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

Eye On Olympia

MONDAY, FEB. 10, 2003

What's cooking...

Senate Democrats are releasing a jobs-stimulus proposal today, and the week's long list of hearings includes this surprise: Senate Bill 5571, which would ban human cloning in Washington and back it up with a $100,000 fine.

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THURSDAY, FEB. 6, 2003

A hardy perennial...

Saying Eastern Washington has more in common with Eastern Oregon and Idaho than with mossy Puget Sound, two local state senators have -- once again -- proposed a law that would lay the groundwork for cleaving the state of Washington in two. Senate Bill 5663…

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Targeting skirt-peepers and murderers...

The House and Senate have overwhelmingly passed a bill that allows people to be convicted of felony murder if victims die from what would otherwise be considered an assault. After a state Supreme Court ruling last year, lawmakers were worried that 300 murderers in Washington…

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TUESDAY, FEB. 4, 2003

MONDAY, FEB. 3, 2003

FRIDAY, JAN. 31, 2003

Banning strikes by teachers...

Should teachers be allowed to strike? Some state senators say no. On Friday, the Senate Commerce and Trade Committee held a hearing on two bills dealing with the issue. Senate Bill 5155 would ban strikes by educational employees. Senate Bill 5021 would prevent teachers and…

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TUESDAY, JAN. 28, 2003


Where'd that money go?

Remember last year's brouhaha over Gonzaga University's $1.5 million request for a stadium, err, parking lot? State lawmakers had heartburn, and so did the university, reluctant to surrender control of the planned stadium in exchange for a relatively small percentage of state construction money. Both…

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THURSDAY, JAN. 23, 2003

EWU's Steve Jordan on school vouchers -- for college

Eastern Washington University President Steve Jordan braved controversy and made a pitch Thursday for vouchers in public higher education, calling them "a bad idea whose time has come." To listen to a Television Washington recording of Jordan's presentation, along with responses from other higher education…

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TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2003

West Side Snapshot

Hundreds of gambling-industry workers demonstrated in the Olympia rain Tuesday, asking state lawmakers to allow slot-style machines at non-Indian casinos, taverns, bowling alleys, charity fundraisers and fraternal lodges. Tribes, they said, have a monopoly on the popular electronic machines. Read the full story.

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Who's paid what:

Want to know how big the governor's paycheck is? Or the attorney general's? Or a state Supreme Court justice's?You can see the salary schedule for state officials, including state lawmakers, at this site.

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15, 2003

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