OLYMPIA – While the Legislature wrestles with a huge budget shortfall that generates hearings on everything from closing state institutions to raising college tuition, the most heavily attended hearing Wednesday involved a non-budget item.Marijuana. Should the state legalize it, or turn it into a civil…
The Washington Secretary of State's office is urging caution in making donations to relief operations for victims of the earthquake in Haiti."Often, scammers use tragedies like these to say they are helping a cause and to pocket the donations of generous people. Don’t be fooled!"…
Gov. Chris Gregoire will back legislation to allow defendants in Washington to be found guilty but mentally ill, and to be sent to prison instead of a mental hospital.Persons who have already been found not guilty by reason of insanity would face a new Safety…
The Lege has floor sessions at 10 a.m., and hearings off an on all day. Nothing as dramatic as the "State of the State", but more talk about, what else, the budget. There will also be some discussion about bills that would legalize marijuana. And…
A reference in last night's post on the Republicans throwing around nautical metaphors may have had many readers going "Huh? Sinking of the What?"The song is actually "The Legend of the USS Titanic", and while it was a staple of late night pirate radio in…
Legislative Republicans searched for the right metaphor to describe their situation regarding the state budget Tuesday.They say they've got lots of good ideas, if the governor and majority Democrats would only listen. Gov. Chris Gregoire said she'd listen to any ideas from anyone, called for…
Saying that many of the cuts she proposed last month are “unwise and unjust”, Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed a combination of program cuts, tax increases and federal aid to close the state’s projected $2.6 billion budget shortfall.Gregoire told a joint session of the Legislature they…
Here’s a list of the major programs Gov. Chris Gregoire wants to “buy back” by raising taxes and/or getting federal recovery money:K-12 Levy equalization, which sends state money to school districts with lower than average property tax bases. $165 million.Basic Health Plan, which provides health…
"Too many familes today are getting layoff notices. Watching unpaid bills pile up. Losing health care..." Gov. Chris Gregoire told the Legislature. "Let's not waste their time or the crisis.""Let's provide the decisive, compassionate leadership Washingtonians want and deserve."Rounds of applause, and the governor is…
Big round of applause on both sides of the aisle for this line:"Let's leave the partisan politics to elections. Washingtonians hate how divided things have become. They just want us to solve problems."
Communities are safer because the state gave law enforcement help to deal with sex offenders. Highways are safer because of tough DUI enforcement.But more needs to be done, Gov. Chris Gregoire said."Our families aren't safe...when a man convicte of the brutal murder of an elderly…
"Later today I will present a budget I can support. It counts on new revenue of about $750 million and cuts of almost $1 billion. The revenue will come from new federal dollars, new taxes or both," Gov. Chris Gregoire said."We mujst have a responsible,…
After ticking off the effects of the cuts she proposed in December, Gov. Chris Gregoire suggested the long-term costs would be too high.We can make cuts that will write off a generation of kids...We can make the cuts and waita for higher dropout rates and…
Gov. Chris Gregoire says her December budget was balanced, but "unfair, unwise."It eliminates hospice care 2,500 patients, maternity care for 50,000 at-risk moms, eliminates health care for 70,000 individuals, 16,000 children, early learning for 1,500 kids, does away with all-day kindergarten, college aid for 12,300…
State residents "don't want to drive across town to brick-and-mortar government offices," Gov. Chris Gregoire says. She wants more online applications, computer kiosks to apply for permits. Department of Licensing is closing or modifying 26 offices. Different state agencies are sharing data, using one scientist…
Gov. Chris Gregoire's description of work to attract clean technology to the state and Forbes Magazine's high ranking for Washington as a place to do business gets applause from Democrats. Republicans seem unimpressed.She's calling for 40,000 new jobs this year by attracting $2 billion in…
Jobs will come from the growth industries of the new economy, Gov. Chris Gregoire says.Citizens "definigtely don't want business as usual from government. They want real government reform, real service improvement and more value for their tax dollar..."They want us to make the tough choices...Jobs…
"In the best of times, people forget legislative sessions. In the worst of times, history shows decisiveness is what matters," Gov. Chris Gregoire says."Now is the time for compassion."
Gov. Chris Gregoire ticked off elements of what she called "the wors national economic collaps in 80 years," and their effects on Washington state.-- 475,000signing up for unemployment benefits-- 1 in 13 Washingtonians receiving basic food assistance.-- 26,000 homes in foreclosure-- 86,000 on Basic Health…
Gov. Chris Gregoire welcomed the Legislature back to work with a less than cheery outlook for the state, its economy and its citizens."It's an understatement to say this year will be incredibly challenging," she said in her opening remarks after greeting state officials and justices,…
Colors posted, color guard has withdrawn. Speech imminent.
Before the governor speaks, the colors have to be presented. They're being marched in by the color guard from the Washington State Patrol, to the accompanying strains of bagpipes."Star Spangled Banner" coming next.
With introductions of state officials, tribal leaders and consular officials over, Gov. Chris Gregoire is enterring the House chambers for the "state of the state" speech.All rise...Applause all around, somewhat more spirited from the Democratic side of the aisle, but hugs for members on both…
The Washington State Supreme Court is being introduced to the assembled legislators.Statewide elected officials are next.
State senators are filing into the House chambers for the "state of the state" speech to a standing ovation from the state reps.Any bets on whether this is the nicest the two chambers will be toward each other for the next 59 days.
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.
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