Washington state could gain an extra $277 million over four years if it gets out of the liquor business, or lose $47 million, a state auditor's review says.Right now, the state controls the wholesale and retail liquor sales, with state employees operating the stores and…
State House has also recessed for the day after comments by Speaker Frank Chopp and Minority Leader Richard DeBolt.They got a chance to lay out the two parties positions. Democrats say the state can't cut all these good programs like Basic Health, General Assistance to…
Having handled all the protocols and formalities, the state Senate is calling it quits for the day.Tuesday they'll troop over to the House chambers for a joint session to listen to Gov. Chris Gregoire's "State of the state" address.
As protocol dictates, the Legislature sends a delegation to the governor, telling the state's chief executive that it is in session and ready to do business.The delegation just returned with office down the steps in the Capitol, carrying Gov. Chris Gregoire's message:"Good luck, Godspeed, and…
State reps have filed into their chamber and a bagpiper led the flags into the Senate chamber after a roll call. The Pledge of Allegiance has been said, the Star Spangled Banner sung, benedictions offered, with a wish for "creativity for a seemingly impossible situation."The…
Every year, the newspaper gets requests from readers for updates on a particular bill or topic making its way through the Legislature. With thousands of bills introduced each session, there's no way we can publish updates on every bill.Most go nowhere, anyway. A few hundred…
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray heads up a congressional trip to China this week, and has decided to blog about it.This is not some travel-blog that talks about the best Peking Duck and sight seeing spots. The trip involves meetings between U.S. and Chinese officials on…
Washington's most active initiative sponsor dismissed a suggestion that he run for office rather than run initiative campaigns.Tim Eyman also rejected Gov. Chris Gregoire's suggestion that Washington could go the way of California and be "initiatived to death.""One or two initiatives a year, tops, ever…
Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to propose tax cuts as well as tax increases tomorrow when she makes her State of the State address.Speaking at an impromptu press conference about three hours before the Legislature formally opens, Gregoire repeated she will propose closing some as yet…
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