OLYMPIA -- The House 2011-13 general fund operating budget will be released at lunchtime Monday, House Democrats said this afternoon. Ways and Means Chairman Ross Hunter has scheduled a "roll-out" press conference for 12:15 p.m. Monday, to be followed by a public hearing at 3:30…
OLYMPIA -- Stop me if you've heard this one: The House general operating fund budget for the 2011-13 biennium will be released Monday. That's the rumor, which is pretty much the same rumor floating around last Friday afternoon, except that last Friday afternoon when that…
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature has approved a ban in lawn fertilizer that contains phosphorus. On a 56-37 vote, it sent to the governor a bill that bans the sale of that type of fertilizer -- in most instances -- starting in 2013. The bill, HB…
OLYMPIA -- For those wondering why the state Legislature has yet to produce a 2011-13 budget (arguably the most important thing they will do this spring) State Rep. Marko Liias attempts to explain. If there was an Oscar for the most tortured analogy, this one…
OLYMPIA -- First day of April rolls around and reporters tend to hold their breath, wondering what sort of silliness might they be sent by fax, e-mail, voicemail, Twitter, Facebook...So many delivery systems, so little time. First such missive came early this morning from Sen.…
OLYMPIA -- A plan to rearrange state cultural agencies and find money for the Museum of Arts and Culture is on hold today after a House committee couldn't be sure it had the votes to pass amendments for it. Rep. Sam Hunt, chairman of the…
OLYMPIA -- A House committee is expected to slice many parts out of a bill that would have consolidated several arts and culture offices into one mega-agency, but still offer new funding for Spokane's Northwest Museulm of Arts and Culture. The House State Government and…
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