OLYMPIA -- Snow and ice around the state have prompted Gov. Chris Gregoire to declare a winter storm emergency, activating the National Guard and suspending rules for delivering milk from dairies. Gregoire's emergency declaration orders the adjutant general to activate whatever units necessary to help…
OLYMPIA -- The latest incarnation of a bill to add structure Washington's medical marijuana laws has supporters who don't like parts of it and opponents who do. People who operate clinics and dispensaries questioned the need for a voluntary registry of medical marijuana patients. Law…
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature is attempting to muddle through with diminished numbers this morning in the midst of "snow-maggedon" in the South Puget Sound. It did stick to committee schedules this morning, although many hearings had fewer people present to testify because roads are so…
OLYMPIA -- A snowy day in the capital, but the Senate Health Care Committee does have a hearing on a medical marijuana bill this morning that is happening. Witnesses and senators were a bit late getting in, but they did get to Sen. Jeanne Kohl…
Spokane’s only tax revenue geared specifically for sidewalks won’t be diverted for street paving by the City Council’s new membership. The council last year narrowly approved a $20-per vehicle tab tax and mandated that 10 percent be spent on sidewalks while the rest be spent…
Rep. John Ahern, (center with back to the camera) addresses the March for Life rally on the north Capitol steps Tuesday. OLYMPIA -- A couple of inches of sloppy snow did not keep pro-life groups from participating in the annual March for Life this afternoon.…
If you've watched the Republican presidential candidates debate over the last several months, you may have noticed that they're all getting more comfortable and more animated as they get more practice. You can tell by the way they use their hands to make their points.…
OLYMPIA – A bipartisan group of legislators is pushing a dozen bills to combat human trafficking, particularly among teenage runaways they say are lured into prostitution. Among the targets of the legislation are ads for “escort services” that appear in the back of some newspapers…
OLYMPIA – State workers and public school employees in Washington are supposed to take an oath that they aren’t a member of the Communist Party or any other subversive organization. At least, that’s what state law has said since 1951, when the Subversive Activities Act…
OLYMPIA -- Although most of state government is off today, the Legislature has a work day scheduled. In keeping with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the House has a resolution honoring the late civil rights leader it will pass this morning with some amount…
After dinging Rep. Andy Billig a bit below on proposed changes to voter registration, it only seems fair to note an excellent idea of his, which also got a hearing last week. The Spokane Democrat has a bill that would set the same $800 limit…
OLYMPIA – Washington voters have a very good track record of casting ballots – among the best in the country. Is it perfect? No. Could it be better? Yes. Are there people who should vote but don’t? Probably. Is it worth making major changes to…
OLYMPIA — For the first time in two decades, Sen. Lisa Brown said she won't be in the Capitol Monday on Martin Luther King Day. Although it's a state holiday, the Legislature is always in session and traditionally works on that day. Next Monday, however,…
OLYMPIA – A bipartisan group of legislators, backed by business and education reform groups, announced a push Thursday for charter schools and new teacher evaluations. The Washington Education Association immediately questioned where the money would come from for charter schools and how the evaluation systems…
OLYMPIA – One of the most popular ways to register to vote is to sign up when applying for a driver’s license. Unless you’re 16 or 17, the time when most drivers get their first license but are too young to vote. State Rep. Andy…
OLYMPIA -- Senate Democratic leaders think they've narrowed a stack of possible reforms that some member wants to a smaller list they may be able to pass. The reforms would save at least $50 million in this budget cycle, and as much as $300 million…
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature as a whole is moving at a standard "let's get back up to speed" pace of the first week of session, but individual members are itching for attention to key issues. That's the only conclusion one can draw from the fact…
OLYMPIA – Banning plastic shopping bags throughout the state would keep them from showing up along roadsides, in landfills and in the bellies of whales in the Puget Sound, the sponsor of a proposed ban said Wednesday. But it would also force people out of…
Arun Raha reads from a list of his Top 10 "Arun-isms". OLYMPIA -- Dr. Arun Raha, the state's chief economist who delivered some the worst financial news in more than a half-century but managed a quip or a laugh to help ease the pain, is…
The ballots are counted in New Hampshire, which means presidential candidates and the nation's political reporters can ignore the state for another three and a half years. But before rushing off to South Carolina to dissect whether this will be the end of the GOP…
Residents of Spokane's 3rd Legislative District might be getting a call around 6 p.m. Wednesday inviting them to participate in a tele-town hall. A what? you might say. It's like a town hall meeting, only on the telephone. Sen. Lisa Brown and Reps. Timm Ormsby…
Sofia Smith of Seattle sings the National Anthem to a joint session of the Legislature before Gov. Chris Gregoire's State of the State speech. OLYMPIA -- By reading the posts below, you can get the highlights of Gov. Chris Gregoire's State of the State speech…
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposal to place a $1.50 per barrel fee on oil produced in Washington state got a cold reception from Republican leaders. Speaking at a press conference after the State of the State address and Republican response, House Minority Leader Richard…
OLYMPIA -- The budget and reforms represent a bold agenda, but there's one more request, Gov. Chris Gregoire said. "It is time for marriage equality," she said. That brought strong applause and cheers from Democrats on one side of the chamber, but stone silence from…
OLYMPIA -- When we build roads, they don't take care of themselves, Gov. Chris Gregoire said. The state has to do it. The state faces a $1.6 billion shortfall on road maintenance over the next decade and a $1.3 billion shortfall on the ferry maintenance.…
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