OLYMPIA -- Legislative leaders resumed their negotiations with the governor, apparently close to a possible agreement on the budget and surrounding issues. "We're coming back to see if we've actually got an agreement," Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, said as leaders of both parties…
OLYLMPIA -- After meeting for about two hours, legislative leaders left their discussions with the governor to discuss a possible "framework for an agreement" with their members that could end the stalemate over the budget. Leaders of both parties from the two chambers circumvented reporters…
OLYMPIA -- A meeting among legislative leaders, top budget writers and Gov. Chris Gregoire continues into the evening as the group looks for a way to reach agreements on budgets and reforms connected to that spending plan. Three reforms are reportedly under discussion: a way…
OLYMPIA -- A summit between legislative leaders, their top budget writers and Gov. Chris Gregoire took a break about 3:30 p.m., but is scheduled to resume at 4 p.m. Legislators came out saying they'd been told by Gregoire not to talk about the details of…
OLYMPIA -- Legislative leaders and their top budget writers were given a proposal by Gov. Chris Gregoire that represents her "go-home" proposal, her staff said. Democrats and Republicans met separately on the proposal -- which includes a version of the K-12 insurance reforms, pension reforms…
OLYMPIA -- Legislative leaders and budget writers of both houses began huddling with the governor about 12:30 p.m., looking for a way to wrap up business before the clock runs out on the special session at midnight tomorrow. On the plus side, everyone was quite…
OLYMPIA -- Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt is back in the Senate wings today, less than a week after having surgery to remove a tumor from his chest. The procedure to remove a tumor from his thymus, a small organ in the chest, was similar…
OLYMPIA - Less than 48 hours left in the extra special session and both houses expect some work on 'reform' bills. The House Ways and Means Committee has a noon hearing on bills that passed the Senate on Saturday: new requirements for community supervision of…
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