The House will hold its first hearing Friday morning on a proposal to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for health care by boosting the sales tax about a third of a cent for three years. But as Olympia struggles to agree on a major…
Photo: Colleen Beimer, from Bonney Lake, cries while holding a picture of her grandchildren. Richard Roesler - The Spokesman ReviewLawmakers, parents and a local prosecutor on Thursday blasted state child-protection officials, saying the state is too quick to remove children from their families."The system is…
"Does it cover toilet paper?" -Sen. Jerome Delvin, expressing misgivings about Senate Bill 2287, which would mandate that state government use recycled paper whenever possible.(Answer, from bill Sen. Jim Hargrove, whose district includes a major recycling mill: "No, this is actually print paper.")The bill passed,…
The Senate has begun debating SB 2261, which would redefine basic education, setting Washington on course to steer more money into education over nearly a decade.Democrats say it's a long-needed overhaul to a funding system that largely dates back to the 1970s. Republicans say it's…
Conservative religious groups are preparing a voter referendum to overturn a bill granting same-sex partners most of the rights and responsibilities of spouses.Senate Bill 5688 passed the legislature yesterday and is headed to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it into law. Proponents…
In a bill closely watched by schools advocates, the state Senate plans to vote on -- and presumably pass -- an amended version of HB 2261 this afternoon."We're working with the governor and members of the House to agree on a bill to responsibly reform…
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Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.
