Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Senate GOP unveils new budget plan

  March 16, 2012 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – For the first three days of Washington’s special session, everything involving the state’s troubled budget was done behind closed doors. That went by the wayside Thursday. Senate Republicans …

• Relatively rosy state budget forecast expected

  February 16, 2012 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Washington might get the most optimistic budget outlook in years today when state economists deliver the latest revenue forecast. The demand for state services may be lower and … 9

• GOP proposes ‘Education First’

  February 3, 2012 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – House Republicans, who say they are fed up with the slow pace of the budgeting process in a session in which that was supposed to be the main … 3

• Gregoire proposes oil fee

  January 11, 2012 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – Washington’s roads, bridges and ferries need billions of dollars in maintenance that the state doesn’t have, Gov. Chris Gregoire said. To help fix that, she wants the Legislature … 4

• No agreement on final state budgets

  April 21, 2011 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – The Legislature is expected to adjourn its regular session Friday afternoon without passing final budgets for general operating expenses, transportation or capital projects. It will return, but when …

• Health care splinters GOP in Washington

  March 13, 2011 in City on Page B1 OLYMPIA – Federal health care reform may be among the most controversial issues in the nation. In many ways Washington state could be considered ground zero for that partisan debate. … 30

• State struggling to keep up with education fund

  February 17, 2011 in City on Page A1 Washington state has to change its popular prepaid college tuition program or risk financial problems down the road, a legislative panel learned Wednesday. The Guaranteed Education Tuition Program could face … 4

• Gregoire’s optimism met with caution

  January 12, 2011 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Amid the tension of a state budget some $4.6 billion out of whack and proposals to cut programs for some of the state’s poorest and most vulnerable, Gov. … 2

• Gregoire calls for bold approach to financial crisis

  January 11, 2011 in News, City, Region OLYMPIA – Amid the tension of a state budget some $4.6 billion out of whack and proposals to cut programs for some of the state’s poorest and most vulnerable, Gov. … 7

• Illness forces McCaslin to quit state Senate

  January 5, 2011 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – Bob McCaslin, the most senior member of the Washington Legislature, is leaving the Senate seat he’s held for the Spokane Valley for 30 years. In a prepared statement, … 4

• Washington lawmakers balk at cutting safety nets

  January 5, 2011 in City on Page A7 OLYMPIA – There’s no chance the Legislature will ask voters for a tax increase for anything – except maybe for highways and other transportation projects – legislative leaders said Tuesday. … 6

• McCaslin leaving state Senate, will keep Valley post

  January 4, 2011 in News, City State Sen. Bob McCaslin informs Republican leaders he won’t return to Olympia. 2

• Former Senate majority leader dies

  December 1, 2010 in City on Page A7 WALLA WALLA – Former state Senate Majority Leader Jeannette Hayner has died at the age of 91. The Walla Walla Republican served in the state House of Representatives from 1973-1977 …

• State leaders see tighter coffer, bipartisan tilt

  November 7, 2010 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Washington politicians who had any doubt the public is in no mood for more taxes should have had that cleared up Tuesday. For the budget struggles ahead next … 19

• Final decision on state cuts, layoffs to come by Oct. 1

    September 17, 2010 in City on Page A1 State health care programs could shrink or disappear in the coming months, at least one state prison could close and college classes could be more crowded next semester as state … 8

• Washington Legislature’s special session begins

  March 16, 2010 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – The Washington Legislature picked up Monday where it left off Thursday, trying to close an estimated $2.8 billion hole in the state’s operating budget. Legislative leaders said they … 2

• Wash. lawmakers start special session to pass budget

  March 15, 2010 in City The Washington Legislature picked up Monday where it left off Thursday, trying close an estimated $2.8 billion hole in the state’s operating budget. 4

• Washington Legislature prepares for special session

  March 11, 2010 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – The Legislature prepared to go into extra innings Wednesday as consensus on addressing the state’s $2.8 billion budget gap remained elusive and the ability to turn any agreement … 1

• Let the annual finger-pointing begin

  January 10, 2010 in City on Page B3 OLYMPIA – There are two relatively famous quotes that come to mind as the Legislature rumbles toward opening day Monday. One is the standard axiom that no man’s life, liberty …