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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control archive for Feb. 2012

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 29, 2012

A dam good bill with some teeth in it

OLYMPIA -- Beavers making a nuisance of themselves in Western Washington could be relocated to Eastern Washington areas that need their help in damming streams, but the furry critters from Eastern Washington couldn't be shipped west under a bill approved Wednesday by the Senate. Seems…

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Precinct caucuses: The where, what and how

Eastern Washington Republicans might know the “who” for their precinct caucuses this weekend. Three of the four presidential hopefuls have stopped in Spokane over the last three weeks, and all of them have been debating and campaigning for months. Caucus goers might also know the…

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Dem freshmen leap into tax reform

OLYMPIA -- Democratic freshmen in the House called this morning for tax reforms ranging from a state capital gains tax to an end to sales tax exemptions for out-of-state shoppers. At a press conference, a dozen first-term Democratic reps also said they'd like the Office…

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TUESDAY, FEB. 28, 2012

MONDAY, FEB. 27, 2012

Korean War vets' day: July 27

OLYMPIA -- The Legislature has approved setting aside July 27 as Korean War Veterans' Armistice Day. Today the Senate voted 48-0 on HB 2138, a bill which earlier passed the House 95-0. Why July 27? That's the day in 1953 the armistice was signed after…

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SATURDAY, FEB. 25, 2012

Sunday Spin: Reaching a deal on ORVs

OLYMPIA – With all the examples of disharmony in the Legislature, it’s nice to tell a tale of folks with different agendas finding common ground and working together. Although it doesn’t involve such high-profile issues as taxes or budgets or gay marriage or abortion, there…

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FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2012

THURSDAY, FEB. 23, 2012

WA Lege Day 46: Will they finish on time

OLYMPIA -- With two weeks left in the 2012 session, and the Senate's budget proposal still about four days away from being released, some legislators are expressing doubt that they will leave town on time. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown said Thursday, however, she thought…

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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22, 2012


Gay marriage foes challenge ballot language

OLYMPIA -- Opponents of same-sex marriage don't like the ballot language that Attorney General Rob McKenna has written for the referendum to overturn the law signed last week. In a motion filed this week in Thurston County Superior Court, Preserve Marriage Washington argues that the…

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TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 2012



Gingrich coming to Spokane 

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will hold a campaign rally downtown Spokane on Thursday afternoon. His Washington campaign coordinator said Gingrich will be at The Bing Theater at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. It was earlier described…

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MONDAY, FEB. 20, 2012


OLYMPIA -- U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (left) and Patty Murray meet in the wings of the state Senate on Feb. 20, 2012. Cantwell was coming out of the Senate Democratic Caucus after talking to its members and Murray was going in. They were in the state on the President's Day recess, and both stopped by the state Capitol to talk with fellow Democrats. (Jim Camden)

Fancy meeting you here

OLYMPIA -- You never know who will show up in the "wings" of the Senate or House chambers. That's the area behind the curtains, off the main floor, where members come and go, chat, discuss legislation. On Monday, two former legislators who have now gone…

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Presidents' Day Trivia

Although Wednesday is technically (although not actually*) Washington's Birthday, today is President's Day. It's a day we give a holiday to most government workers, banks, some parking meters and mail delivery. Congress gets the day off, despite the Separation of Powers. The Washington Legislature does…

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SATURDAY, FEB. 18, 2012

Sunday Spin: Does familiarity breed endorsement?

With presidential candidates making their quadrennial stops in the Inland Northwest ahead of the caucuses, Republican voters might be wondering how to pick among the four remaining candidates. After all, none of the four has very strong connections to the region, or has spent much…

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FRIDAY, FEB. 17, 2012




THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 2012

The other ballot measure against gay marriage

OLYMPIA -- A Thurston County judge has settled on ballot language for Initiative 1192, which would prohibit same-sex marriage by defining marriage as a civil contract between a man and a woman. This is not to be confused with Referendum 74, which would prohibit same-sex…

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The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.



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