OLYMPIA – Local governments should see a jump in tax revenue in mid May as the state funnels some $57 million from a recent tax amnesty to them, but the exact amount each city and county will see from the program won’t be known for…
OLYMPIA -- Supporters of better laws defining medical marijuana procedures are "rolling another one". Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells, D-Seattle, introduced a bill today that she believes will overcome Gov. Chris Gregoire's concerns about the previous bill, which was mostly vetoed late last month. The new bill,…
OLYMPIA -- Police could not park their unmarked cars on private property and do routine administrative work under a bill introduced by two Valley legislators. The bill, a reaction to the shooting of Pastor Wayne Scott Creach in the Spokane Valley, isn't likely to get…
Spokane will borrow about $4 million from itself to pay for improvements near the University District along Division Street. The money will be repaid in payments of $250,000 a year over 25 years with sales tax money collected in Spokane that otherwise would have been…
OLYMPIA -- Federal prosecutors may mean what they say about charging state employees who oversee medical marijuana operations, a state lawyer told legislators looking for direction on finding a law that can navigate the controversy. Deputy Solicitor General Jeffrey Even told legislators he can't predict…
During a major fund-raising dinner Friday, state Republicans held a "straw poll" on the field of GOP candidates for president in 2012. The winner, by a whisker, was Herman Cain. For those of you out there saying "Herman who?", Cain is the former CEO of…
OLYMPIA -- The cherry blossoms are out on the trees near the Capitol Building along the appropriately named Cherry Lane. These are the Kwansan cherry trees, which bloom a few weeks later than the Yoshino cherry trees, Steve Valandra of the Department of General Administration…
Normally, Spin Control wouldn't pay any mind to a campaign commercial from a mayoral race in New Jersey. But this one is so much fun that it makes one wonder what sort of creative spots we could see in the Spokane municpal campaigns if candidates…
OLYMPIA -- Both chambers of the Legislature are scheduled to be in session today after a long weekend. No details yet on what they'll be doing. Senate will go straight to caucus after their 11 a.m. start, and is expected to take votes on some…
OLYMPIA – Business organizations regularly bemoan how little recognition, respect and support they get from the state. But evidence to the contrary was clear last week, when the state announced a “windfall” of some $321 million from a tax amnesty program. It showed that when…
The honor guard arrives Friday for the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor/Peace Officers Memorial ceremony. OLYMPIA – After the bugler played “Taps”, the bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” and the honor guard was dismissed Friday, Marjorie Petersen and Manuel de Encio went to the state Law…
The Daily Show - Definitely, Maybe Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook For those who are tired of the over-analyzing of the political significance of Osama bin Laden's death.
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature may be gone, but the Capitol campus won't be empty today. Gov. Chris Gregoire and Attorney General Rob McKenna will be presenting the state's Medal of Honor to two law enforcement officers at a ceremony today. The 1 p.m. ceremony, at…
OLYMPIA -- Don't look for anything out of the Legislature today. Both chambers are gone through the weekend. No committee hearings until Monday, either. Perhaps they are resting up for the grueling pace yet to come. It's unlikely they'd need to rest from the pace…
OLYMPIA -- The special session finishes its first third today with both chambers in "pro forma" session. Pro forma is Latin for "nothing much going on and most of the members somewhere else." They won't be doing floor work until next week. House and Senate…
OLYMPIA – From frozen bull semen and chicken bedding to big banks’ mortgage profits, Senate Democrats took aim at the state’s system of tax breaks for businesses Wednesday. They generated support from people who don’t want the Legislature to close the projected $5.1 billion gap…
The Colbert Report Tags: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive For those who couldn't stay awake to catch the Colbert Report, here's his take on the suggestion that President Obama is using Osama bin Laden's death to boost his poll numbers.
OLYMPIA -- With American flags sprouting from every desk, senators seemed to swell with patriotic pride and honored members of the armed forces and their commander-in-chief after Sunday's mission that killed Osama bin Laden. Senate Resolution 8661honors President Obama for "strong, thoughtful leadership"; the military…
OLYMPIA -- Senate Ways and Means Committee may generate the most excitement of the special session to day, with a hearing on several proposals to change tax exemptions, thus bringing in more revenue and mitigating the need for as much as $5 billion in cuts…
OLYMPIA – Large cattle trucks coming into Washington from Idaho will have to use Interstate 90 and stay off other roads like East Trent or face a $1,000 fine under a law signed Tuesday by Gov. Chris Gregoire. The law targets commercial cattle trucks, some…
OLYMPIA -- A few days after their party's governor vetoed most of the medical marijuana bill last week, House Democrats are asking a likely Republican gubernatorial candidate for a little help on crafting a new version. Fifteen Democratic representatives, including Spokane's Andy Billig, signed a…
OLYMPIA -- The state collected $321 million in delinquent taxes from nearly 9,000 businesses through an amnesty program that ended Saturday. The success of the program surprised state officials, who were expecting to pick up about $24 million when the program was proposed in December.…
The Daily Show - Big DeadyTags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook Jon Stewart continues to deliver some of the best political commentary anywhere, marking Osama bin Laden's death with well-directed satire and just the right amount of celebration.
OLYMPIA -- The Senate returns today from a long weekend to caucuses in the morning and a Ways and Means Committee hearing in the afternoon. The committee has a recently added bill, one that calls for a study of best way to lease the state's…
OLYMPIA -- House Republicans tried to force a hearing and vote on a proposal to change the state's workers compensation system but failed Monday afternoon. At issue is a plan which would allow for voluntary compromise and release of workers compensation payments an employee might…