Washington Legislature | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

County Manager Ramiro Chavez said election data as of press time shows that 55.1% voted to increase elected county commissioners from three to five, while 44.9% voted against the proposition.

County and Port set public hearings on new district boundaries

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) set a public hearing for the proposed five County Commissioners District boundary lines on Wednesday, December 7, waiving the 20-day public hearing … more

By JC Medina | 11/23/22

Local voting pamphlets and ballots are already arriving for General Election for Thurston County.

Follow the Thurston County election debates

Thurston Community Media (TCMedia) has teamed up with the League of Women Voters to bring us local candidate forums videos and coverage. Scroll down for one-click access to seven … more

By Sage Hamilton | 11/7/22 | 2 comments

Voter Registration Deadlines for the November 8 General Election

Below are the voter registration deadlines for the November 8 General Election in Thurston County. Through Monday, October 31, 2022: Last day for remote registrations and updates … more

Diana Benson, Thurston County Chief Deputy Auditor | 10/25/22

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland during the Congress Subcommittee for Indigenous People of the United States, September 14, 2022.

Congress mulls bill granting 99-year leasing rights for Chehalis tribe

Congress mulls bill of 99-year leasing rights for Chehalis tribe By Edwin Oscar U. Gutierrez, Jr. Washington Congress’ Natural Resources met on September 14 to hear testimony on HR 6564, … more

By Edwin Oscar U. Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/15/22

Primary election ballots were due by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2.

Early primary election results show some clear winners

Primary elections were held throughout Washington on Tuesday, August 2, and results for many Thurston County races appear to be settled. That’s because we have a “Top Two” system … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/2/22 | 1 comment

This is the cover of the new Voters' Pamphlet.

Check your mail: Voter's Pamphlets are on their way

Thurston County’s official list of candidates for the primary election on August 2 is arriving now in mailboxes all over the county. Included: a message from Chief Deputy Auditor Diana … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 7/8/22

Olympia city attorney Mark Barber described the ordinance that prohibits open carry of guns at locations of public meetings on June 21, 2022.

Olympia restricts open carry firearms in city hall, other locations

The Olympia City council approved an ordinance that echos a new state law prohibiting open carry of firearms and other weapons in city hall, council chambers or any locations used in connection with … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/22/22 | 3 comments

This is the window at the Hometown Property Management building that was broken by two men who attempted to set the building on fire on June 13, 2022.

INTERVIEW: Rep. Andrew Barkis speaks about early-morning attack at his multi-use building

Early last Monday, two masked men broke a window at Hometown Property Management, a business owned by State Rep. Andrew Barkis (WA-District 2, R) and attempted to set the building on … more

By Danny Stusser | 6/22/22 | 2 comments

This is a close-up of a police body camera similar in function to what police throughout Washington will be using, according to new laws passed by the legislature in 2021.

Olympia City authorizes police to acquire body cameras

Olympia’s City Council has authorized the Olympia Police Department (OPD) to acquire and use body-worn cameras and car video systems in compliance with Washington State’s RCW 10.109.2021, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/11/22

Debora Munguia, of Capitol Consulting, and Carl Schroeder, Deputy Government Relations Director for the Association of Washington Cities, give an update to Olympia City Planning Commission on key legislation on transportation and energy systems April 18

Olympia Planning Commission gets update on transportation and energy bills passed

Olympia’s lobbyists met with the city’s City Planning Commission April 18 to provide updates on legislation they describe “would revolutionize the trends in the transportation and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/19/22 | 1 comment

Cops cannot engage in pursuits as SB 5919 fails, says TPD chief

Tumwater Police Chief Jon Weiks expressed concerns about the police’s limited authority to engage in pursuits as Senate Bill 5919 failed to get support for a vote. SB 5919 would have allowed … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/15/22

Washington State bans high-capacity gun magazines

The 2022 Washington State Legislature tackled the controversial subject of banning high capacity magazines for weapons in Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5078. The Senate took up the debate on Feb. … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/29/22 | 2 comments

Active shooter drills banned in Washington schools

During the 2022 Washington State Legislature, lawmakers worked to prohibit the usage of active shooter drills, including conducting lockdown drills, by schools, which include simulations of or … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/28/22 | 1 comment

Affirm Washington Abortion Access Act

The 2022 Washington State Legislature debated the ability for a pregnant individual to access abortion care with Engrossed House Bill 1851. The Affirm Washington Abortion Access Act reconfirms … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/25/22

House stalls on bill granting emergency powers to governor vs pandemic

During the 2022 Washington State Legislature, lawmakers debated Senate Bill 5909, which concerned oversight of the gubernatorial powers for emergency proclamations such as the COVID-19 emergency. The … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/24/22

Bill on midwives passes House and Senate

The 2022 Washington State Legislature dealt with the subject of the practice of midwifery with Substitute Senate Bill 5765. The bill was heard on the Senate Floor on February 14 where concerns about … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/23/22

Bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings waiting on the governor's desk

During the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session, lawmakers debated the issue of how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings with Substitute Senate Bill 5722. The Senate heard the bill on … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/22/22

Looking back at the debate on added revenue sources for regional transit authority areas

One of the more contentious pieces of legislation in the 2022 Washington State Legislature was SSB 5528, which concerned the imposition of additive revenue sources within a regional transit authority … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/21/22

Senate rejects bill on homelessness

One bill that did not pass beyond the Senate during the 2022 Washington State Legislature, was Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5662, which would have created intergovernmental coordination to … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/18/22

Legislature passed bill to reallocate cannabis tax revenues

Legislators developed a restructuring of cannabis revenue appropriations with Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5796. The bill was first heard on the floor of the Senate on February 14. The … more

3/17/22