Investigations Over a third of WA’s job safety fines are reduced after appeals One company negotiated a $1.3M reduction with the state’s safety agency after a worker’s hand was crushed, following multiple other violations. by Lizz Giordano / January 5, 2024
Investigations Legislators are shaping their staff’s collective bargaining rights But workers it would affect can’t weigh in. Ethics rules prevent them from lobbying on bills — even ones that would define their ability to unionize. by Lizz Giordano / January 24, 2024
Politics No increased WA gas tax in 'unprecedented' $16.8B transportation budget As vehicles change and with more available money, lawmakers look for other ways to fund transportation improvements. by Lizz Giordano / March 3, 2022
News WA transit agencies say federal relief funds were distributed unfairly The federal government sent $2 billion to help keep regional transit alive. But the debate over how to spend that money is contentious. by Lizz Giordano / February 15, 2022
News New rules put Puget Sound's urban trees in private hands Because the majority of the region's trees are in residential neighborhoods, responsibility for maintaining canopy coverage is shifting to homeowners. by Lizz Giordano / August 31, 2022
News Will enough Seattle workers return to commuting by bus? Those who have been working from home during the pandemic have a decision to make, and it will have a profound impact on public transit in the region. by Lizz Giordano / June 8, 2021
News Washington experiments with guaranteed basic income A handful of programs across the state are piloting efforts to give families a regular check to help them make ends meet. by Lizz Giordano / June 7, 2022
News Hyperlocal community councils pack a lot of power As Puget Sound becomes denser, some community groups have unusual authority to veto land-use decisions within their neighborhoods, but won't for long. by Lizz Giordano / May 24, 2022
News Making Seattle safer for walking and cycling is proving difficult A so-called Vision Zero city, Seattle has a lofty goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The city has averaged about 20 deaths a year over the past decade. by Lizz Giordano / August 17, 2021
Politics In a changing Eastside, who will control the state Senate? The farmers market at Sammamish City Hall. by Lizz Giordano / July 19, 2017