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

Eye On Olympia archive for Jan. 1, 2008

TUESDAY, AUG. 19, 2008

And in Spokane...

Gregoire's beating Rossi 48 percent to 45 percent in the earliest returns. Also, local guy John Aiken Jr. can take heart: among the 8 much-lesser-known contenders for governor, he's currently in the lead, with a statewide 2 percent.

Continue reading this post »


More primary-eve predictions...

More top-two predictions from The Moderate Washingtonian blog, including NE WA races:(Central Spokane)3rd House District #1:Alex Wood [D] 55%John Waite [I] 19%(Spokane Valley area)4th House District #2:Diana Wilhite [R] 32%Tim Hattenburg [D] 29%(A crescent around western Spokane)6th House District #1:Don Barlow [D] 47%Kevin Parker [R]…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, AUG. 18, 2008

Nearly one in six state lawmakers unopposed...

Barring effective write-in challenges, lots of state lawmakers are getting a free ride to re-election this year.Two dozen state lawmakers, including local Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, are running without even a token opponent on the ballot.Among them:-Rep. Al O'Brien, D-Seattle,-Rep.…

Continue reading this post »


Local blogger re: political pitches: Enough.

Also with the rainy-Monday-morning-coffee: a rant from Stevenl at Olympia's Olyblog community blog.In comments that I suspect a lot of people can empathize with -- and more so as Nov. 4 nears -- Stevenl bemoans the flood of glossy political postcards, radio and TV ads,…

Continue reading this post »


FRIDAY, AUG. 15, 2008


THURSDAY, AUG. 14, 2008

Coming to a Rosauer's near you: Free alcohol...

By random selection, it says, the state Liquor Control Board has picked the 15 independently-owned grocery stores that will be allowed to offer free wine and beer samples to customers, starting this fall.Another 15 chain stores will be picked soon.State lawmakers were extremely wary of…

Continue reading this post »


Rossi: What I'd do now about the budget...

Trying to trump Gov. Gregoire's recent announcement of a hiring freeze and other budget-trimming measures, Republican challenger Dino Rossi says he'd:-launch a year-long hiring freeze,-and shrink consulting contracts 20 percent, travel 10 percent and supply purchases 10 percentRossi says the state should not only hire…

Continue reading this post »


THURSDAY, AUG. 7, 2008


WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6, 2008

TUESDAY, AUG. 5, 2008

It seems like there's an easier way...

More on why endorsements are rarely news:The Association of Washington Business recently announced its "automatic endorsements" for incumbent lawmakers, based on their voting records.All 35 lawmakers listed had something in common: Every single one is a Republican.Then yesterday, Planned Parenthood Votes! Washington (yes, the exclamation…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, AUG. 4, 2008


FRIDAY, AUG. 1, 2008


THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2008

More on taxes...

As I wrote in the post below, the private Economic Opportunity Institute is proposing a Washington state "high incomes" tax aimed at people making at least $100,000 a year.The group also looked at a couple of other tax increases, each of which would add hundreds…

Continue reading this post »


Toxic Toys legislation goes national...

Months after Washington passed a "toxic toys" bill aimed at limited lead, phthalates and cadmium levels, Congress is reportedly poised to pass a bill setting national standards for lead and phthalates in toys and other childrens' goods.According to the Washington Toxics Coalition, a U.S. House…

Continue reading this post »


That's the sound of lobbyists saddling up...

For years, lawmakers have been saying that someone should take a look at Washington's hundreds of tax breaks – some dating back to the Great Depression and further – and see if they're really still justified.Well, someone is. The state's Joint Legislative Audit and Review…

Continue reading this post »


Climate Action Team...

The state's "Climate Action Team" came to Spokane last week, seeking input on ways to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in Washington.On the way, they stopped at an Ellensburg-area wind farm. They met at the Spokane Convention Center, awarded high marks for its green, energy-efficient design. And…

Continue reading this post »



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



Blog Archives

Dec. 2008 Nov. 2008 Oct. 2008 Sept. 2008
Aug. 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008
April 2008 March 2008 Feb. 2008 Jan. 2008