The House and Senate have unveiled their respective operating budget proposals that, while increasing state spending, didn’t rely on new taxes. Democratic leaders in the House had hinted at raising the state’s real estate excise tax as part of their efforts to fund affordable housing. That proposal, House Bill 1628,...

Addressing housing supply and costs continues to be a focal point for the Legislature. Although high-profile policies, such as reforms to housing provider-tenant law have recently been approved, there is still work needed to fix disparities between rural and urban development. State Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, has sponsored bipartisan...

Housing costs aren’t an issue only in urban western Washington, as extremely low vacancy rates also mean a short supply of affordable housing in many eastern Washington cities. State Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake has introduced legislation to boost affordable housing production east of the Cascade Mountains under a local...