By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate Week two of the 2026 short legislative session was marked by intense activity as lawmakers worked within a highly compressed short session timeline. In a short session, bills have only 24 days to be introduced, heard in committee, potentially amended, and voted on before […]
Legislative Session Update: Week 2 (January 19-23, 2026) Read More »
By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate The first week of the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session is complete, as lawmakers returned to Olympia for what is expected to be a fast-moving, 60-day session shaped by several powerful forces: a sharpened progressive edge following the 2025 special elections, a deeply challenging
Legislative Session Update: Week 1 (January 12-16, 2026) Read More »
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW We just launched the 2026 State Legislative Agenda. It is used to advocate in Olympia on behalf of the Spokane region. Priorities in the agenda will help address business climate and taxation, transportation projects, drug pricing, and healthcare workforce shortages. Advocating for the Spokane Region Each year, GSI and a
Launching Our 2026 State Legislative Agenda Read More »
By John Somerlott, Legislative Assistant, Greater Spokane Inc. Talk. Vote. Sign. Law. If you wanted to distill the legislative process into four words, these might do it. The talking, voting, and signing wrapped up just one week ago. On May 20th, the Governor had his final day to sign bills into law and make his
2025 State Legislative Wrap-Up Read More »
By John Somerlott, Legislative Assistant, Greater Spokane Inc. As the legislature officially adjourned on Sine Die, April 27, a busy session covering serious challenges was moved to the Governor’s hands. Although the Governor has already signed many bills into law, the fate of the most significant ones—namely, the budget and revenue proposals—remains undetermined. The Legislature
2025 State Legislative Session Read More »
By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate The 2025 Washington State legislative session has been one of the most tumultuous and emotionally charged sessions in recent memory, marked by significant political tension, major fiscal challenges, and the deaths of two beloved legislators. From the opening days, the atmosphere was fraught with
Legislative Update: Session Wrap-up Read More »
By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate The legislature is heading into the final week of the regular session, constitutionally scheduled to end on Sunday, April 27. This week, the majorities introduced a revised revenue package, held public hearings and voted on bills that raise taxes and implement budgets. The legislature
Legislative Session Update: Week 14 (April 14-18, 2025) Read More »
By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate Tuesday, April 8 was the deadline for bills to be voted out of fiscal committees, and the legislative process now enters its next phase. Both the House and Senate will shift their focus to floor debates, caucus, and conference committee negotiations as they work
Legislative Session Update: Week 13 (April 7-11, 2025) Read More »
By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate As the iconic campus cherry blossoms bloom and the deadline for bills to be voted out of fiscal committees approaches on Tuesday, April 8, the Washington State Legislature is entering the final stretch of the 2025 regular session. This marks a crucial phase in
Legislative Session Update: Week 12 (March 31-April 4, 2025) Read More »
By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate There is just one month left of the 2025 regular legislative session, and the deadline for bills to be voted out of policy committees is Wednesday, April 2. After this date, there is a very tight six-day turnaround for bills that have an impact
Legislative Session Update: Week 11 – March 24-28, 2025 Read More »
