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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Olympia

“These are our levees…”

"If the (2001) Nisqually earthquake had lasted a mere 15 seconds longer, the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle and S-R 520 (floating bridge) would have crumbled, and bridges all up and down the I-5 corridor would have been highly vulnerable. The loss of life could have been devastating, and the long-term economic impact crippling...These are our levees, and the earthquake is our hurricane. We are not going to be given a warning. You can't see an earthquake coming."

-Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, at a recent press conference. Washingtonians will vote in November whether to allow a new gas-tax increase, which would pay for millions of dollars in safety improvements to bridges, the Viaduct and the floating bridge.

Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.