OLYMPIA – The Legislature approved new limits to a major welfare program for those unable to work because of physical or mental health problems, and changed its name from General Assistance-Unemployable to the Disability Lifeline.Under the new rules that passed both houses Monday, those unable…
OLYMPIA – A special legislative session to address the state’s budget problems will continue until one side or the other blinks on the sales tax.On one side: A majority of Democrats who control the Senate want to increase the sales tax as part of their…
OLYMPIA -- Washington's Republican attorney general will join other states in a lawsuit against the federal health care reform plan, a move its Democratic governor denounced as "not representing the people of this state."Attorney General Rob McKenna said Monday afternoon he would join a lawsuit…
OLYMPIA -- Secretary of State Sam Reed is out of surgery for kidney cancer, and his wife Maggie reports "everything went really well."Reed had a minimally invasive surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. He's not expected to need chemotherapy unless the cancer…
OLYMPIA -- The two competing factions in the Legislature (House Democrats and Senate Democrats) have staked out their territory on taxes.While they try to negotiate a compromise, or until one side gives in to the other, the houses will be debating and voting on a…
The New York Times has a nice map that shows how members of Congress voted yesterday on the Health Care legislation.As a sometime maker of political maps, Spin Control recommends it to those who enjoy visuals. Find it here:
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.
