Gov. Chris Gregoire is signing several bills at 2 p.m., including one that orders state workers to take 10 days off without pay over the next 15 months.

Attorney General Rob McKenna is in the other Washington, preparing for Wednesday's appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court on the initiative signatures case. It's being watched closely by First Amendment lawyers and legal analysts, states who have similary laws on initiatives and public records, initiative sponsors and political experts. It is the last case to be argued before the Supremes this term, and the last one with Justice John Paul Stevens on the bench.

Paul Akers, one of the Republicans looking to take on U.S. Sen Patty Murray, signed the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge", promising not to raise taxes or cut tax cuts/deductions.

Also in the Senate race, state Sen. Don Benton has an internet ad up that criticizes the incumbent's vote on health care reform. Not just any vote, but a vote against an amendment to the final package involving erectile dysfunction drugs for sex offenders. You can see the ad here. You can read a criticque of the claim here.

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