Gov. Chris Gregoire opens a fire shelter during the annual training and test required for being on site at a wildfire or forest fire. OLYMPIA -- With snow still on the mountains and plenty of rain this spring in the lowlands, the danger of wildfires…
If there were a 12-step program for reporters to curb our addiction for stories we know aren’t going anywhere, I’d sign up in a heartbeat after the late, not-so-great legislative session. “Hi, my name is Jim, and I’m addicted to stupid ideas that I can’t…
OLYMPIA – In a legislative marathon that took an extra 30 days, the 2011 Legislature may have produced an extra helping of winners and losers. How big the victories and how bitter the losses may not be known for some time, but it is clear…
OLYMPIA – At times, it may have seemed that the only issues the Washington legislature worked on during the past session were budgets and medical marijuana. Those things did take considerable amounts of time during the last four months, but lawmakers passed 444 different pieces…
OLYMPIA -- Before I left for Olympia, Photo Editor Liz Kishimoto gave me a camera. A really good camera, with two very nice lenses. Other members of The Spokesman-Review's prize-winning photo staff gave me some tips on how to use it because, well, it's been…
OLYMPIA -- It is the day after the night before at the Capitol. Not quite a ghost town 12 hours after the gavel came down for the legislative session, but very little trace of what was here for the last four and a half months.…
From the president's rostrum in the Senate chamber, Gov. Chris Gregoire points to twin screens showing the leaders of the House and Senate gaveling the session to a close Wednesday evening. OLYMPIA -- Shortly after the gavel came down on the 2011 Legislative session, Gov.…
OLYMPIA -- Late Wednesday evening, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown of Spokane and Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla wait for the vote on the 2011-13 operating budget worked out in a series of compromises between both parties.
OLYMPIA -- The Senate gave strong bipartisan support to the state's $32.2 billion operating budget for 2011-13, and near unanimous suppoort to the $2.8 billion Capital Budget. Senators praised one another for crossing party lines and working together to work out compromises on a budget…
OLYMPIA -- Linda Chesnut thought there might be a bit of tension in the Capitol Building Wednesday and decided she should try to do something about it. So the licensed masseuse from Body Matrix Massage set up a special chair in the hallway between the…
OLYMPIA -- With prosects for medical marijuana legislation dead in the Legislature, a group unhappy with what's left of the cannabis law post-veto will try to get it on the November ballot so voters can dump it. Steve Sarich of CannaCare filed Referendum 73 with…
OLYMPIA -- The red blur moving through the hall between the House and Senate chambers a few minutes ago was Gov. Chris Gregoire, shuttling between Speaker Frank Chopp's office and Majority Leader Lisa Brown's with a list of bills in hand. Bills that apparently legislative…
OLYMPIA -- A problem with a section of the general operating budget could require an amendment before the bill goes to a vote in the Senate today. Which means the amended bill would have to come back the House for another round of voting --…
Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, argues against the Capital Budget supported by some $1.1 billion in bond sales. OLYMPIA -- The House of Representatives gave overwhelming support this morning to some $2.8 billion in public works projects -- from new facilities for universities to sewers…
OLYMPIA -- While the Final Days didn't begin with the Rapture at 6 p.m. Saturday as predicted, the final day of the special session has arrived. The list of things to do is long. Expect the day to be likewise. The House starts with a…
OLYMPIA – The state’s $2.8 billion Capital Budget will include $35 million to start construction on a new medical school in Spokane. Legislative leaders announced Tuesday afternoon they have reached agreement on the Capital Budget and a contentious side issue involving limits to the amount…
If David Condon proved anything at his campaign kickoff breakfast for Spokane mayor it's that he can raise money. Probably, lots of it. Condon spoke for about 20 minutes praising the city and criticizing the bureaucracy of city government. At the end of his speech,…
Legislative leaders announce proposed 2011-13 general operating budget Tuesday. OLYMPIA -- Legislative leaders unveiled their latest -- and possibly final -- version of the 2011-13 operating budget they described as painful but sustainable. A deal on the capital budget and changes to the state's debt…
OLYMPIA -- There will be no more attempts this year to rewrite medical marijuana laws. Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells, D-Seattle, announced this morning that she's done for now and won't try to move her latest proposal through the Legislature in what's left of the special session.…
OLYMPIA -- This is B-Day in Olympia. The rank and file members of the Legislature, those not involved in budget negotiations, are being briefed on the state's $32 billiion general operating budget at 9 a.m., and the general public gets its first look at 10…
New property taxes are off the table for Spokane in the August primary and probably the rest of the year. The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 5-0 against a proposal to ask voters to increase property taxes to help balance the budget. Spokane Mayor…
OLYMPIA – After tying the Legislature in knots for much of the last three months, changes to the state’s century-old workers compensation sped through both houses Monday with comfortable margins. It passed the House 69-26, and the Senate 35-12. The changes, which also have the…
OLYMPIA -- A key piece to the puzzle of making changes to the state's workers compensation system came from Rep. Matt Shea, who suggested negotiators drop the idea of "lump sum" payments in favor of structured settlements. Shea, R-Spokane Valley, suggested a system that is…
OLYMPIA -- Major changes to the state's workers compensation system passed the House Monday on a 69-26 vote. Most proposed amendments were ruled out of order by Speaker Frank Chopp, and debate centered around whether injured workers would be helped or hurt by a change…
OLYMPIA -- Budget negotiators continue to hold tight on the details of the general operating budget while insisting there is no problem with the agreement. It's at the printer, will be distributed Tuesday to members at 9 a.m. and to the news media at 10…
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.
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