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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Olympia

Show me the money…

State Sen. Dino Rossi, R-Samammish, announced Friday that he's quitting his Senate seat in order to focus on his run for governor. But it's not just a matter of having more time to prep for debates.
By quitting, Rossi avoids a state campaign-finance law that bans state office-holders from fundraising during the 60-day legislative session and for 30 days afterward.
Rossi's leading opponent, Democratic Attorney General Christine Gregoire, will abide by the fundraising freeze. Her staff says she has no intention of stepping down in order to raise more money.
Still, Rossi will have to do a lot of plate-passing to match Gregoire's war chest. Her most recent reports say she's raised $743,000 to Rossi's $132,000.

Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.