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Spin Control archive for Feb. 2010

SATURDAY, FEB. 27, 2010


WA Lege Day 48: Senate passes budget

OLYMPIA – With the bare minimum votes needed and debate over taxes yet to come, Senate Democrats passed a general fund budget Saturday designed to close the state’s $2.8 billion budget gap.Even without a firm decision on which taxes to add or alter to raise…

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WA Lege Day 48: WEA amendment fails

OLYMPIA -- Washington teachers should be able to tap into a union trust fund to reduce their health insurance costs, Senate Republicans argued in the debate over the state's budget.Republican Sen. Dale Brandland proposed an amendment that allows teachers to tap into the Washington Education…

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Gregoire: Stay off beaches with tsunami advisory

OLYMPIA -- Washington coastal beaches are under a tsunami advisory as a result of the earthquake in Chile, which means folks should stay away from them, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Saturday.Here's her full statement:“Our hearts are with the people of Chile following last night's earthquake.…

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WA Lege Day 48: 'Retarded' term struck from law books

OLYMPIA -- Rahm Emmanuel take note: You'll have to watch your language in this Washington.The state Senate gave unanimous approval Saturday to a law that takes the term "mentally retarded" from state law, substituting it instead with the phrase "individuals with intellectual disabilities.""We all know…

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WA Lege Day 48: Ain't no such thing

OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats called for a two-minute caucus, and after they left Lt. Gov. Brad Owen,who presides over the chamber to express some doubts about their ability to tell time."Three words that don't go together: two minute and caucus," he said.They've been out for…

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WA Lege: Fill in the blanks

OLYMPIA -- Proposed budgets are almost always "fluid documents." This year's budget proposals are so fluid that House Democrats don't even have a tax package yet and Senate Democrats are making changes so fast that they aren't even numbered.Last night in a Senate Ways and…

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FRIDAY, FEB. 26, 2010


More fun video: Stewart does the Health Care summit

The Daily Show had its take on the Health Care Summit last night. It's worth watching, particularly for those who OD'd on C-Span Thursday.The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cBipartisan Health Care Reform Summit 2010www.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorVancouverage 2010

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WA Lege Day 47: Budget hearings

OLYMPIA -- The Ways and Means committees for both chambers have hearings this afternoon on their respective operating budget proposals.The challenge may be greater for the House W&M panel, however, because at this point, House Democrats have not yet spelled out the "means" to pay…

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THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 2010

Boundary Dam bill advances

OLYMPIA – One of this session's David vs. Goliath matches involves Pend Oreille County in the role of the shepherd with the slingshot, and Seattle City Light, starring as the over-sized Philistine. The utility may take issue with the characterization, but few other people would…

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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24, 2010

Gregoire signs I-960 suspension 

OLYMPIA – There was no drama, but plenty of theatrics, as Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill Wednesday making it easier for the Legislature to raise taxes.Gregoire signed a 16-month suspension of some provisions of Initiative 960 as its prime sponsor Tim Eyman looked on,…

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House Dems: No tax package today

OLYMPIA -- Democrats in the House of Representatives are not yet ready to describe the "means" to support their "ways."When announcing a general fund budget Tuesday that had lists of cuts and a fairly specific number for the amount raised in taxes -- $857 million…

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Lege Rs: Democrats plans will cost jobs

OLYMPIA -- House and Senate Republican leaders denounced budgets proposals from the other party for raising taxes that will touch everyone and hurt small businesses.Sen. Joe Zarelli, of Ridgefield, the GOP's top numbers guy in the Legislature, said the wide array of potential tax increases…

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WA Lege Day 45: More tax talk

OLYMPIA -- House Democrats are expected to explain what or who they would tax to raise an extra $857 million through the middle of 2011.Their budget that was released Tuesday had a list of cuts they would make, and explained how much money they expected…

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



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