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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control archive for June 2013

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013


WA Lege: That's all, folks

OLYMPIA – After 153 days, the Washington Legislature decided Saturday it had had enough, even though Gov. Jay Inslee wanted it to do more. In quick succession, the House and Senate passed a $3.6 billion spending plan for large capital construction projects with large majorities…

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Capital budget passes. Lege to adjourn

OLYMPIA -- The Legislature passed a $3.6 billion capital projects budget this evening as its last action of its protracted session. In quick succession, the House and Senate both passed the list of projects and gave the state the authority to sell bonds to build…

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OLYMPIA -- Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline, holds Henry Schlicher on the floor of the Senate while his father, Sen. Nathan Schlicher, D-Gig Harbor, handles a motion during debate Saturday. (Jim Camden)

Quite moment on Senate floor

OLYMPIA -- Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline, holds Henry Schlicher while his father, Sen. Nathan Schlicher, D-Gig Harbor, handles a motion on the Senate floor. The extended special session prompted Schlicher to bring his son to the Legislature Saturday.

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Transpo package dead

OLYMPIA -- That sound you heard was the last gasp death rattle of a $10 billion plan to raise gasoline taxes to pay for new road projects, fix existing roads and bridges and boost mass transit. Despite a plea from Gov. Jay INslee earlier in…

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FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2013

Legislature passes budget

OLYMPIA — With strong bipartisan majorities in both houses, the Legislature passed a $33.6 billion operating budget, staving off a threatened shutdown of some state government services. After nearly six months which included a 105-day regular session, a first special session of 30 days and…

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What's in the state budget "deal", anyway?

OLYMPIA -- There was very little information on the 2013-15 operating budget that was announced Thursday, and only "broad-brush" details emerged during the day. Late last night, however, the Legislature got the whole enchilada up on the budget website. Plenty of time for everyone to…

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THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

French named to MRSC post

Spokane County Commissioner Al French has been elected secretary of the board of directors of the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington. That puts him on track to become vice president in 2014 and president in 2015. French in a news release said he…

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OLYMPIA-Gov. Jay Inslee and legislative negotiators announce they've reached a deal on the state's operating budget. (Jim Camden)

Budget agreement reached

Inslee and legislative leaders say there's a budget deal. OLYMPIA – After 150 days of debating, posturing and negotiating legislative leaders and Gov. Jay Inslee reached agreement Thursday – Day 151 – on a $33.6 billion spending plan to carry many state programs through the…

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Tougher DUI bill passes House

OLYMPIA -- Like the Senate a day before, the House gave unanimous approval Thursday to tougher penalties for people who drive drunk or under the influence of drugs. It requires anyone arrested on a second driving under the influence charge be taken to jail, spends…

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OLYMPIA-Gov. Jay Inslee and legislative negotiators announce they've reached a deal on the state's operating budget. (Jim Camden)

Announcing the deal

OLYMPIA -- Here's what it looked like when Gov. Jay Inslee announced they had a budget deal. . . just before the left without answering any questions about it Left to right: Senate Ways and Means Chairman Andy Hill, House Minority Leader Dan Kristiansen, Senate…

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Senate passes tougher DUI bill

OLYMPIA – The Senate gave unanimous approval Wednesday to tougher laws against people who drive drunk or under the influence of drugs, particularly repeat offenders. The proposal would require an automatic arrest for a second offense, and require ignition interlock devices on their vehicles before…

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OLYMPIA -- Mary Alice Heuschel, Gov. Jay Inslee's chief of staff, explains the effects of a state shutdown next week to reporters. (Jim Camden)

Gov's office preps for shutdown, hopes for deal

Heuschel describes some effects of a partial state government shutdown to reporters Wednesday. OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee's staff tried to emphasize "tremendous concern" over a potential government shutdown that could be required next week without suggesting "the sky is falling". But they stressed there…

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TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

OLYMPIA -- Members of the Backbone Campaign try to right an elephant they are inflating in the Capitol Rotunda as part of their call for a state income tax. (Jim Camden)

This protest required a lot of air 

Protesters work to prop up an elephant they are inflating on the Capitol Rotunda floor as part of a call for a state income tax. OLYMPIA -- As legislative leaders sweated the small stuff on the operating budget and other members awaited word of a…

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Running out of 'close' metaphors. A good sign? 

OLYMPIA -- Legislative budget negotiators appear to be running out of ways to describe how close they are to an agreement without actually reaching one. Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom, D-Medina, described the sides simply as "so close" and unlike last week wouldn't venture a…

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MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2013

Budget deal? Not yet

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee might be the latest player in the state's budget drama to offer an overly optimistic prediction of a possible conclusion. Legislative sources said late Monday afternoon it seemed unlikely a handshake over a budget agreement would come by Monday night.…

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OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee tells reporters he thinks a deal on the 2013-15 budget could be struck by the end of the day Monday. (Jim Camden)

Inslee: Budget deal "very close"

Inslee predicts budget agreement by end of Monday. OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee said legislators are could reach an agreement on the 2013-15 operating budget by the end of the day. "The current state of negotiations gives me confidence that agreement is imminent," Inslee told…

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Spec Sess II Day 13: Layoff notices go out 

OLYMPIA -- Most state agencies sent notices to their employees around 1 p.m. about temporary layoffs that would be coming if the Legislature does not pass a budget by June 30. If negotiators for the House and Senate reach an agreement that can be passed…

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SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013


Sunday Spin2: Clarifying on the estate tax

Last Sunday’s column on possible budget movement in the moribund Legislature included a brief reference to a recently passed change in the estate tax designed to overcome a state Supreme Court ruling that was about to require refunds to some families. A member of one…

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