Local Politics | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Olympia City Council members and community advocates gathered at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the city’s first gay rights law, which was adopted in 1986.

Olympia City Council honors 40 years of gay rights

The 40th anniversary of Olympia's first gay rights law was recognized with a proclamation honoring a 1986 ordinance that protected ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/29/26 | 6 comments

The proposed budget for Lacey decreases to $245.5 million in 2027 from $274.6 million in 2026.

2027 spending plan weighs in at $245.5 million for City of Lacey

Lacey residents and business owners who review the proposed spending plan for 2027 are going to find a slimmed down budget ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/27/26

City Attorney Dave Schneider administered the oath of office to newly appointed Lacey City Council member Kim Sauer during a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.

Lacey City Council appoints Kim Sauer to fill vacant position on governing body

The City of Lacey has a new council member. The Lacey City Council appointed Kim Sauer, a state government employee with more than 25 years of public ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/22/26

Olympia Community Engagement Program Specialist Margo Morales presented a proposed toolkit of community engagement methods during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.

Olympia City Council votes to end 3 advisory bodies, plans new approaches to community engagement

A trio of advisory bodies are going to sunset, while another one is going be restructured, after a year-long evaluation of the groups in ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/21/26 | 6 comments

The Olympia City Council and Mayor Dontae Payne. Top row: Robert Vanderpool, left, Clark Gilman, Yến Huỳnh and Kelly Green. Bottom row: Dani Madrone, Payne and Paul Berendt.

Legislative agenda targets funding for housing, road improvements in Olympia

State funding for environmental and transportation projects, as well as housing and homelessness services, have emerged as legislative priorities ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/19/26 | 4 comments

Olympia City Council to weigh in on resolutions related to November ballot

The Olympia City Council will consider resolutions related to one regional proposition and two statewide initiatives on the Nov. 3 General Election ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/2/26 | 4 comments

The Lacey City Council Chambers inside of Lacey City Hall at 420 College St. SE.

Lacey City Council to screen 29 applicants for vacant seat

Twenty-nine people applied to fill the Lacey City Council seat vacated by Nicolas Martinez-Dunning, but not all of them are guaranteed an interview ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/25/26

Tumwater City Hall is located at 555 Israel Road in Tumwater.

Tumwater City Council reviews budget requests from police, fire departments

The Tumwater City Council embarked on an initial review of funding requests from the police and fire departments, as the governing body moved toward ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/15/26 | 1 comment

Lacey City Council members reviewed the appointment process for the vacant Position 3 seat during a council meeting on Aug. 18, 2026.

Lacey City Council seeks Position 3 replacement, reviews selection process

The Lacey City Council has opened the application window for the vacant Position 3 seat, beginning a selection process that must lead to an ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/26/26 | 1 comment

Lacey City Council members recognized Nicolas Martinez-Dunning following the acceptance of his resignation at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

Martinez-Dunning resigns from Lacey City Council as bid for higher office moves forward

Amid a brewing fall battle for higher office, Lacey City Councilman Nicolas Martinez-Dunning resigned from his Position 3 seat after ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/21/26 | 17 comments

Representatives of the Thurston Conservation District delivered a presentation to the Tumwater City Council  about their programs and a proposal to increase rates at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2026.

Thurston Conservation District asks Tumwater for support in effort to increase rates

The Thurston Conservation District turned to the Tumwater City Council for support as it seeks to increase ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/21/26 | 7 comments

Olympia Public Works Director Mark Russell presented a 10-year waste collection rate projection during a city council study session on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

Olympia City Council favors keeping city-run waste collection

The Olympia City Council showed little interest in pursuing privatization of solid waste collection earlier this week, instead directing staff to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/19/26 | 8 comments

Huntamer Park is located at 618 Woodland Square Loop SE in the Midtown District of Lacey.

Huntamer Park upgrades lead Lacey’s draft federal grant plan

Sidewalk and accessibility improvements at Huntamer Park stand to receive the largest share of funding under the City of Lacey’s 2026 Community ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/16/26

The City of Olympia’s proposed timeline for workers’ affordability and workplace protections study includes research and stakeholder outreach in 2026.

Phased workers' affordability review moves forward in Olympia

The Olympia City Council directed staff to move forward with a phased process to study workers’ affordability and workplace protections over ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/15/26 | 3 comments

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia, as seen in January 2026.

Olympia mayor addresses 'The Jungle' encampment transition plan

As a regional transition team moves forward with a phased approach to close “The Jungle” encampment in Olympia, Mayor Dontae ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/7/26 | 10 comments

A vanpool at Timberland Regional Library in Tumwater.

Tumwater extends operating agreement with Timberland Regional Library

The Tumwater City Council extended an agreement with the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) through the end of the year, while negotiations ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/19/26

After a lengthy debate over the city’s grant process, the Olympia City Council approved more than $3 million in Inspire Olympia Program funding for 85 local organizations at a meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Olympia City Council approves over $3M in Inspire Olympia grants after lengthy debate

The Olympia City Council approved more than $3 million in cultural grants after a lengthy debate over transparency, oversight and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/18/26 | 1 comment

Olympia Finance Director Mike Githens presented a slide outlining the potential impact of a levy lid lift during an Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Levy lid lift could help Olympia deal with rising costs, budget issues

A levy lid lift may be needed in the years ahead in order to help the City of Olympia deal with rising costs, constrained revenue growth ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/16/26 | 4 comments

The Lacey City Council reviewed three proposed municipal code amendments at a work session on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Lacey City Council reviews business tax, developer and licensing code changes

Proposed subsection language for Lacey’s business and occupation tax code sparked questions over whether it addresses a gap or ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/12/26

Olympia City Council members discussed and approved a new park impact fee methodology at a meeting on June 2, 2026. The updated system will scale impact fees based on residential unit size.

Olympia City Council approves new park impact fee methodology

The Olympia City Council approved a new park impact fee methodology that will scale fees based on the size of residential ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/10/26 | 8 comments