Another Republican Spokane County officeholder will face a challenge within the party and within his office. But it appears this time the incumbent won't discipline his challenger.Vicki Horton, a residential appraiser in the county assessor's office, filed paperwork this week with the state Public Disclosure…
OLYMPIA – The Legislature would be able to raise taxes this session and next with a simple majority vote under a bill approved Tuesday in the state Senate.In the most contentious Senate debate this year – one that constantly invoked “the will of the people”…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate approved changing state law to allow taxes to be raised this year and next with a simple majority.After a lengthy debate and a time out for parliamentary measures, the Senate voted 26-23 to suspend the provisions of Initiative 960 that requires…
OLYMPIA-- A roll call vote on the bill is coming now that they've made a change in the title. Count in a few minutes
OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats apparently will have to resurrect a Republican title that they previously rejected to pass a bill that makes changes to the supermajority requirements for tax increases.That means Democrats take an amendment that they don't like, for a title written by Republicans…
OLYMPIA -- Debate a bill to suspend the supermajority to raise taxes has come to a halt on the floor of the Senate.Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, raised a "point of order" that because of changes approved by Democrats, the bill's title is no longer accurate.After…
OLYMPIA-- Debate continues:Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield: "I do think there is a difference between one initiative and another. People think a little bit about their pocket books, on both sides, than they do about policy. Let's try to keep a leg up (on Oregon, where…
OLYMPIA -- Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, warns of severe cuts, even if there are tax increases."You talk about restructuring of government? There are going to be complete programs that are going to be eliminated. We give out billions of tax breaks every year and there's…
OLYMPIA -- Sen. Cheryl Pflug says of the 1,001 letters she's received, only six approve repealing the supermajority to raise taxes If you do this, many of you will return to a wall of rage at home" Pflug, R-Maple Valley, warned. "People are hurting, and…
OLYMPIA - If this is an emergency, why is the state still spending money for art projects in the prisons, Sen. Mike Carrell, R, asked. Why spend $2 million on art for the Seattle tunnelSen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma:"We have heard a lot this afternoon about…
OLYMPIA--Some of the problems with the original bill suspending the supermajority required for tax increases have been removed, Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, said.That doesn't necessarily mean any Republicans will vote for it, he said.Democrats defended the suspension."This is a significant issue. We do not take…
OLYMPIA -- A Republican amendment described as an attempt to fix technical problems with the title is being discussed."Enough is enough," Sen. Rodney Tom, a Democratic vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee argues. "It's time to vote" on the bill itself.Amendment fails 22-26,…
OLYMPIA -- Arguing against changes to the state's supermajority for tax increases continues, and some senators are attempting to usie t to their best advantage"The citizens voted their conscience. Now we're throwing that away. We're ignoring the will of the people," Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver,…
OLYMPIA -- Republicans argue that the bill should remove the emergency clause, because immediate enactment would block any chance of referendum by voters unhappy with suspending I-960. They have an amendment to that effect.Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, "How can you say it's an emergency when…
OLYMPIA --First up is a Republican amendment that limits the suspension for just this session.Sen. Mike Carrell, R, warns that if Democrats repeal the provisions of Initiative 960, "there will be another referendum in November" on them.Sen. Pam Roach, R: "There will probably be a…
OLYMPIA -- A debate on how to debate the changes to tax-raising laws pits Republicans, who want to be able to have unlimited debate, against Democrats, who say that three-minutes per senator is enough and unlimited debate is really just obstructionism.Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said…
OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats are making a move to simplify changes to rules governing tax increases. Rather than a complicated array of changes to Initiative 960, they are suggesting an amendment that simply suspends it until July 1, 2011.The original bill suspended the two-thirds majority…
OLYMPIA-- The Senate has returned from caucus and will take up SB 6843, the bill to suspend supermajority votes for tax increases
OLYMPIA -- The Senate is "at ease", going into caucus to discuss something.While they don't have to announce, it's likely for the upcoming vote on the bill to suspend Initiative 960 rules on supermajorities for tax increases.Stay tuned.
OLYMPIA -- The Senate approved a round of budget reductions as a downpayment on more cuts to come.On a bipartisan vote, it approved the latest version of cuts first approved in the House of Representatives, ESHB 2921. Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, seemed to be foreshadowing…
OLYMPIA -- By a vote of 48-0, the Senate suspended bonuses for state employees not covered by union contracts.Vote on suspending super-majority for tax increases coming, likely before lunchtime
OLYMPIA --The state Senate has reconvened for floor debate on several major bills.First up, after confirming several gubernatorial appointments and introducing guests in the gallery, will be the debate over a bill covering flooding in the Green River Valley,That will be followed by a bill…
OLYMPIA -- The state Senate will vote soon on whether to suspend the supermajority provisions of I-960 for tax increases.Republican members have been ready for a while, walking about the floor making "drink the Kool-Aid" references. Democrats are just coming out of their caucus where…
OLYMPIA -- This year's regular legislative session is half over, and while there's not much to show for it so far, the Senate may be pushing ahead this morning with a vote over suspending the supermajority provisions in Initiative 960.The Senate Ways and Means Committee…
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