Government

SEATTLE – Emily Alvarado (D-West Seattle) was selected by the King County Council Tuesday to replace former Sen. Joe Nguyễn, who was recently selected to lead the Washington State Department of Commerce. Alvarado was sworn into office shortly after. 

“I’m honored to step into this new role and continue to serve my community,” Alvarado said. “Let’s get to work to make life better for the people of Washington.”  

Alvarado was elected to the state House in 2022 to represent the 34th Legislative District, which includes West Seattle, Vashon Island, White Center, and west Burien. Since then, she has led on issues such as housing access and affordability, economic opportunity, high-quality public education and child care, reproductive justice, and breaking the cycle of poverty.  

Before joining the Legislature, Alvarado served as the director of the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing, an executive with a national affordable housing nonprofit, and as professional staff at Planned Parenthood. She is an attorney who graduated from the University of Washington School of Law and has also worked as a community organizer.   

In the Senate, Alvarado will serve as vice chair of the Housing Committee and a member of the Labor & Commerce and Transportation committees. 

Donations to Team Rubicon will be Matched Dollar-for-Dollar by PXG with Support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- PXG, the global golf equipment and apparel brand, has announced a significant commitment to match donations...

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VETS is recognized for exceptional impact, transparency, and leadership among thousands of charities nationwide SAN DIEGO, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), a leading non-profit organization dedicated to ending the veteran suicide epidemic,...

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Episcopal Relief & Development welcomes and supports Episcopal congregations to learn more about the organization's work by hosting an Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday. NEW YORK , Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Episcopal congregations are invited to observe Episcopal Relief &...

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Clinical-stage medical device company receives new patent for advanced laser intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) technology designed to address the global challenge of calcified arteries. MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- FastWave Medical, a leading innovator in advanced...

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Initiative Offers Premium TV and Sports Programming at Special Rates, Along with Donations to Empower Tribes and Their Chosen Cause PHOENIX, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- DLM Media, a leader in customized television and entertainment solutions, has introduced a new program to...

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Fenway Health is committed to working with our patients, their families, our partner organizations, elected officials, and the communities we serve to ensure that the changing political and regulatory context does not negatively affect lifesaving care and services BOSTON, Jan. 21, 2025...

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The lawsuit alleges Core Analytics Radiology violated the California Labor Code by failing to provide its employees with meal and rest periods. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The San Diego labor law attorneys at Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC, filed a...

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Mark Carney debuted his bid for federal Liberal leadership in candidate in Canada, on The Daily Show, talking climate and Canadian wildfire emissions, says Friends of Science Society. Days prior, BlackRock withdrew from Carney's "GFANZ," the financial alliance meant to achieve Net Zero...

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Gibson Gives and The Guitar Center Music Foundation bring together over 20 manufacturers to raise funds and help rebuild the lives of those in the Los Angeles music community who have lost their instruments and gear destroyed by the fires Leading MI manufacturers AKG, AlphaTheta/Pioneer,...

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Rally4Vets proudly announces Toyota as the presenting sponsor for the 2025 Presidential Inaugural Ball, an elegant event on January 20, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C., celebrating veterans and raising funds for mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. Toyota's...

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Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network is honored to announce Lyft as the official transportation sponsor for the upcoming Rally4Vets Inaugural Ball, scheduled for January 20, 2025, at The Fairmont Hotel in Georgetown. Lyft's generous support will provide complimentary rides for all VIP...

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Since 2022, through the Greatest Baker competition, Colossal has raised over $6 million to help provide financial and emotional support to over 4,100 families of children fighting cancer across the nation. PHOENIX, Jan. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Colossal, a leading professional...

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Program Will Offer 16 Recent Humanities PhDs the Opportunity to Join Social Justice Organizations Across the Country NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) announces the seventh competition for Leading Edge Fellowships, made possible...

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In response to the devastating wildfires affecting Los Angeles County, Mani Brothers Real Estate Group has announced a $50,000 donation to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The funds will support the Fire Department's Emergency Operations, providing critical resources to manage and...

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Plans4Less.com announces a "Plan" for helping California residents and business owners rebuild, offering discounts on their services while donating a portion of all sales to the California Fire Fund. As a leader in Reprographics and Blueprinting services, Plans4Less is dedicated to making...

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OLYMPIA – Former Battle Ground Mayor Adrian Cortes was sworn into the Washington State Senate Monday. 

“It’s an honor to represent the 18th Legislative District, and I look forward to bringing our southwest Washington values to Olympia,” Cortes (D-Battle Ground) said. “As mayor of Battle Ground, I worked to improve the residents’ lives by cutting utility taxes, making investments in public safety and roads, and passing a fiscally responsible budget. I’m ready to get to work on behalf of the 18th Legislative District, collaborating with my Senate colleagues to increase funding for schools and early learning, enhance transportation infrastructure, and support investment in our state’s small business community.” 

Cortes previously served on the Battle Ground Planning Commission and was later elected to the Battle Ground City Council for three terms. He served as Battle Ground mayor from 2020 to 2021. 

Cortes moved to the 18th Legislative District when he was 6 years old and has lived there ever since. He is a second career teacher and now works for the Camas School District, teaching special education.  

Cortes will serve as vice chair of the Business, Financial Services & Trade Committee and a member of the Early Learning & K-12 Education and Transportation committees. The 18th Legislative District includes Battle Ground, Felida, Salmon Creek, Hazel Dell, Orchards, and parts of unincorporated Brush Prairie. 

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OLYMPIA — Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Federal Way) filed three bills Wednesday aimed at increasing comprehensive student civil rights protections and accountability measures for districts intentionally violating Washington state law.  

SB 5179 adds needed accountability at the school district level by directing the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish procedures to investigate and address complaints against school districts intentionally violating state law, including creating a compliance action plan for the district. The bill focuses on ensuring school districts comply with laws that cover issues of civil rights (including discrimination and sexual harassment), harassment, intimidation, bullying, curriculum requirements, the use of restraint and isolation, and student discipline. The bill also requires school board directors take an oath swearing to support and uphold Washington state law and allows for those found intentionally violating it to be recalled. 

SB 5180 ensures fundamental protections for a student’s right to a safe, civil, and respectful learning community by outlining the specific policy requirements around creating a gender inclusive environment. The bill effectively prevents districts from selecting which policies to follow while protecting teachers from retaliation. 

SB 5181 aligns the 2024 parental rights in public education bill with current state law. This includes adding all protected classes under nondiscrimination laws, revising timelines for notifications, and modifying the definition of an official education record to better align with the standard definition used by all states. The bill preserves the core of the parental rights bill passed late in the 2024 legislative session while adjusting key provisions in order to eliminate ambiguity and overly broad terminology to aide districts with implementation.  

“Everyone deserves a safe space to be themselves. For many, school is that space. Amid a national mental health crisis and a tragic increase in youth homelessness — both contributing to a growing demand in services — it’s time to rise to the occasion and enact protective, proactive legislation that ensures student success,” Wilson said. “We must also protect teachers from retaliation for doing the jobs we have entrusted them do — teaching curriculum reflective and inclusive of the world around us and providing that safe space necessary for students to flourish.” 

The three bills will be heard during the second week of the 2025 legislative session in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.  

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Sens. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles) will take on new roles following a vote of the Senate Democratic Caucus Wednesday. 

Shewmake will chair the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, while Chapman will chair the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.  

The moves come following the departure of former Sen. Joe Nguyễn (D-White Center), who was recently appointed to head the Department of Commerce by Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson. 

“I’m honored to have been named chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee,” Shewmake said. “I’m ready to work alongside my colleagues and Washington’s communities to expand our clean energy sector, create new green manufacturing jobs, fight climate change and safeguard our environment. We don’t have to choose between a healthy planet and a strong economy. We can — and must — have both.” 

“It’s a real honor to be selected for this position,” said Chapman, who also chaired the same committee in the House of Representatives the past four years. “Washington’s agricultural and natural resource economy are a crucial part of our state’s history, culture and rural development. I look forward to doing everything I can to help folks earn a living in every corner of the state.” 

Changes to Senate standing committees can be found here and are listed in red. 

The 105-day 2025 legislative session begins Monday.  

SEATTLE – Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue) was selected by the King County Council Wednesday to replace former Sen. Patty Kuderer, who was recently elected to serve as Washington’s insurance commissioner. Slatter was sworn into office shortly after. 

“It’s a privilege to serve the 48th Legislative District in this new role,” Slatter said. “I look forward to continuing to be a champion for higher education, workforce development, new technologies, and the health of our communities.” 

Slatter was appointed to the House of Representatives in 2017 to serve the 48th Legislative District, which includes parts of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and all of Clyde Hill, Medina, Yarrow Point and Hunts Point. Since then, she has been a leader on key policy issues such as postsecondary education, reproductive health, technology and climate change. 

While in the House, Slatter passed important legislation, including expanding access to postsecondary education for low-income students, protecting the reproductive and health data of those seeking care, creating the Washington Health Corps to connect medical professionals with underserved communities, and ensuring Washington’s emission reduction targets align with science. 

Prior to joining the Washington State Legislature, she served as a Bellevue city councilmember. Slatter is a licensed pharmacist in Washington state, and for over 20 years, was a clinical scientist at multiple leading biotech companies. She also worked as a hospital pharmacist at Battle Creek Health Systems in Michigan. In 2007, Slatter was appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire to a four-year term on the Washington State Board of Pharmacy. 

The 105-day 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 13.

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Following congressional passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Washington State Legislative LGBTQ Caucus issued the following statement:

“We are beyond saddened to see our federal colleagues limit access to gender-affirming health care for dependents of those serving our nation in the armed forces. Access to necessary medical care should never be viewed as a political issue. Washington state remains a leader in protecting trans youth, and we will continue to act to protect the civil rights of transgender and queer people, including access to gender-affirming health care.

“The LGBTQ Caucus has led on the front to protect LGBTQ+ youth by:

• banning conversion therapy (SB 5722),
• creating the Washington State LGBTQ Commission (SB 5356),
• strengthening hate crime laws (HB 1732),
• fighting bullying against transgender students (SB 5689),
• banning gender expression discrimination by most health providers (SB 5602),
• guaranteeing our schools provide inclusive, comprehensive sexual education (SB 5395),
• ensuring people can access essential gender-affirming care (SB 5313),
• authorizing courts to waive auditor’s fees for name changes (HB 1961),
• providing safe accommodations for young people seeking health care, like gender-affirming care (SB 5599),
• expanding the definition of family member to include structures more common to trans and queer communities (SB 5793, SB 5097),
• creating a hate crimes hotline (SB 5427),
• requiring school districts to teach the histories and contributions of historically marginalized groups (SB 5462), and
• allowing students to report abuses and ethics violations by those entrusted to teach and care for them (HB 1239).

“During the upcoming 2025 legislative session, we will continue our fight to protect essential freedoms — like civil rights and health care access — for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, especially as trans young people come under attack. We will continue to make Washington a place where LGBTQ+ individuals and their families can find freedom and joy (link to article). A state that is livable and safe for LGBTQ+ people fosters business growth and ensures everyone benefits from the freedoms they deserve.”

The Washington State Legislative LGBTQ Caucus is composed of legislators from the LGBTQ+ community and co-chaired by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) and Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Seattle). For interviews or more information, contact communications officer Dee Gilson at dee.gilson@leg.wa.gov or 360.786.7899.

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