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

Eye On Olympia

Governor signs budget into law…

Gov. Gary Locke on Thursday signed the state's controversial two-year, $23 billion budget into law. He used his veto pen to restore about $20 million in spending that lawmakers had wanted to cut.
Among the saves:
-About $20 million in administrative cuts to state agencies, including things like equipment and travel,
-and a $3 million cut that would have axed state agency "legislative liaisons," who act as information go-betweens between the statehouse and their agencies. Many lawmakers refer to these positions as "agency lobbyists."
The budget takes effect July 1.

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