While politicians in some states are working to limit gender-affirming care for transgender young people, Washington's Legislature is going in the opposite direction.

What's happening: This year, Washington lawmakers are trying to protect transgender patients — as well as doctors who practice here — from the reach of other states' laws that restrict gender-affirming health care for minors.

Details: A measure that has passed the Washington House would block courts and law enforcement in the state from aiding other states' investigations into patients who travel to Washington for gender-affirming care.

• Another bill would prevent doctors from facing disciplinary consequences in Washington if they provide gender-affirming care in violation of other states' laws.

Flashback: Two years ago, Washington's Democratic-controlled Legislature passed a law that requires insurers to cover gender-affirming surgeries that are prescribed by a person's doctor and deemed medically necessary.

Why it matters: Leading medical associations say gender-affirming care, including the prescription of puberty-blocking drugs, can be medically necessary treatment for transgender young people and help reduce their likelihood of committing suicide.

Yes, but: Nationwide, more than 100 pieces of legislation have been introduced in state legislatures that would ban or restrict this type of health care for minors, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union.

• Utah, Mississippi, South Dakota and Tennessee have all approved laws this year banning gender-affirming health care for transgender youth.
• Arkansas and Alabama previously passed similar laws.

By contrast, in Washington, a Republican proposal to ban gender-affirming care for minors did not receive a hearing and is considered dead.

What they're saying: "We want to be clear that we are going to do everything in our power to create a safe community for trans people in our state," state Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett) told Axios.

• A measure Liias is sponsoring this year would allow youth shelters in Washington to house young people who are seeking gender-affirming care, without having to notify or get permission from the children's parents.
• Republicans have opposed that legislation, saying it would shut parents out of important parts of their children's lives.

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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport had one of the worst rates of on-time flights in the country in December, even as other airports were more deeply affected by Southwest Airlines' epic meltdown.

By the numbers: Only 61.7% of domestic flights departed Sea-Tac on time in December 2022, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

• Nationally, 69.1% of December's flights departed on time, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

The big picture: Throughout most of last year, Sea-Tac outperformed the national average when it came to its percentage of on-time flights.

• But a severe ice storm during the peak of holiday travel in December caused Sea-Tac's on-time performance to tank for the month.
• Sea-Tac officials told Axios earlier this year that Southwest Airlines' systemwide delays were less of a factor than the ice, since Sea-Tac isn't a big Southwest hub.

Zoom in: At Sea-Tac in December, Southwest's on-time rate roughly matched the average on-time rates across all airlines.

• By comparison, at other airports, Southwest's performance was far worse.

The bottom line: Between the bad weather and Southwest's operational challenges, flying in December was truly just as bad as it seemed, the data shows.

The pandemic has shifted the way we dine, from curbside pickup to more takeout options to shorter store hours — and not everyone is happy with all the changes, Axios' Kelly Tyko reports.

What they're saying: In Axios’ informal survey of COVID changes at stores and restaurants, many readers told us they are eating out less since the pandemic, opting for takeout and more home cooking.

• "I am ordering more food delivery and takeout than I did before. However, it isn’t that much cheaper so I’d rather go out with friends and have in-person experience if given the choice," Seattle reader Steve G. wrote.

Zoom in: One change has proved particularly polarizing: QR codes replacing real menus at restaurants. Many people aren't fans.

📣 Weigh in: Do you love or hate QR code menus? We want to hear from diners, servers and restaurateurs. Reply to this email with your thoughts.

We'll include some of your responses in a future newsletter.

🅿️ Parking rates went up in about two dozen paid parking areas across the city yesterday. (KING 5)

🧳 More than one in 10 Seattle-area residents are thinking about moving, according to new federal survey data. That's the second-highest percentage, just behind Dallas, among the country's 15 largest metropolitan areas. (Seattle Times)

❌ Marjorie, the popular Carribean-inspired Capitol Hill restaurant, is closing after 13 years, with a final send-off dinner tomorrow. (Capitol Hill Seattle Blog)

💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Senior Learning & Development Specialist at Snap Inc.
2. Specialist, Youth Program at Snohomish Mission.
3. Assistant Director at Learning Care Group.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

In more proof of how well Axios Seattle readers know their city, dozens of you correctly guessed the location of the photo we shared yesterday of an isolated, sculptural hand.

• It was from the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Occidental Park.

Details: The Pioneer Square landmark was dedicated in 1998, inspired by four firefighters who died in a 1995 warehouse fire in the International District.

• But the four life-sized bronze figures "represent all members of the Seattle Fire Department who have died in the line of duty," according to "Art in Seattle's Public Spaces" by James Rupp.
• The granite slabs surrounding the four life-sized figures represent a fallen building, according to the city.
• On one slab, the artist, Hai Ying Wu, wrote that the "intent was to create a memorial that is forever uplifting the spirits of the firefighters and viewers alike."

Congratulations to Liz W., the correct respondent whose name our randomizer picked as our winner for this week! You'll be getting swag in the mail.