WA Government

Numbers for fraudulent ballots appear pretty small, the number for “lost” jobs seem a bit large.

Word that President Donald Trump may have reached an agreement with Democratic leaders in Congress on DACA legislation has some lawmakers from Washington and Idaho offering qualified support and others waiting for more details.

A Spokane youth who texted a picture of his genitals to a woman can be convicted under the state laws against child pornography even though he is the child involved, the Washington Supreme Court said Thursday.

When the argument doesn’t fit the facts, some people make the facts fit the argument.

Republican Rep. Dave Reichert of Washington state said Wednesday that he was retiring from Congress after seven terms, giving Democrats renewed hope of winning a district solely held by Republicans since its creation more than three decades ago.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers says the bill the House of Representatives passed in May, now languishing in the Senate, is just a first step in reforming the country’s health care system. Her challengers for the seat say it’s a bad one.

Attorneys challenge the state’s claim that Legislature has met its obligation to improve public education.

The Democrat, who left state politics in 2013 to serve as chancellor of Washington State University in Spokane, said she believes residents of the district feel out of touch with their Congressional representative and wants to fight to protect the existing health care law.

While much of the Northwest was trying on eclipse glasses and peeking carefully at the sun Monday morning, initiative entrepreneur Tim Eyman was trying to convince a judge that voters need more items on the November ballot that the Legislature can ignore.

The dog days of summer are being interrupted by more news than usual.

The Legislature’s three special sessions prompted legislators to file per diem claims for more than $445,000 in expenses. But the amount claimed varies widely.

Civil commitment of offenders who have been designated as sexually violent predators can be indefinitely extended for those whose crimes occurred when they were juveniles, the Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday.

The Legislature might try to require state oversight of the association that organizes high school sports.

Capital construction budget remains stalled as lawmakers continue search for a change to state water law that can pass both chambers

A state Democratic senator has agreed to pay a fine for violating campaign disclosure laws last year.

Eric Agnew, a 39-year-old manager at Itron Inc., says he hopes to take advantage of a districtwide swing to the left following the 2016 campaign that he believes won’t be wide enough to elect a Democrat. Two other independents who’ve filed since 2012 have failed to earn more than 15 percent of the primary vote.

Last week in Congress the House considered pipeline and air quality legislation.

Tougher laws on driving under the influence, domestic violence and gun background checks take effect on Sunday, along with scores of others.