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Spin Control archive for Dec. 2010

THURSDAY, DEC. 30, 2010

WA state makes insurance info a click away

OLYMPIA -- Washington residents who are shopping for insurance are now able to check out their prospective agent and insurance company online. The Washington Insurance Commissioner's office debuted today a new toolkit that allows consumers to enter the name of the agent, the insurance company,…

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29, 2010

Map of the 2010 General Election balloting by Legislative District. (Jim Camden/The Spokesman-Review)

Spokane's 3rd Lege District among lowest for turnout

OLYMPIA -- New numbers from the Washington Secretary of State's office confirm what political experts in Spokane have long believed: Central Spokane's 3rd Legislative District, along with being among the state's poorest, is among the state's lightest voting. The state Elections Office released voter turnout…

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Baumgartner gets plum panels 

OLYMPIA -- Senate Republicans released their list of committee assignments today, and Spokane's freshman Sen. Michael Baumgartner appears to be someone they're putting a lot of stock in. Baumgartner will start his first day in the Legislature as ranking Republican on the Senate Economic Development,…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 28, 2010


Gregoire bets Huskies over Huskers

OLYMPIA -- In what has become an inevitable consequence of one of Washington's athletic teams going to some sort of post-season contest, Gov. Chris Gregoire has bet salmon-for-steak on the U-Dub Huskies to beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Thursday's Holiday Bowl She made the bet…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 2010


WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22, 2010

Capitol Campus gets creche

OLYMPIA -- A creche, aka a Nativity Scene, will be erected on the Capitol Campus this evening, and stay up through next week. State officials said they approved a display permit this week from a Bothell, Wash., resident, for an outside Nativity Scene that will…

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President Jimmy Carter momentarily looks the wrong way as the flag is raised during his  May 1978 visit to Spokane's Riverfront Park.  King Cole, a major influece in bringing Expo '74 to Spokane, points the direction to president should be facing. Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus (left) and former Spokane Mayor David Rodgers (second from left) watch the ceremony.  (Photo Archive / Spokesman-Review Archives)

King Cole and Jimmy Carter 

In honor of King Cole, whose memorial service is Thursday morning, I present what may be my favorite photo in The Spokesman-Review's great photo archives. It's from the grand opening of Riverfront Park. Here's the caption: President Jimmy Carter momentarily looks the wrong way as…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 21, 2010

This map shows estimated gains in population in Washington's congressional districts based on the 2005-2009 American Community Survey estimates. (Jim Camden/The Spokesman-Review)

Where WA gained a little, where it gained a lot

Washington gets a new congressional district, upping its population in the U.S. House of Representatives from nine to 10, Census Bureau officials announced today. Politicians all over the state, from Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Democrat, to Luke Esser, state Republican Party chairman, are thrilled. And…

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Ghost of Christmas Trivia Quiz Past, Day 3

Spin Control is taking most of this week off, but is reprinting previous Christmas quizzes in advance of this year's quiz, which will appear on Friday evening. This 12 Trivias of Christmas first appeared on Dec. 23, 2007.Merry Christmas, political junkies.With the War on Christmas…

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MONDAY, DEC. 20, 2010


Ghost of Christmas Trivia Past, day 2

Spin Control is taking most of this week off, but is reprinting Christmas Trivia quizzes from past years. This 12 Trivias of Christmas first appeared Dec. 24, 2006.The worst thing about a political column on Christmas Eve is that most people are filled with the…

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SUNDAY, DEC. 19, 2010

The ghost of Xmas Trivia Quiz past

Spin Control has most of this week off, but in the spirit of the season is reprinting Christmas Trivia quizzes each day from previous years, leading up to this year's quiz on Friday evening. This quiz first appeared on Dec. 25, 2005: The worst thing…

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FRIDAY, DEC. 17, 2010

THURSDAY, DEC. 16, 2010

OLYMPIA -- Tree erected on the Capitol Campus in December 2010 by Seattle Atheists (Jim Camden/The Spokesman-Review)

Atheist tree up on Capitol Campus 

OLYMPIA -- With little fanfare or complaints, Seattle Atheists have erected a decorated tree and a sign on the Capitol campus in honor of not-Christmas.A tree? As in, a Christmas Tree?Not exactly. The group calls it "A Tree of Knowledge" -- although it's unclear if…

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More groups pan Gregoire budget 

OLYMPIA -- Reaction to Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposed 2011-13 budget continues to come in from groups who don't like parts of it.It balances the budget on the backs of toddlers. -- Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP.Endangers families across the state. -- Poverty…

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Marr ethics complaint dismissed 

OLYMPIA -- A complaint that an aide for Sen. Chris Marr improperly used a state computer for campaign purposes was dismissed Wednesday by the Legislative Ethics Board. The computer didn't belong to the state, and it was used by Marr, not his aide, the board…

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Random digits: Facts for today

The omnibus appropriations bill for this fiscal year (which started on Oct. 1, by the way) that is moving through Congress has at least 6.631 earmarks worth $8.6 billiion, Citizens Against Government Waste says. At least because the organization hasn't located all the anonymous earmarks…

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010

Today's fun video: Season's Greetings

Since we're not talking about posting this on a government website, or playing it on a monitor in the Capitol Rotunda, this isn't a political "Nativity Scene."It's just fun.In a week marked by budget cuts, budget cuts and more budget cuts, can't we all use…

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OLYMPIA--Members of the SEIU protest proposed budget cuts outside the governor's office on 12/15/2010. (Jim Camden/The Spokesman-Review)

Thumbs down, thumbs up on Gregoire budget

OLYMPIA -- Reaction to Gov. Chris Gregoire's budget was swift Wednesday as some of her normal alliles is social service groups and progressive circles denounced it while Republicans gave it qualified favorable reviews.Fellow Democrats tried to praise her for the effort of compiling a budget…

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Gov. Chris Gregoire and OFM Director Marty Brown unveil the proposed 2011-13 state budget in Olympia on 12/15/2010 (Andrew Zahler)

Gregoire budget slashes social programs, schools

Gov. Chris Gregoire and Office of Financial Management Director Marty Brown announce the proposed 2011-13 state budget.OLYMPIA--Saying the state faces an economic crisis that requires cuts and restructuring, Gov. Chris Gregoire is proposing deep cuts in some of the state programs that enhance schools and…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 14, 2010

WA State workers agree to cuts 

OLYMPIA -- Unions for state workers have agree tentatively to cuts in wages and increases in health premiums for the next two years.Union leaders and Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the tentative agreement, which include furloughs that will bring most wages down by 3 percent, in…

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The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.



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