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Rossi makes case with small-business owners
Republican challenger Dino Rossi told a room full of small-business owners in Spokane on Monday that he is the candidate they should elect if they want a chance at restoring the American dream. Rossi, trying to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, took particularly sharp aim at federal spending, saying $30 billion could be saved immediately by halting planned raises for government workers and freezing wages at their current levels. Substantially more could be saved by trimming federal jobs created during the past two years.
Voters consider three amendments to Idaho Constitution
Almost 30 years ago, Idaho’s largest public hospital built a new building, paying for it by issuing $30 million in revenue bonds. Construction began on Kootenai Medical Center’s main building in 1984 and the hospital paid off that debt in 1995, said Joe Morris, CEO of Kootenai Health, which includes the hospital.
Reed discusses Washington elections and future of voting
Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, a Republican in his third term, sat down recently with The Spokesman-Review to talk about the upcoming election. Reed has been a champion for the top-two primary system, which is now in its third election cycle and was recently adopted by California. He also favors voting by mail.
Initiative support tepid in poll
Washington voters may be experiencing initiative overload this year with a near-record number of ballot measures. They can stage a “tax revolt” by lifting new taxes imposed by the Legislature in April or reinstate a two-thirds supermajority for any tax increase. They can also impose an income tax on people who make more than $200,000.
Statewide poll finds tea party strongest in east
As she watches her family struggle through the recession, retired nurse Linda Durant says she is “absolutely fed up” with government. The Spokane Valley resident blames George W. Bush and the Republicans for getting the country into the economic mess and Barack Obama and the Democrats for not doing enough lately to get it out. Not strong for either major political party right now, she finds the tea party movement more in line with her politics and would like the recent health care reforms repealed to keep the government from meddling in everyone’s medical care.
GOP platform proves vexing in Spokane County
Much of the county Republican Party’s platform reflects longtime GOP values: Limited government. Gun rights. Lower taxes. An end to abortion. But some of the platform’s 120 policy statements make more-surprising calls, for, among other things: An end to no-fault divorce. A return to the gold standard. Tax incentives for the shoe and textile industry. U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Spin Control: Beneath data, a glimpse into voters’ thinking
Washington voters tend to stick with incumbents, with notable exceptions. They ousted Sen. Warren G. Magnuson in 1980, when he was among the most powerful members of the Senate. They ousted Speaker Tom Foley in 1994, when he was the most powerful member of the House. They replaced three-term Sen. Slade Gorton with Maria Cantwell in 2000.
Allred ad touts disputed tax role
BOISE – Another fight has erupted over the accuracy of 2010 campaign ads, with Republicans arguing that Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Keith Allred has no cause to boast about killing Gov. Butch Otter’s proposed gas tax hike. A recent Allred ad claimed he and his nonpartisan reform group, The Common Interest, “stopped Butch Otter’s gas tax and registration fee hikes” in 2009. But Allred at the time was a lobbyist, not a legislator.
Marr and Baumgartner: Raising taxes
Washington state Sen. Chris Marr, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner respond to the question, “Would you support raising taxes to balance the budget?”
Poll: Weak support for Washington initiatives
Three initiatives that would change the state’s tax policies – instituting an income tax, dropping a series of consumer taxes or requiring supermajorities to pass new taxes – have more support than opposition among voters, a new poll by Elway Research Inc. indicates. But none has a majority of voters saying they’d vote yes if they were casting ballots right now. Neither do the other three initiatives placed on the ballot by petition drives – two that would end the state’s ownership of liquor stores and another that would change the system for compensating injured workers.
Candidate wants WSP in charge in Creach case
The Democratic challenger for Spokane County prosecutor on Monday called for the Washington State Patrol to take over the investigation into the fatal shooting of a Spokane Valley pastor. Spokane lawyer Frank Malone said he had not contacted the WSP, but noted they were already involved in the investigation of the Aug. 25 shooting by Deputy Brian Hirzel as part of a protocol that is designed to avoid having a department investigate itself.
Poll suggests Murray ahead of Rossi
OLYMPIA – Democrat incumbent Patty Murray leads Republican challenger Dino Rossi in a “highly partisan” race, a new poll by Elway Research Inc., suggests. If they were voting today, half of the 500 likely voters contacted by the company between last Thursday and Sunday said they’d vote for Murray, who is seeking her fourth term; 41 percent said they’d vote for Rossi, a former state senator and two-time gubernatorial candidate.