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Richard Roesler

Rich Roesler is a staff writer for The Spokesman-Review in the Local news department. He covers state government, the Legislature, state supreme court and regional news from our bureau in Olympia.

How to contact Rich

Email: richr@spokesman.com
Phone: 360-664-2598
Fax: 360-664-4978

Recent stories by Rich

Cutbacks curtail campsite comforts

July 9, 2009 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – You’re still welcome to hike, picnic and camp at dozens of Department of Natural Resources sites across the state. But brace yourself for a primitive experience. The road …
Reaching out beyond the wall

July 3, 2009 in City For more than 22 years, people have been leaving keepsakes and notes at the state’s Vietnam War memorial, a dark green rock wall engraved with the names of the Washingtonians … 1
Eye on Olympia: Farms win ‘buy local’ backing

May 21, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V1 OLYMPIA – The next time you’re buying apples, potatoes or cherries, the state wants you to buy locally. “Next time you shop, look for Washington products or ask your grocer …
Dems’ budget slashes education, social services, health care

April 23, 2009 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – After days of last-minute, late-night negotiations, Democratic budget writers in Olympia agreed Wednesday on a state budget with about $4 billion in cuts to schools, higher education, social … 1
Sales tax increase could go before state voters

April 10, 2009 in City on Page A7 OLYMPIA – Washington House Speaker Frank Chopp said Thursday that there’s a “better than 50-50” chance that voters will be asked to approve a sales tax increase this fall. As … 3
State workers decry ‘all-cuts’ plan

March 18, 2009 in City on Page A7 OLYMPIA – In a scene repeated across Washington, sign-carrying state workers at the Capitol on Tuesday called on lawmakers to look at raising taxes to offset some deep budget cuts. … 3
Eye on Olympia: Legislators propose studying selves

February 12, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page W1 OLYMPIA – On the face of it, the bill reads like a parody. The Legislature is thinking about “creat(ing) a commission within the legislature to evaluate the legislature.”
Payday loan bills introduced to Washington Statehouse

February 11, 2009 in City on Page A8 OLYMPIA – It’s become an annual ritual in the Statehouse: low-income people and advocates descend on Olympia to blast payday loans. It’s too easy, they say, for desperate families to …
Porn tax proposed to buttress budget

February 11, 2009 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Washington has long had sin taxes, but they’ve usually been on things like tobacco, liquor and beer. Now, with Washington facing a big budget shortfall, a state lawmaker …
In Olympia, huge repair job awaits lawmakers

January 11, 2009 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Each January, by tradition, Washington’s top lawmakers choose theme songs for the upcoming session. Most are lighthearted. Speaking to reporters last week, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown read …
Group takes heat over Rossi support

December 25, 2008 in Voices on Page V1 OLYMPIA – The Building Industry Association of Washington spent more than $7 million on politics this year, most of it trying to replace Gov. Chris Gregoire with Republican challenger Dino …
Candidate faces filing fine

September 30, 2008 in City on Page B1 OLYMPIA – After a contentious hearing, the state’s campaign-finance watchdog has fined a statehouse candidate $300 for failing to file any reports after months of campaigning. Republican Chris Bowen, who’s …
Incumbency helped in primary races

August 21, 2008 in City on Page B1 For some candidates, surviving Tuesday’s primary was a foregone conclusion. It was a top-two primary, and there were only two candidates in the race. That doesn’t mean the results are …
Gregoire ekes out lead

August 20, 2008 in City on Page A1 Washington’s new primary system provided few surprises Tuesday, serving as a warm-up for a gubernatorial rematch between Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi and some other expected matchups in the general …
State budget addresses children’s issues

April 13, 2007 in City on Page A10 Washington state lawmakers are negotiating a final budget for the next two years. Among the items being discussed: “ Childrens’ Advocacy Centers: $1.4 million to start setting up child-friendly, one-stop …
New study of WASL proposed

February 5, 2006 in City on Page B7 The debate over WASL took a familiar political twist this week. Instead of scrapping the high-stakes test as a graduation requirement, lawmakers are backing a plan that would establish a …
Over-the-top protests prompt legislation

February 5, 2006 in City on Page B7 Trying to restrict the bizarre antics of groups like the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., state Rep. Dan Roach has proposed House Bill 3293, banning protesters from demonstrating within …
Tracking the session with Rich Roesler

February 5, 2006 in City on Page B7 Energy Most lawmakers want to boost alternative-fuel production, such as biodiesel. Some lawmakers also want more help for low-income people to pay their energy bills.
McKenna leads Senn in AG race

November 3, 2004 in City on Page A15 In the tight race to be the state’s top lawyer, King County Councilman Rob McKenna was leading late Tuesday night over controversial former insurance commissioner Deborah Senn. Neither side was …
EWU electrical engineering degree approved

May 21, 2004 in City on Page B3 It wasn’t the slam-dunk college officials had hoped for, but Eastern Washington University won approval Thursday to offer bachelor degrees in electrical engineering. Instead of starting the program on the …