U.S. Senator
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It’s a big day for incumbents
Incumbents representing Washington and Eastern Washington in Congress advanced easily in Tuesday’s primary to the general election, but their November opponents say they’re confident that the races aren’t over. U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, won 54 percent of the vote in a four-way primary race to retain her seat representing Washington’s 5th Congressional District. She will face Democrat Rich Cowan, the founder of North by Northwest Productions, who took 35 percent of the vote. McMorris Rodgers and Cowan eliminated two long-shot candidates.
Spokane bishop urges ‘no’ on R-74
Spokane’s Catholic bishop is urging members of his diocese to vote against the same-sex marriage law that will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. In a letter to parishioners available at weekend services, the Rev. Blase Cupich contends that if Referendum 74 passes, it will redefine marriage and create “a major shift in an institution that serves as the foundation stone of society.” He called same-sex marriage a passionate issue and called for respectful debate that would “generate light rather than heat.”
Voter choices abundant on lengthy primary ballot
Washington’s Aug. 7 primary offers voters a long ballot, with some familiar names and even more that most won’t recognize. All voters have nine choices for governor, eight for U.S. senator, seven for secretary of state, six for lieutenant governor and five for state schools superintendent. Some have only one choice for legislative seats held by well-funded incumbents.
Spin Control: Protest elicits tangle over Medicaid
Do Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Gov. Chris Gregoire agree on the best way to fix the nation’s health care system? Not hardly, although that may not be the impression one gets from a video circulating on YouTube. Last week, a group of progressive activists marking the 47th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid visited McMorris Rodgers’ downtown office to challenge the Spokane Republican’s vote for the budget drafted by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Senate deal would extend IRS sales tax deduction
WASHINGTON – Taxpayers in Washington could save an average of $500 a year on their federal taxes under a bipartisan deal announced Wednesday by a Senate committee. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote today on a bill that would extend dozens of tax breaks, including the deduction for sales tax for residents of eight states that don’t have an income tax.
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.