Spin Control had last week off, but in place of Sunday Spin we offer the annual Jibjab look back at the year past. And for those with fond (or at least good) memories of 2012, try this week's That's News to You Quiz, which has…
Once again, in the spirit of peace on Earth to men and women of good will, Spin Control avoids political commentary so close to Christmas. This year our holiday wish is that if lions can lie down with the lambs, Senate Republicans can peacefully break…
Inouye and David SoHappy Sr., at Geiger Corrections Center in March 1988. Spokesman-Review photo by Dan Pelle. The passing of Sen. Daniel Inouye this week generated some memories from long-time Democrat Tom Keefe, who reminded Spin Control of the time the Hawaiian senator came to…
S-R photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings Today's story about assault-weapon bans had this photo from the 1994 campaign of then House Speaker Tom Foley shooting a buffalo rifle at a local shooting range. It's one of my favorite photos from the campaign, in part because there…
Spokane's Veterans Affairs Medical Center moved a step closer to getting a new name today as the Senate passed a bill to name it after two local Medal of Honor winners. The Northwest Spokane facility would become the Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center…
At a White House press conference today, President Barack Obama announced a group of high-level federal officials, headed by Vice President Joe Biden, will look at ways to reduce gun violence. The White House press corps mainly asked about negotiations on the "fiscal cliff", but…
A homeless advocate's proposal to create a large tent city beneath Interstate 90 won't be getting approval from Spokane City Hall any time soon, City Council President Ben Stuckart predicts. Stuckart said this week that he asked his fellow council members if they’d be interested…
OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed two “lame-duck” budgets Tuesday for her successor and the next Legislature to consider next year. One cuts programs to stay within the revenue the state expects to collect; the other adds some programs it may need to improve public…
Rick Lloyd of Spokane Valley, center, and other members of Washington's Electoral College sign paperwork to cast the state's electoral votes for Barack Obama. OLYMPIA – Forget what the news media told you six weeks ago. Barack Obama was elected to his second term as…
OLYMPIA — Senate Democrats offered a power-sharing agreement to counter last week's proposal by Republicans and two defecting members of their party. They called for co-leaders for the Senate and co-chairmen for all committees. But the top Republican and the Democrat the coalition wants to…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate will have two claimants to the title of "majority leader" when the Legislature convenes on Jan. 14 Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray of Seattle said Republicans will need more than a press conference and a logo on their stationary to be…
OLYMPIA -- The next president of the United States will be elected today. Barring some real skullduggery so remote it can't be mapped out here, that will be Barack Obama. What? You thought Obama was re-elected more than a month ago? It was in all…
OLYMPIA – To hear supporters tell it, a new power-sharing coalition in the state Senate could usher in a Legislative session of compromise and moderation, with a positive response to Rodney King’s famous question: Can’t we all just get along? Forgive a professional skeptic, but…
OLYMPIA -- As state leaders weigh in with shock, sadness and support for the families of the Connecticut shooting victims, Gov. Chris Gregoire ordered state flags lowered to half-staff through Tuesday. Gregoire called the shootings in Newtown, Conn., "incomprehensible" adding "all Washingtonians stand with me…
The IMAX at Riverfront Park only will be open for six months. The Spokane Park Board on Thursday voted unanimously to close the theater after Dec. 31. It will open for six months in the spring. Park officials estimated that shortening the schedule would save…
Sen. Jim Hargrove shows charts that indicate where state government has reduced spending on some social programs. OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats don't know yet whether they will accept an offer to lead six legislative committees in the coming session, Sen. Jim Hargrove said today. The…
OLYMPIA -- Sen. Mike Baumgartner would serve as vice chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee next year under the proposed "coalition" majority in that chamber. The Spokane Republican, who is halfway through his first term, said he thinks the coalition of the Senate's…
Sen. Maria Cantwell will be the chairwoman of the Indian Affairs Committee in the new Congress. Democrats announced their expected committee assignments for next year, which are essentially done deals for everything but a pro forma vote at the beginning of the session. Cantwell has…
OLYMPIA -- Even without the final spending tallied, this year's governor's race was the most expensive in state history and outside independent groups spent a record amounts trying to convince residents to vote against Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna. Post-election reports filed this week with…
The federal government should back off enforcement of federal marijuana laws in stateslike Washington that have legalized the drug, a solid majority of people told a recent Gallup poll. Nearly two-third -- 64 percent of all adults surveyed in late November -- told pollsters they…
Spokane City Councilman Ben Stuckart used first-hand experience when arguing at Monday's council meeting that the city should hire more cops. Two weeks ago, when he and his wife were in Seattle, someone knocked in the back door of their home. It was the second…
Spokane’s city government is shedding 92 jobs. The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 4-3 to freeze the city general fund budget, largely accepting the recommendations of Mayor David Condon. Condon proposed a $161 million general fund, which pays for police, fire, parks, libraries and…
OLYMPIA -- Reaction to the announcement of a new coalition to run the Senate is decidedly mixed. Republicans, not surprisingly, are hailing the decision of two Democrats to join hands with the 23 GOP members and create a brave new world of legislative leadership. State…
Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, answers a question at the press conference announcing plans for a coalition to run the Senate. OLYMPIA -- If the math holds, Republicans and a pair of Democrats will control the state Senate in 2013. The 23 Republicans voting as a…
OLYMPIA -- Senate Republicans say they will announce a "coalition" this morning that will run the chamber in the 2013 session. They've scheduled a 10:30 a.m. press conference with a bipartisan group of senators to announce how the coalition will work. Technically, Republicans are the…
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