Local Politics | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Olympia City Councilman Jim Cooper called for creating clear performance indicators that would guide the council in evaluating and implementing the Multifamily Tax Exemption Program at a city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2025.

Market-rate housing projects approved in Olympia

The Olympia City Council plans to revisit the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program and establish performance metrics for all affordable housing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/5/25 | 13 comments

The Thurston County Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials upheld the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners request to hold pay steady through 2026, as the county works to narrow its budget gap.

Salary commission upholds pay freeze for Thurston County commissioners through 2026

The pay rates for the five-member Thurston County Board of County Commissioners are going to remain unchanged through ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/31/25 | 11 comments

Local nonprofits detail potential impacts of Proposition 1 on Olympia

If Proposition 1 is approved by Olympia voters in the Nov. 4 General Election, a number of local nonprofit organizations believe it could ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/28/25 | 10 comments

Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams, top left, briefed the Tumwater City Council  about an ordinance establishing an Equity Commission at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Equity Commission established in City of Tumwater

The Tumwater City Council adopted a resolution establishing an Equity Commission at a meeting on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/24/25 | 11 comments

City of Olympia Public Works Transportation Director Sophie Stimson outlined the projected costs for a proposed sidewalk repair crew at a study session on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.

New crew eyed to tackle sidewalk defects in Olympia

City of Olympia officials are proposing to create a dedicated sidewalk repair crew, which would establish a consistent and long-term approach to maintaining ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/20/25 | 6 comments

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney outlined staff reductions to address the city’s projected $6.5 million budget deficit in 2026.

Plan outlined to help close multimillion-dollar budget deficit in Olympia

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney proposed staff reductions and leaving vacant positions unfilled to help close the city’s projected $6.5 million ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/17/25 | 8 comments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners reviewed budget plans and figures during its agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Thurston County commissioners approve 2026-27 budget targets to shrink $36M deficit

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved preliminary 2026–27 budget targets in a 3–2 vote to narrow an estimated $36 million general fund deficit ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/14/25 | 4 comments

The Olympia City Council had a lengthy debate on whether to support or oppose Proposition 1, an initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code to establish new labor standards, including rules on work scheduling, minimum wages and workplace safety for employees on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Olympia City Council opposes Proposition 1, citing cost and complexity

With a 4-3 vote, the Olympia City Council took an official stance against Proposition 1, a citizen initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/8/25 | 14 comments

The Thurston County Atrium was cited by Thurston County Board of County Commissioners as an example of the county’s reliance on rented space that the $34.9 million Plum Street purchase aims to replace.

County commissioners commit to $34.9M property purchase

Thurston County has officially committed to buying a $34.9 million downtown Olympia property after the Thurston County Board of County ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/2/25 | 8 comments

The Olympia City Council discussed the 2026 fiscal year operating budget at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

Olympia City Council backs increasing business and occupation tax to help address $6.5M budget gap

To address a projected $6.5 million operating budget shortfall for 2026, the Olympia City Council is backing a scenario in which it relies ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/1/25 | 16 comments

The Lacey City Council adopted Ordinance 1683, which amended the 2025 city budget at a meeting on Sept. 16, 2025.

Lacey City Council amends 2025 budget to account for added revenues and expenditures

The City of Lacey’s 2025 fiscal year budget underwent a second amendment in order to account for additional revenue and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/24/25

Lacey City Council member Lenny Greenstein explained his abstention on Ordinance 1682, calling the process “absurd,” during the Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.

Ordinance cements state building mandate in Lacey

The City of Lacey adopted Ordinance 1682 to amend eight chapters of its municipal code and align it with the state of Washington’s mandated International Series ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/19/25 | 2 comments

Treatment Sales Tax (TST) revenue figures were presented to the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at its agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.

Flat revenue projections push Thurston County to narrow its Treatment Sales Tax spending

The Treatment Sales Tax (TST) budget came under scrutiny this week, as Thurston County steers toward a leaner financial course for 2026-27 amid ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/17/25 | 3 comments

The City of Olympia’s Finance Committee reviewed two revenue options to close a budget gap for 2026. The committee held a meeting at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.

Finance committee reviews options to close projected $7M budget gap in Olympia

A proposed business tax increase and new public safety sales tax have emerged as two strategies aimed at addressing an estimated $7 million budget deficit ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/16/25 | 14 comments

The Olympia City Council proclaimed Sept. 16, 2025, as National Voter Registration Day. In the photo, council members posed with Thurston County Election Technician Jack Mongin, who accepted the proclamation at a meeting on Sept. 9, 2025.

Olympia defends voting rights in National Voter Registration Day proclamation

The Olympia City Council celebrated National Voter Registration Day by strongly defending mail-in voting and voter accessibility, directly challenging ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/11/25 | 12 comments

Olympia City Council to appoint 11 new Youth Council members

The Olympia City Council is set to approve the appointment of 11 new members to the Olympia Youth Council on Tuesday ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/8/25

Tumwater City Administrator Lisa Parks (top left) briefed the city council about an ordinance to establish a communications department at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

City of Tumwater establishes communications department

The Tumwater City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a communications department at a meeting on Tuesday ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/8/25 | 2 comments

Olympia seeks lobbying firm to represent city priorities in Washington Legislature

The City of Olympia is seeking a team of experts to help advocate for its priorities in the 2026 legislative ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/27/25 | 8 comments

The City of Lacey is raising its long-standing $2,000 licensing exemption for small contractors and service providers to $10,000 effective Jan. 1, 2026. The Lacey City Council voted on the issue at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.

Lacey increases out-of-city business license exemption

A $2,000 licensing exemption in the City of Lacey, which has applied to small contractors and service providers for two decades, is rising to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/26/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved two Encampment Resolution Program contracts with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Interfaith Works and Low-Income Housing Institute at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.

Thurston County finalizes Encampment Resolution Program contracts

After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Thurston County has contracts that ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/25/25 | 26 comments