Rep. Joe Schmick In The News

“I would also like to thank Rep. Mary Dye and Rep. Joe Schmick for their support of this legislation, which will benefit many residents of Asotin County.”

State Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, said he’s worried the bill “will be the last straw. And that we’re going to expedite that movement out of our small towns along the borders,” Schmick…

A perfect resolution to cap off a perfect season.

OLYMPIA, WA — Legislation sponsored by Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, that seeks to address staffing challenges during rural ambulance transports has passed the Washington State House of Representatives with bipartisan support. House Bill…

Malden Community Building speaks to resiliency of town burned by 2020 Babb Road Fire.

Miscommunication about the plans for building a new highway junction on the North end of Colfax has led to the project being delayed. The transportation package recently approved by the Washington…

Area lawmakers say changes could drive companies, residents out of Washington.

Gov. Bob Ferguson will not sign either the House or Senate budget proposals, citing concerns over untested wealth tax and potential federal cuts.

With the latest Washington legislative session wrapped up, this week, we spoke with leaders from the 9th District, who talked to us about some of the progress.

Whitman facility maintains maternity services after mulling possible conflict with state’s abortion stance.

TRI-CITIES, Wash. - Multiple local legislators over the 8th and 9th Legislative Districts will be hosting virtual townhall meetings over the next two weeks, according to the Tri-City Regional Chamber

A bill sponsored by Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, was approved by the Washington state Senate this week with a 47-2 vote and now goes to the House for consideration. Schoesler’s bill is…

Requirement won’t apply to Large Group plans, including public and school employees.

Thanks to this week’s special legislative session, we now have a uniform drug possession law in Washington state. If lawmakers hadn’t succeeded, the state law currently on the books would have ended…

OLYMPIA – A compromise on major changes to the state’s drug possession laws sailed through the Legislature in a matter of hours Tuesday after tying lawmakers in knots during their 105-day regular…

A pair of bills to fund studies that could help advance efforts to breach four dams on the lower Snake River await Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature. Inslee requested money to study…

Local pharmacists said they first learned they could be losing hundreds of customers after patients began calling them early this year.…

Certain pharmacy customers are being led to postal ordering at behest of health companies.

OLYMPIA - The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees met with legislators at the capitol Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities. The board met with Representatives Bruce Chandler (R-Granger), Bryan Sandlin (R-Zillah),…

The Tekoa Trestle has been an icon of the town since its construction in 1909 by the Milwaukee Railroad Co. Now, after years of advocacy from locals and trail riders alike, the 975-foot…

State House Republicans on Nov. 1 called for a repeal of the Democrats’ long-term care insurance program and payroll tax, according to a release from the Washington House Republicans.

Editor’s note: The following letter was written by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and signed by dozens of elected officials.

COLFAX — A local state lawmaker is calling on the governor to rescind his order requiring public school students to wear masks on campus. Ninth Legislative District Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, wrote…

MOSES LAKE — A group of state legislators visited the Port of Moses Lake last week as part of a tour organized by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, to help legislators learn…

COLFAX — A local state lawmaker is calling on the governor to rescind his order requiring public school students to wear masks on campus. Ninth Legislative District Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, wrote…

When Washington students return to the classroom this fall, they will be required to wear a mask under Gov. Jay Inslee's statewide mandate. 

Several Washington Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the governor, asking him to reconsider his statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools.

Starting in January 2022, working Washingtonians will be paying income tax. It won’t be called income tax. It will show up on pay stubs as a contribution to the Long-Term Services and…

Session left Eastern Washington’s contingent mostly frustrated, but they did score a few wins.

Grants and donations fuel efforts to rebuild town.

The state's public health system may soon get big chances after Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law Monday that would require local health boards to change their makeup. 

Over the weekend, Washington lawmakers approved a cap and trade bill, which opponents say will cost consumers more money and the state jobs. Colfax

MOSES LAKE - The 2021-2023 capital budget proved to be fruitful in some respects; $5 million has been given to an important farming project east of Moses Lake.

The bill passed 52-46 after a nearly five-hour debate late Tuesday and a two hour debate Wednesday on the bill. Five Democrats voted against it.

The Washington state House passed numerous bills during a virtual legislative debate Tuesday, including a bill that would strengthen the service local coroners and medical examiners provide to their communities. All bills…

Workers with disabilities would no longer get paid less than the minimum wage if a bill is signed into law during this year’s state legislative session. The bill is heading to the…