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McMorris Rodgers faces three challengers in August primary
When a member of Congress rises to leadership and is chosen to respond to a president’s State of the Union Address, it’s usually a sign he or she is well-regarded and secure in re-election. For Cathy McMorris Rodgers, an Eastern Washington Republican seeking her sixth term in the House of Representatives, being in leadership and providing the GOP response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address are things for her primary opponents to criticize as they scramble to survive next month’s primary.
Q-and-A with candidates for Washington’s 5th District
All four candidates for Washington’s 5th Congressional District were asked the same series of questions on key issues. Here are their answers. Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot.
Spin Control: Candidates spar over income tax claim
In these dog days of summer, things that would not get a second look the rest of the year are tested for news viability under much lower July vacation standards in an effort to fill the paper. Any other time, a press release from one candidate complaining that his opponent was lying about his stance on an issue would likely go straight to the delete file. Lying in campaigns is, after all, a time-honored political tradition protected by the state Supreme Court.
Two gun control issues will be on Washington ballot
OLYMPIA – Washington voters will face a pair of gun control issues this fall and will probably decide whether to have fewer students in some public school classes. But, because of a lack of support, citizens won’t be voting on efforts to change the U.S. Constitution on campaign finances or the state constitution on raising taxes.
Washington class size initiative signatures ready
SEATTLE — Sponsors of an initiative to decrease Washington public school class sizes plan to turn in more than 325,000 signatures to the Washington secretary of state’s office on Wednesday. They expect they have plenty of signatures to qualify the proposal for the November ballot.
Spin Control: Clock ticking on candidate debates, initiatives
In a sign that campaign season is truly upon us, last week saw the first debate over debates, the annual exercise in which one candidate dares another to meet on the field of verbal combat, and the person challenged offers a reason not to jump at the chance. Independent candidate Dave Wilson challenged Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to 10 debates – five before the Aug. 5 primary and five after. This may seem a bit presumptuous on Wilson’s part, considering no independent congressional candidate has made it through the state’s top-two primary, but congressional candidates must be confident above all else.
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Vestal: Refurbished, revitalized park should be busy all the time
A question for Hoopfest weekend: Shouldn’t we have more events, big and small, in and around Riverfront Park? A group of local citizens who developed a master plan for the park think so. “In time,” they argued in a summary of the plan, “the goal should be to have events happening in the Park all the time.”
Washington State Democratic Party approves platform in Spokane
The Washington State Democratic Party on Saturday approved an 18-point party platform that will help guide the party for the next two years. The party met for its biennial convention at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park in downtown Spokane.
Spokane officials outline first projects in 20-year street levy proposal
Spokane officials released new details Thursday on 11 street improvement projects the city could tackle in the next two years if voters approve a levy they say won’t result in higher taxes. The street projects would be financed by a 20-year levy proposal the city hopes to place on the Nov. 4 ballot, one of two ballot measures city leaders are proposing.
Spin Control: Business magazine gives Washington top score again
OLYMPIA – Workers of Washington rejoice. You’re in the best state in which to make a living. At least that’s the view of MoneyRates.com, an online business magazine that put the Evergreen State at the top of its annual rankings for the second year in a row. We finished second the two years before that, so all you workers feeling ill-used can either start looking for a better job or rejoice that you aren’t worse off in some second-rate state.
McMorris Rodgers won’t seek Cantor’s spot
The day after the House of Representative’s No. 2 Republican fell to a primary challenger, Eastern Washington congressional candidates were hoping for a boost to knock off the No. 4 Republican. Meanwhile, that No. 4 – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers – said she wouldn’t be trying to leapfrog to No. 3.