The biggest local item in Gov. Gregoire's budget plan is $63 million for a new life sciences research building in Pullman.This is by far the largest item in the governor's construction budget for this year. And it's an easy one, since WSU -- which tried…
The Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual legislative preview -- various lawmakers talking about what to expect this year -- is slated to air on TVW's cable broadcast Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 5 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.
Senate Republicans are now issuing their own podcasts: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/Senate/SRC/Podcast/.Among the topics: Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, on the state GOP's energy proposals; Sen. Brad Benson, R-Spokane, on transportation issues, and Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, on Republicans' farm agenda.House Democrats also put podcasts on their caucus website:…
State Sen. Stephen Johnson said Wednesday that he won't seek re-election when his term expires at the end of next year.Johnson, an attorney who's been a lawmaker for 11 years, said he wants to "explore other options" in the legal field."I've come to the decision…
Gov. Christine Gregoire's been trying for weeks to tamp down expectations among groups seeking a slice of the $1.2 billion in reserves that the state now has."We must save now, in order to manage if money gets tight," she says.She says there are some new…
Ten million bucks. That's the minimum price tag for most U.S. Senate seats, according to a new report from a University of Washington political research team.Among other things, the researchers concluded that "it is no longer possible, in any state, to mount a credible quest…
If you renew your license tabs or register a vehicle after Jan. 1, brace yourself to pay more. New weight fees -- approved by lawmakers last spring --are about to kick in.In addition to the current $30 basic state license tab fee, vehicle owners will…
"I am bemused by my learned colleague's knowledge of `repeated reports of sasquatch sightings.'" --Washington state Supreme Court Justice Tom Chambers, taking issue with fellow Justice Jim Johnson.Johnson's point was that a state board wants Ferry County to prove that certain endangered species don't exist…
Eastern Washington University's triumph over the Montana Bobcats, 35-14, at the game in Cheney Saturday means that Montana Gov. (and rancher) Brian Schweitzer owes Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire five buffalo steaks."The governor expects to collect the buffalo meat from Gov. Schweitzer any day now," a…
"I'll declare victory even if we don't win." -- I-900 proponent Tim Eyman, getting ready for his election night speech.
"The wonder of the First Amendment is that you don’t have to be right every time." ---- Washington Secretary of State Doug MacDonald, asked on Monday about some of the claims in political ads about Initiative 912 during an interview with Seattle talk-radio station KVI.
Both sides are discounting the possibility of voter confusion over Initiative 912, which can seem counterintuitive.After all, a vote yes on I-912 is a vote against the recent gas tax increase. A vote no is a vote for the tax. Some polls have suggested that…
Okay, so we haven't even voted on the current crop of ballot measures (gas tax repeal, public smoking ban, doctor/lawyer fixes for malpractice woes, etc.)But already, our mailbox and phone are heralding next year's crop of direct democracy.The list so far:-Initiative pitchman/guru/gorilla Tim Eyman says…
So where does Gov. Christine Gregoire stand on this year's ballot measures? According to Carol Andrews, Gregoire's spokeswoman:I-330: (Doctor-backed malpractice insurance reforms): No.I-336: (Lawyer backed malpractice reforms): No.I-912: (Repealing the recent hike in the state's gas tax): No.I-900: (Requiring performance audits for state and local…
The folks at the liberal blog www.betterdonkey.org have come up with a fake commercial touting an alternative to the state's gas tax increase: "Viaduct tape." (Hint: Once the website opens, scroll down. There are Quicktime and Windows versions of the commercial, in differing file sizes.)
Gov. Christine Gregoire faced a sea of blank stares at Arthur B. Ness Elementary Monday, while touting the many benefits of Washington's trade with China.The governor's question: What does China buy from us? "Starbucks coffee" was one of the answers she was fishing for.No dice.…
The state's election guide will start arriving in mailboxes across the state on Saturday, Oct. 8, according to the Secretary of State's office. Can't wait? See it here .And if you think it's going to be too boring, here are a few choice samples:-- "Our…
State prisons have donated more than six tons of vegetables to food banks across the state this year, according to figures compiled by the state Department of Corrections.The prison farm programs are designed to produce food for inmates, as well as work for them. The…
The Seattle Times' Northwest Weekend editor Brian Cantwell has embarked on a driving tour of some of the furthest reaches of the state (that's us), and is blogging what he finds. It's a fun read.
The King County primary election has been certified and -- flashback alert -- there's a recount.Nope, the governor's office wasn't on the ballot. This time, the tallies of two candidates for King County Sheriff were so close that it would normally trigger an automatic manual…
"If the (2001) Nisqually earthquake had lasted a mere 15 seconds longer, the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle and S-R 520 (floating bridge) would have crumbled, and bridges all up and down the I-5 corridor would have been highly vulnerable. The loss of life could…
First the machinists' strike is settled and now this: on Oct 1, the state business tax for airplane makers and their parts suppliers will drop 12.5 percent.The change is part of a slate of tax breaks and other assistance approved by lawmakers in 2003, as…
In what state transportation officials hope is not a preview of November in Washington, Oklahoma voters have rejected a ballot measure to raise gas tax there from 17 cents a gallon to 22 cents.In Oklahoma, as here, the money was slated to fix state roads…
It's a bit startling to see a long list of newspapers, TV stations and radio stations listed on campaign finance reports as contributing thousands of dollars to www.nonewgastax.com, the group that's trying to reverse the 9.5-cent gas tax increase lawmakers approved earlier this year.According to…
One phrase we're hearing an awful lot of in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is "I'm not going to play the blame game." Bush administration officials are turning to it to deflect criticism now, and Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire uses it periodically in press conferences…
Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.
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