A former dean of Gonzaga University Law School is among Democrats considering a campaign against Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers next year. Dan Morrissey, who served as dean from 2001-04 and now teaches corporate law at the school, said he is exploring his prospects for a…
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown of Spokane and Minority Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla hug and other senators applaud as the gavel comes down to adjourn the special session. OLYMPIA -- Unable to find $2 billion in savings over 30 days, the Legislature agreed…
OLYMPIA -- Newly elected Sen. Mike Padden of the Spokane Valley received his traditional hazing by colleagues today as the Senate wound down toward adjournment of the special session. After passing a $480 million partial fix to the budget and some bills necessary to make…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate passed a $480 million "downpayment" on the $2 billion needed to close the gap in the state's General Fund budget. On a 42-6 vote, members of both parties sent to Gov. Chris Gregoire about a fourth of the cuts and accounting…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate is beginning debate on the "early action budget" which closes about $480 million of the state's budget gap. It's the same budget approved Tuesday evening in the House. Senate Ways and Means Commitee Chairman Ed Murray, D-Seattle, said some people call…
OLYMPIA -- Some strong signs that this could be the last day of the Legislature's emergency session on the budget: Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, in the Senate wings before the morning session started: "Looks like a good day for sine die." ' The…
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature could be rolling toward adjournment later today if budget writers' plans come to pass. And pass. The $480 million supplemental budget passed by the House Tuesday evening -- the down payment or partial down payment or bite of the apple or…
Spokane County's three Republican county commissioners are asking Mayor-elect David Condon to strongly consider Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich's offer to be the city's interim police chief. The three signed a letter to Condon's transition team saying that with Chief Anne Kirkpatrick retiring, it makes sense to…
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