This week on The Capitol Buzz Headlines with Hanna Scott…
Senate Democrats advanced a proposed state income tax over unanimous Republican opposition, while House Republicans prepare for a Finance Committee hearing on Senate Bill 6346. Meanwhile, an effort by Representative Travis Couture to bring bipartisan child protection bills to the House floor was blocked by majority Democrats, likely ending the measures for the session after more than 100 child deaths or near-deaths in recent years linked to adult fentanyl abuse.
Democrats also passed legislation Republicans warn could discourage new data center construction and shift family-wage jobs out of rural Washington communities. In addition, a bill from Representative Joshua Penner to penalize drivers who ignore emergency road closures and interfere with first responders is now under consideration in the Senate following House approval.
The Capitol Buzz Radio Headlines program is a roundup of state legislative news sent out each week on Fridays during the 2026 legislative session from Washington House Republicans for broadcast on radio stations across Washington.