SUGGESTED LEAD: A House committee has approved a bill that would help essential workers achieve home ownership in Washington state. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: (:39) It’s called the “Homes for Heroes” program. Kennewick Republican Representative April Connors is the prime sponsor. 

CONNORS: (:09) “And it is a down payment assistance program for law enforcement officers, health care workers, and social workers – those kind of folks that need help getting into our communities.”

SATTGAST: Veterans and active-duty service members would also be eligible to participate.
 
CONNORS: (:10) “It is for lower-level paid workers that are coming in and they do have to pay it back if they sell their house, if they refinance their house, if they rent their house, the money goes back to the state of Washington.”

SATTGAST: House Bill 1022 passed the House Housing Committee on Thursday. It has the support of Governor Bob Ferguson. John Sattgast, the state Capitol.

01-19-25 - RADIO REPORT: Connors' 'Home for Heroes' bill wins House committee approval

Reps. Hunter Abell and Rep. Andrew Engell join Sen. Shelly Short for a 2025 session review with Tracy Ellis on KOMW radio. They discuss their priorities, wolf bills, the budget shortfall, public safety, housing, and more!

01-20-25 - RADIO: 7th District lawmakers join Tracy Ellis on KOMW’s “Live From Olympia” weekly show.

A look ahead at the week's events at the Washington State Capitol from Washington House Republicans.

03-14-25 - Capitol Calendar (For March 17-21)

In a recent interview on KIRO Radio, Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, raised concerns about proposed tax increases being reintroduced in new forms despite claims they were off the table. He criticized plans to expand the state’s capital gains tax, increase local property taxes, and raise B&O and sales taxes—arguing these are unnecessary given the state's budget surplus and slow economic growth. Walsh emphasized the need for fiscal restraint and transparency in Olympia's budgeting process.

04-23-25  - RADIO: Rep. Jim Walsh sounds alarm on hidden tax hikes in KIRO interview

Five 17-year-old juvenile inmates were charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 17-year-old Christopher Peterman during Memorial Day 1982 in the Ada County Jail in Boise, Idaho. Peterman was jailed for failure to pay about $65 in traffic fines. The suspects included Richard B. Engie, Andy D. Anderson, Randall McKeown, Sean Matthews and Joseph Khran.  KIDO's John Sattgast covered the murder trial of Sean Matthews and has this report.

March 1983 - KIDO VOICER: Sean Matthews convicted of killing cellmate in the Ada County Jail, Boise

This is the official SoundCloud account of the Washington State House Republicans in Olympia, Washington. (www.houserepublicans.wa.gov)

04-23-25 - RADIO: Rep. Jim Walsh sounds alarm on hidden tax hikes in KIRO interview

Wash. House Republicans

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