The battle to strip the state Fish and Wildlife Commission of some of its powers -- mainly hiring and firing the director of the agency -- continues.Commercial fisherman say the board is tilted too far in favor of sport/recreational anglers. The latter say that the…
"This is a real budget and a balanced budget. It is a budget that attempts to share the sacrifices of this very difficult time." -Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown-"The Senate budget will add over 7,000 people to the ranks of the unemployed." -Sen. Margarita Prentice-"These…
The $7.5 billion House budget plan, released this afternoon, includes $4.6 billion for more than 400 transportation construction projects across the state.In the face of shrinking revenues, the plan maintains -- mostly -- funding for the state's "mega-projects": $2.4 billion for Seattle's aging/sinking/crumbling Alaskan Way…
I'll have lots more reactions later today, but here's the abbreviated version of reactions to the state Senate budget plan released this morning:"...Devastating..."-Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina"...Devastating..."-Diane Sosne, Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199 NW"...Devastating..."-Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton"...Devastating..."-Tom Geiger, United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 21"...Devastating..."-Mary…
After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations and speculation, lawmakers in the state Senate this morning proposed a budget to bridge the state's $9 billion budget shortfall over the next two years.It calls for closing the state prison on McNeil Island, doing away with hundreds of millions…
Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.
