OLYMPIA--Some of the problems with the original bill suspending the supermajority required for tax increases have been removed, Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, said.That doesn't necessarily mean any Republicans will vote for it, he said.Democrats defended the suspension."This is a significant issue. We do not take…
OLYMPIA -- A Republican amendment described as an attempt to fix technical problems with the title is being discussed."Enough is enough," Sen. Rodney Tom, a Democratic vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee argues. "It's time to vote" on the bill itself.Amendment fails 22-26,…
OLYMPIA -- Arguing against changes to the state's supermajority for tax increases continues, and some senators are attempting to usie t to their best advantage"The citizens voted their conscience. Now we're throwing that away. We're ignoring the will of the people," Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver,…
OLYMPIA -- Republicans argue that the bill should remove the emergency clause, because immediate enactment would block any chance of referendum by voters unhappy with suspending I-960. They have an amendment to that effect.Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, "How can you say it's an emergency when…
OLYMPIA --First up is a Republican amendment that limits the suspension for just this session.Sen. Mike Carrell, R, warns that if Democrats repeal the provisions of Initiative 960, "there will be another referendum in November" on them.Sen. Pam Roach, R: "There will probably be a…
OLYMPIA -- A debate on how to debate the changes to tax-raising laws pits Republicans, who want to be able to have unlimited debate, against Democrats, who say that three-minutes per senator is enough and unlimited debate is really just obstructionism.Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said…
OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats are making a move to simplify changes to rules governing tax increases. Rather than a complicated array of changes to Initiative 960, they are suggesting an amendment that simply suspends it until July 1, 2011.The original bill suspended the two-thirds majority…
OLYMPIA-- The Senate has returned from caucus and will take up SB 6843, the bill to suspend supermajority votes for tax increases
OLYMPIA -- The Senate is "at ease", going into caucus to discuss something.While they don't have to announce, it's likely for the upcoming vote on the bill to suspend Initiative 960 rules on supermajorities for tax increases.Stay tuned.
OLYMPIA -- The Senate approved a round of budget reductions as a downpayment on more cuts to come.On a bipartisan vote, it approved the latest version of cuts first approved in the House of Representatives, ESHB 2921. Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, seemed to be foreshadowing…
OLYMPIA -- By a vote of 48-0, the Senate suspended bonuses for state employees not covered by union contracts.Vote on suspending super-majority for tax increases coming, likely before lunchtime
OLYMPIA --The state Senate has reconvened for floor debate on several major bills.First up, after confirming several gubernatorial appointments and introducing guests in the gallery, will be the debate over a bill covering flooding in the Green River Valley,That will be followed by a bill…
OLYMPIA -- The state Senate will vote soon on whether to suspend the supermajority provisions of I-960 for tax increases.Republican members have been ready for a while, walking about the floor making "drink the Kool-Aid" references. Democrats are just coming out of their caucus where…
OLYMPIA -- This year's regular legislative session is half over, and while there's not much to show for it so far, the Senate may be pushing ahead this morning with a vote over suspending the supermajority provisions in Initiative 960.The Senate Ways and Means Committee…
State Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, will have a challenger in the November election.Republican Michael J. Baumgartner, 34, filed paperwork last week with the state Public Disclosure Commission indicating that he will run against Marr for the senate seat representing the Sixth Legislative District, one of…
OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats pushed changes to voter-approved tax-raising restrictions out of committee today, moving one of the more contentious issues of the legislative session toward a floor debate.Democrats on the Senate Ways and Means Committee rejected several amendments proposed by Republicans that would have…
OLYMPIA -- Some obituaries were written over the weekend for bills that "died" in the Senate last week. That is, they didn't get out of their committee after having a hearing .It's a list with enough diversity to make everyone shed a tear and heave…
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire says there are too many questions about last week's court ruling on the state's definition of "basic education" to say whether she supports an appeal.Billions of dollars of state school funding could be at risk in the decision by a…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate Ways and Means Committee is expected to vote this afternoon on a bill that would suspend supermajorities for tax increases. If it comes out of committee as expected, it could go to a floor debate on Tuesday.Elsewhere, the House Ways and…
OLYMPIA – One of the surest things about this legislative session is that police officers will be honored.The only real question is how many proposals, from better pension benefits for slain officers’ families to constitutional amendments to keep more bad guys in jail, will be…
Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Dave Stevens said early this afternoon that he has officially informed his boss, Prosecutor Steve Tucker, that he is running against him in the August primary.The meeting, which started about 10:30 a.m., lasted a minute and a half or less, Stevens…
OLYMPIA -- The state Senate has passed a resolution affirming that they really, really like the Boeiing Co.Even though it moved its headquarters to Chicago and plans to open an assembly line for its new jetliner in South Carolina, the state appreciates all the aerospace…
Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Dave Stevens should find out more about his employment status this morning when he meets with his boss, Prosecutor Steve Tucker.Stevens announced this week that he will challenge Tucker in the August primary. Both are Republicans. On Thursday, Tucker said “all…
OLYMPIA -- A resolution honoring basketball legend John Stockton for his careers at Gonzaga Prep, Gonzaga University and the Utah Jazz has been introduced in the state House of Representatives.It honors Stockton, the recent Hall of Fame inductee, for his basketball accomplishments, contributions to the…
Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Dave Stevens announced Thursday that he'll challenge his boss, Prosecutor Steve Tucker, in the August primary.Both Tucker and Stevens are Republicans, and the battle is off to a tough start."Until I came here, I'd never seen a total lack of leadership,"…
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.
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