"I'm always looking for smart, efficient and effective ways to loosen the bureaucratic red tape to help make housing more affordable and some level of development more attractive and attainable for our local builders."

Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy and sponsor of the legislation, said it was important to make sure counties are not isolated when adopting building code rules.

Currently, there are two designated climate zones in Washington, delineated between the Western and Eastern parts of the state. Short's bill would keep Northeast Washington from being designated its own climate zone.

In an unprecedented move, at least as far back as any "old timers" in the Washington State Legislature can remember, the 7th Legislative District saw its clout increased as both members of the House of Representatives were recently elected to senior leadership positions within their caucus.

Under legislation signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee, the Washington state departments of Ecology and Fish and Wildlife are now required to make public the sources of scientific information relied upon in support of significant actions.

In counties throughout the state, local officials are in the process of updating their shoreline master programs. Many citizens in the 7th Legislative District living on or near particular shorelines feel unfairly targeted with new restrictions and obligations on their property. As elected officials with a history of working on...