OLYMPIA -- A disagreement over how to set the state's debt limit could lead to billions in state projects, including the proposed Spokane Medical School, being delayed, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown said today. To read the full post, or to comment, click here to…
Rep. Ross Hunter tells reporters Monday there's a deal on the operating budget, but it won't be released until Tuesday. OLYMPIA -- Budget negotiators have reached deal on the 2011-13 operating budget, Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle confirmed late this morning. "The good news is we…
OLYMPIA -- At some point today, probably late morning, the House will do something it has resisted for about 132 days: vote on a bill to change workers compensation system. The deal announced Sunday evening was printed up over night, setting up a vote sometime…
Gov. Chris Gregoire announces proposed changes to the Workers Compensation system as Sens. Lisa Brown and Mike Hewitt look on. OLYMPIA – An agreement on offering settlements to injured workers could remove one of the main obstacles to the Legislature passing a budget for the…
OLYMPIA -- An agreement on changes to the state's workers compensation system that is one of the keys to the Legislature settling on a budget was said to be "very close" this afternoon. Which is presumably closer than the "very close" it was to fruition…
OLYMPIA – The Senate agreed last week to extend tax breaks for film companies that shoot movies and TV shows in Washington. That makes economic sense, considering a movie being shot in Spokane generates jobs as well as a certain amount of buzz that can’t…
OLYMPIA – Legislators may reach a deal sometime today on one of the key stumbling blocks to passing a budget and adjourning, a spokesman for Gov. Chris Gregoire said Saturday evening. They still disagree on major changes proposed for the state’s workers compensation system but…
OLYMPIA -- Washington would ask potential buyers how much the state could get for its wholesale liquor distribution system in a bill approved today by the Senate. Overcoming objections of people who said it did too little and merely shifted the state's liquor monopoly to…
OLYMPIA -- As expected, a new proposal to privatize the liquor system in Washington was filed late Friday. Supporters include Costco, Northwest Grocery Association and the Washington Restaurant Association for a proposal that would let retailers with at least 10,000 square feet obtain liquor licenses…
With most legislators playing the waiting game, the most productive thing in the Capitol Saturday morning may have been the wedding photos being taken of Evaline and Dennis Zalevskiy, scene here pausing at the top of the Rotunda steps for their videographer. Afterwards, they entire…
OLYMPIA – The latest plan to allow Washington’s most populous counties to set up pilot programs for medical marijuana cooperatives may have limited prospects of passing this year. The proposal would allow counties with more than 200,000 people, or the cities in them, to adopt…
Initiative-meister and red-light camera-hater Tim Eyman is urging adherents to send e-mails to city leaders around the state decrying the tactics of a leading camera purveyor. The Spokane mayor and city councilmember were included in his missive this week to supporters, asking them to urge…
The Spokane City Council on Monday will decide if it will ask voters to approve a property tax increase to help balance the city’s budget next year. At a meeting earlier this week, there appeared to be little, if any, support on the council for…
OLYMPIA -- Day 25 will mostly deal with Ways and Means. Both the Senate and the House committees have hearings, but with two very different agendas. House Ways and Mean has a 9 a.m. start, with nine bills on the hearing agenda and nine scheduled…
OLYMPIA – As the Senate was extending tax breaks for companies that make movie in the state and killing a plan to extend tourism taxes in Seattle, signs emerged the Legislature might at least make an effort to finish work by next Wednesday’s deadline. Members…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate narrowly rejected a plan to extend taxes levied to build Seattle's baseball stadium as a way to pay for expansion of the state convention center, arts and culture programs and housing projects. By a 24-22 vote, a proposal to continue a…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate extended a tax incentive for motion picture production companies filming in Washington state over objections from critics that it was a "loophole" that doesn't bring much benefit to the state. On a 30-16 vote, the Senate approved SB 5539 which offers…
OLYMPIA -- The House of Representatives returns to work at 10 a.m. Saturday, with a warning that they can expect to work through the weekend. One source in the Capitol noted that Saturday is also the day some members of a small Christian sect believe…
Relatively calm this morning in and around the Capitol. OLYMPIA -- The Senate is scheduled to convene at 10 a.m., but doesn't have a schedule yet. They'll break to get some bills queued up shortly after invocation, then caucus, then go to lunch, then vote…
OLYMPIA -- The rumor mill was working harder than a lobbyist's Blackberry Wednesday. The Legislature will be in session until the fall. No, it will be done by next Wednesday. No, it will run out of time and be sent home, brought back the last…
OLYMPIA -- One week to go in the special session, but the pace is less than hectic. Senate Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to vote on proposals to consider selling or leasing the state's liquor distribution system, and to eliminate some tax breaks for…
OLYMPIA –Washington state needs a new way of electing appeals court judges to comply with the constitutional doctrine of one-person, one-vote, Spokane attorney Steve Eugster told the state Supreme Court Tuesday. But an attorney for the state countered that’s really a doctrine for picking legislators,…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate narrowly passed legislation to allow cigar lounges in Washington, despite warnings from some Democrats that the denizens of such establishments may be setting themselves up for some equipment problems down the road. Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, urged a no vote on…