Two campaigns for the state legislature couldn't quite do it, but it turns out that Spokane schools veteran Laurie Dolan is going to make it to Olympia after all.

Gov.-Elect Christine Gregoire on Friday morning named Dolan director of the governor's Executive Policy Office. That means Dolan will be overseeing the work of about 20 subject-matter experts who will advise Gregoire on various issues.

Dolan's said her key focus will be "How do we define a better future using limited public resources?" It's a timely topic, with the state about to head into budget season with a $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion budget shortfall.

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