A TikTok ban, a bridge toll and a sort of end to masking

It’s Day 85. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112

2023 Washington Legislature, Day 85 of 105

Everett Herald political reporter Jerry Cornfield: jcornfield@heraldnet.com | @dospueblos

Want this in your inbox Monday-Wednesday-Friday? Subscribe here.

OLYMPIA, April 3, 2023 — Welcome to a new week and a new month.

And say goodbye to the last piece of Washington’s mask mandate. Starting today, the state Department of Health encourages, but no longer requires wearing of face coverings inside health care, long-term care and adult correctional facilities. This is for people age 5 and older.

COVID-19 isn’t gone. Individual facilities and providers can keep mask-wearing rules in place if they want. Several of the industry’s big names are doing so.

They will continue to require masking in acute care and outpatient clinic facilities per a joint statement. Among the signatories were executives of Providence Swedish Puget Sound Region, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, University of Washington Medicine, Overlake Medical Center and Clinics, Kaiser Permanente and EvergreenHealth.

Banning TikTok

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Nearly half the states have banned TikTok from state agency devices. Not Washington. At least not yet.

Republican state Rep. Drew Stokesbary will make a run at it today when the House debates the chamber’s proposed operating budget.

He’s dropped an amendment to provide $50,000 to the Consolidated Technology Services Agency to ensure the app is not installed or used on state-issued computers and devices. Looks like he’s crafting a bill too. Keep watch for that.

I had been wondering why this hadn’t been a thing before in the session. Gov. Jay Inslee’s administration apparently looked into it. His deputy chief security information officer reportedly reached out to peers in other states in December for data on risk assessments, according to this report. No request legislation emerged.

The state Department of Transportation uses TikTok with some success as public radio reporter Scott Greenstone detailed in January.

The House plans to take up the budget at 1:30 p.m. today.

A toll bridge to Portland

If a new bridge is ever built on I-5 across the Columbia River into Oregon, you’ll pay a toll to cross it.

Senate Bill 5765, introduced late last week, names the bridge a “toll eligible facility” and lays out dos and don’ts of how it would work. For example, tolls could be charged for travel only on the existing and replacement bridges and not on any portion of Interstate 205 in Washington.

A whole bunch of things, which will take a whole bunch of time, need to happen such as securing funds, building it and inking a deal with Oregon on the amount of tolls.

This bill is moving quickly. The Senate Transportation Committee had it teed up for a vote this morning. Clearly lawmakers want to complete this task this session.

Gun, abortion measures this week?

Tuesday is cut-off for action on legislation with a price tag. The Senate Ways and Means Committee and House Appropriation Committee are looking to vote on roughly 150 bills combined by the deadline.

Then, starting Wednesday, both chambers hit the floor as April 12 is the deadline for House bills to pass the Senate and vice versa. This covers basically everything left on the table but the budgets. Prepare for late nights and the weekend.

Majority Democrats need good clock management. A protracted debate on one bill means they may have no time for another.

I won’t be surprised if there are votes this week on bills imposing new rules for buying guns, banning the sale of assault weapons and protecting those seeking and providing abortions as those are caucus priorities which could absorb a few hours.

To subscribe to the Cornfield Report, go to www.heraldnet.com/newsletters. | Previous Cornfield Reports here.

News clippings

Compiled by: House Democrats | House Republicans

On TV

Non-profit TVW covers state government in Olympia and selected events statewide. Programs are available for replay on the internet, and the channel is widely available on Washington cable systems.

TVW schedule | Current and recent video | Shows

Links

Contact your legislator | District lookup | Bill lookup

Legislature home | House | Senate

Caucuses: House Democrats | House Republicans | Senate Democrats | Senate Republicans

Office of the Governor

Laws and agency rules

Beat reporters: Jerry Cornfield (Everett Herald) | Tom Banse (NW News Network) | Jim Brunner (Seattle Times) | Laurel Demkovich (Spokesman-Review) | Jeanie Linsday (KUOW)| Joseph O’Sullivan (Crosscut) | Melissa Santos (Axios) | Shauna Sowersby (McClatchy newspapers) | Claire Withycombe (Times)

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Everett
Man stabbed in face outside Everett IHOP, may lose eye

Police say the suspect fled in the victim’s car, leading officers on a 6-mile chase before his arrest.

A person walks up 20th Street Southeast to look at the damage that closed the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WA delegation urges Trump to reconsider request for bomb cyclone aid

The Washington state congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump on… Continue reading

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

Searchers recover submerged shrimp boat, two bodies from Possession Sound

Everett police failed to locate a third person reported missing after the boat sank in Possession Sound on May 21.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett Municipal Building to close for two weeks

The closure is part of the building’s $36 million repair project. City staff will be accessible by phone and email during business hours.

Help Washington manage European green crabs with citizen science events

Washington State University and Washington Sea Grant will hold a training at Willis Tucker Park on June 2.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.