Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• New budget spares education, drops reserves

  February 28, 2012 in News OLYMPIA — Senate Democrats released their budget proposal that has fewer cuts to education, no tax increase and draws down on the state’s reserves. 1

• House GOP releases its budget

  February 18, 2012 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – For several years, Republicans in the Washington House of Representatives have complained they have essentially been shut out of the budgeting process by majority Democrats. Friday, they stole … 3

• Budgeters put tough decisions on hold

  December 13, 2011 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – For two weeks, legislators have heard emotional, sometimes angry testimony against major cuts to state programs and in favor of raising taxes. Monday, it became apparent they will … 11

• Special session planned to cut $2 billion from state budget

  September 23, 2011 in City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – The Washington legislature may spend the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas playing Scrooge to state agencies and programs. That’s when they’ll be called into a special session to … 13

• Senate, House leaders OK cutting $242 million by June 30; full Senate to vote today

  February 18, 2011 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – A budget agreement that cuts an estimated $242 million in projected state spending between now and June 30 but preserves some health and welfare programs targeted for elimination … 5

• Spending cuts sail through Senate on 38-9 vote

  February 5, 2011 in City on Page B3 OLYMPIA – A budget plan that would cut more than a quarter billion dollars in state spending over the next five months, called an installment in solving the state’s fiscal … 1

• Bipartisan budget proposal could get vote this week

  February 3, 2011 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – State Senate budget writers have what’s being described as a $254 million bipartisan budget agreement that could get a vote yet this week. Just hours before a Senate …

• Senate plan preserves some Basic Health, Lifeline

  February 2, 2011 in News, Region OLYMPIA – State Senate budget writers have what’s being described as a $254 million bipartisan budget agreement that could get a vote this week.

• House passes pared budget

  January 25, 2011 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – On a largely party-line vote Monday, the state House sent the Senate some $348 million in cuts and other changes to the state’s general fund budget over the … 1

• House budget cuts hit education, social services

  January 24, 2011 in City, News On a largely party-line vote Monday, the state House sent the Senate some $348 million in cuts and other changes to the state’s general fund budget over the next five … 7

• Governor lays out plan to erase red

  December 18, 2010 in City on Page B1 OLYMPIA – The state could balance its books through the end of June by cutting more funds for schoolchildren, dropping payments to small school districts, eliminating some health care programs … 9

• Gregoire calls for more cuts

  December 17, 2010 in City Gov. Chris Gregoire says the state needs to drop some programs by March 1 to balance budget. 13

• Gregoire signs budget bill

  May 5, 2010 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a new spending plan Tuesday designed to close an estimated $2.8 billion gap in the state’s operating budget with what she called a “fair … 1