Governor
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McKenna lays out schools plan
Washington could spend more money on its public schools and colleges by limiting the growth in other state expenses and changing the way some property taxes are collected, a gubernatorial candidate said Tuesday. Republican hopeful Rob McKenna released new details of his plans to increase spending on education, with an extra $1.25 billion for public schools and $437 million for colleges in the first two years of his tenure if he wins the Nov. 6 election.
Ballot return rate low for state primary
The presidential campaign has been in the news for months and political commercials are starting to crowd other products off the airwaves, but Washington voters seem less enthusiastic than usual about next month’s state primary. Ballots that were mailed to overseas and military voters in late June and the rest of the state almost two weeks ago are coming back less quickly than normal in some counties, including Spokane.
Tax advisory issues added to November ballot
Washington state voters will have a chance to formally tell state lawmakers what they think about some taxes in the state, officials said Monday.
Spin Control: Value of debate debate debatable
A sign that Washington’s campaign season remains in the doldrums despite the fact that ballots are in voters’ hands – or at least languishing under a pile of junk mail on some counter – arrived last week with the announcement two gubernatorial debates had been scheduled. One will be in Vancouver at the end of August and another in Yakima in early October. This is great news, not solely because putting Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna on the same stage is instructive for voters and good theater for political junkies. These are also two places that often have little chance to get up close and personal with gubernatorial candidates, let alone host a debate.
Washington ready to select its winners
Dozens of candidates seeking everything from congressional and legislative seats to judicial and county commission posts are vying for the chance to advance to the Nov. 5 general election. Which candidates make the cut in the Aug. 7 primary and which don’t is up to voters.
Four seek state auditor seat
YAKIMA – Let’s face it: State auditor is not the sexiest gig. The auditor is the hall monitor of state government – a position meant to ensure that everyone acts responsibly, but one not particularly well-loved by other government agencies. And just three people have held the office since 1933, adding to the snooze factor.
Three vie for lands commissioner
Republican rancher Clint Didier did not think too much about the office of state lands commissioner until he noticed that incumbent Democrat Peter Goldmark was not facing serious opposition. Didier, a tea party favorite, realized no Republican had filed to challenge Goldmark, so he jumped into the race just two hours before the filing deadline.
High-profile candidates seek secretary of state job
SEATTLE – A rarity in Washington state politics – an open race to be Washington’s top election official – has attracted a crowded field of high-profile candidates. Among those running for secretary of state are Greg Nickels, a former Seattle mayor who gained a national profile for his environmental activism; Jim Kastama, a conservative Democratic state senator who was a key swing vote in state budget negotiations; Kim Wyman, Thurston County’s auditor; and Kathleen Drew, a former state senator and former aide to Gov. Chris Gregoire.
Amazon’s Bezos boosts R-74
OLYMPIA – A campaign to ratify same-sex marriage in Washington received $2.5 million from the founder of Amazon.com. Washington United for Marriage, which is pushing approval of Referendum 74 on the Nov. 6 ballot, announced the contribution from Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos on Friday. A spokesman said it was the largest single donation in the country to a campaign to legalize same-sex marriage.
Political Web ad violates TVW rule
OLYMPIA – The Democratic candidate for state attorney general is being accused of violating TVW broadcast rules by using the government cable channel’s footage in his latest commercial. The commercial for Bob Ferguson, which only appears on the Internet, features a brief video clip of his opponent, Republican Reagan Dunn, challenging a Ferguson allegation about poor attendance at King County Council meetings.