Administration officials say they can keep the shelter system running without making other budget cuts by tapping surplus funds.

A majority of state lawmakers support a bill to make child care more affordable and deliver better pay to early educators.

House Democrats were able to get a quorum of members together to push through a compromise on a long-overdue package they failed to wrap up before the Legislature shifted into a seven-week holiday stretch of informal sessions.

House Democrats showed up in sufficient numbers to establish a quorum and to prevent Republicans from ending sessions, as the GOP did last week.

The GOP doesn't get many chances to flex its muscle.

Everett soccer stadium proposal dropped.

Republicans now wield the power to block passage of the final bill with a single objection.

A fierce debate continues about the extent of additional gun regulation, such as restricting where legal gun owners can carry.

METCO officials say the lack of an increase in this year's budget makes it harder to meet demand and go deeper on racial equity work.

Phone calls will be free starting Dec. 1 after the governor signed the legislation Wednesday.