Rules for their consideration of whether to bring the bill to a floor vote. This article was produced as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program, a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA legislative committee advances new standards on wood stoves
The Brief Senate Bill 5174 aims to align Washington's air quality standards for wood stoves with those published by the EPA. The bill will only apply to new stoves being built, not ones that are already in people's homes. OLYMPIA, Wash. - A Senate committee advanced a proposal Friday morning to update the rules around wood stoves. Democratic supporters of the bill argue it will promote better air quality, while Republican opponents are concerned it could make lives harder. Voted on by the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology, Senate Bill 5174 would update the state's air quality standards around wood burning devices like wood stoves and fireplaces. Requested by the Department of Ecology, the agency would issue standards that match those published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "as it existed on January 1, 2025," according to the bill. The legislation states Washington's current regulations "are weaker than those put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency." If the EPA were to adopt standards that are less stringent than those from January 1, 2025, the bill says the Department of Ecology "must retain the more stringent statewide emission standards." Big picture view Prime sponsor State Senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) said the standards would only apply to new wood burning devices, and existing devices would not have to be changed or removed. "My intention was never to take away anyone's wood stoves," she said ahead of the committee vote. "Wood stoves are a great source of heat, especially in rural areas. If you're willing to put some arm energy into it, they can even be free heat. Shewmake said the bill would implement a voluntary program for manufacturers to certify their devices meet federal standards. "We need to make sure that they're clean," she said. "A voluntary program would allow people to see that they are actually passing the standards that they claim to be passing." An earlier version of the legislation initially required the state to create a mandatory certification process, as a federal report raised questions about whether devices were burning as cleanly as claimed. Local perspective "The OIG found that EPA is approving deficient test reports, lacks robust oversight, fails to address known violations and allows non-compliant devices to be sold," said Kathy Taylor with the Department of Ecology. "These flaws in EPA's oversight program puts families in Washington at risk of buying what appears to be a cleaner wood stove, but in reality is a stove that might harm their health or contribute to unhealthy air quality in their community." Republican senators argued the bill would overregulate wood stoves and make a crucial heat source more expensive, ultimately leading to a ban on them. State Senator Shelly Short (R-Addy) questioned whether the Department of Ecology could meet the responsibilities outlined in the bill. "Ecology doesn't have the bandwidth for this," she said. "They don't have the knowledge base. I don't think they are prepared for this." Short also expressed concern the bill reduces consumer confidence in trusted manufacturers. "It's actually made me very frustrated that, okay, if there's an issue with EPA, let's deal with it. Let's better understand that before you go after an entire industry," she said. She offered an amendment to change the legislation, but it failed. The updated standards ultimately passed out of committee on a party-line vote. They now move to the Senate Committee on Rules for their consideration of whether to bring the bill to a floor vote. 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 comes from original reporting by Murrow News fellow Albert James. Politics: WA Senate passes changes to parental rights in education Local: Japan Airlines plane clips tail of Delta plane at Sea-Tac Travel: Here's when you'll need REAL ID to get through US airport security Food: New restaurants coming to Seattle in 2025 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
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Are WA Democrats really considering a ban on wood-burning fireplaces and wood stoves?
Washington's Department of Ecology is 'clearing the air' on a bill that aims to cut back on pollution. Senate Bill 5174, requested by the department, would ensure that new wood-burning devices — think: woodstoves and fireplaces — can't be installed unless they meet certain certification requirements and emission standards. Sponsored by state Sen. Sharon Shewmake, a Bellingham Democrat, the bill would also restrict sales of outdated woodstoves. The proposal has fired up some critics who claim that it amounts to a wood-stove ban. Not so, according to the Department of Ecology. 'Importantly, nothing in the bill would ban the use of wood stoves — or require homeowners to replace an existing wood stove,' a department news release reads. 'The legislation would only apply to new wood stoves sold in Washington.' Wood-stove performance standards are weaker in Washington than they are at the federal level, the agency wrote. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges that its own testing and certification program for wood stoves isn't up to snuff. SB 5174 would align the two sets of standards and grant the state Ecology Department authority to 'double check whether stoves really meet the standards.' Prolonged exposure to air pollution from wood-burning devices can lead to lung and heart problems, the department says. Modern wood stoves emit significantly less pollution and smoke. The bill would not force homeowners to remove or replace their current wood-burning devices, nor would it amount to a ban on sales. But if someone wants to upgrade their old model, then the department may assist in funding that purchase via turn-in and replacement programs. Shewmake emphasized in a public hearing late last month that the bill is meant to protect the health of Washingtonians. 'To be clear, I do support wood stoves, and I'm not interested in ripping out anybody's wood stove,' she said. 'This is about making sure that wood stoves that are sold in the future are standing up to their obligations from the federal legislation.' SB 5174 was scheduled for a Feb. 7 executive session but no action was taken. It is now slated for an executive session Feb. 14 in the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, which Shewmake chairs.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees claim infielder Braden Shewmake off waivers from Royals
The Yankees are adding some depth to their infield mix, claiming Braden Shewmake off waivers from the Royals. Shewmake, 27, hit .125/.134/.203 in 67 plate appearances over 29 games for the White Sox last season. He got his first taste of the majors in 2023, when he had four plate appearances for the Braves. Shewmake, who has played shortstop, third base, and second base in the bigs, has been added to New York's 40-man roster. The expectation heading into Spring Training is that the infield this season will be made up of Paul Goldschmidt at first base, Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base, and Anthony Volpe at shortstop. Manager Aaron Boone recently said that third base could be handled by a combination of Oswaldo Cabrera, DJ LeMahieu, and Oswald Peraza. In addition to claiming Shewmake, the Yanks also added right-handed reliever Owen White off waivers from the Reds. White, 25, has pitched in 7.0 innings over five games for the Rangers over the last two seasons after making his big league debut in 2023.
