Lawmakers on Friday released the details of their proposed two-year operating budget and a quick scan of the 515-page document suggests that they did, in fact, use scalpels instead of hatchets. In addition to the major changes for schools, colleges, social services and health care,…
It wasn't a quite a grilling. More like a light sauteeing.Whatever the verb, it quickly became apparent this morning that members of the Senate natural resources committee are not happy with the state Fish and Wildlife Commission.The hearing was to confirm commission chairwoman Miranda Wecker,…
From our print story:For years in Washington’s capital, state income tax proposals have been viewed much like those periodic bills to declare Eastern Washington a 51st state. They’re attention-getters aimed at spurring a discussion. No one expects them to actually pass.This year’s different.Full story is…
After years of a few lawmakers flirting with the idea of a state income tax, key lawmakers now say they're seriously considering it as a way to help the cash-strapped state budget in the long term. A possible state income tax on people earning $500,000…
By now, Republican campaign "operatives" across the state have undoubtedly already clipped and scanned in this headline from a story that moved on the AP wire last night: "Democrats Propose Income Tax Bill."As the story notes -- repeatedly -- Democrats so far seem to be…
If you happened to be watching TVW yesterday afternoon, you may well have been left wondering what they're putting in the House coffeepot these days. What the hell was that? (Tech note: To replay this segment, refresh this page on your browser first. The video,…
I missed this in the Senate budget earlier this week, but others sure didn't:45. Star USA Skating Spokane - Funding is provided to Star USA to assist hosting the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, scheduled for Jan. 14-24, 2010.How much funding? A couple hundred…
On the heels of a very similar post I wrote yesterday re: Washington State University's budget cuts, here's a closer look at the legislature's proposals for Eastern Washington University. The short form: It's not as bad as it sounds.“We are looking at an 18.5 to…
The House version, released this afternoon, is leaner -- $2.9 billion -- and doesn't include a lot of the new construction at state colleges that the Senate plan does. Instead, it focuses largely on repairs and maintenance."My father always used to say it's better to…
...is here.Local highlights: -$28 million to renovate and expand Eastern Washington University's Patterson Hall.-$32 million for a new technical education building at Spokane Community College.-$29 million fora new life sciences and chemistry building at Spokane Fall Community College.-$39 million for a new electronics engineering building…
The Senate has released its $3.3 billion two year capital budget. It's $700 million less than the governor's proposal in December, and about $1.3 billion (29 percent) less than the last two-year budget.-K-12 construction assistance programs would be fully funded,-Higher ed would get just over…
TVW's Niki Sullivan reports that Terry Teale, executive director of the Council of Presidents (meaning college presidents), asked the Senate budget committee yesterday to let the state's college hike tuition by 14 percent a year.The Senate has proposed a 7 percent increase a year, which…
Both the Senate and House will today release their capital (i.e. construction) budget proposals for the next two years. That means millions of dollars for local schools, university buildings, community centers and other projects.I'll start posting specifics and links soon.
If it's possible to sound stunned in a prepared statement, Washington State University President Elson Floyd did so earlier today: “Hard as it is to imagine, today’s House budget is even more draconian, with a more devastating impact, than the Senate budget proposed yesterday. Words…
The House plan includes no tax increases, although hunting and fishing licenses would cost more. Vehicle owners would also be asked to pay $5 more in annual licensing fees, with the voluntary payment supporting state parks.Here are some of the details from the House budget…
A day after the Senate, House lawmakers proposed a budget plan that cuts much deeper into higher education but spares K-12 education from some major cuts.The House plan would strip $683 million from colleges, even while raising tuition at four-year schools 10 percent a year.…
the house budget would cut operating costs $713 million, which -- after tuition hikes -- works out to a net decrease of 10-17 percent at the state's four-year schools and 13 percent at community and technical colleges.
-suspend I-732 cost of living increases for teachers and school staff-reduce I-728 (class sizes) by $508 million-Higher ed: "major reductions in spending -- resulting in lower enrollments"-Basic Health Plan reduced by $252 million-postpone $432 in pension payments-rate reductions to social service providers, nursing homes, fewer…
The battle to strip the state Fish and Wildlife Commission of some of its powers -- mainly hiring and firing the director of the agency -- continues.Commercial fisherman say the board is tilted too far in favor of sport/recreational anglers. The latter say that the…
"This is a real budget and a balanced budget. It is a budget that attempts to share the sacrifices of this very difficult time." -Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown-"The Senate budget will add over 7,000 people to the ranks of the unemployed." -Sen. Margarita Prentice-"These…
The $7.5 billion House budget plan, released this afternoon, includes $4.6 billion for more than 400 transportation construction projects across the state.In the face of shrinking revenues, the plan maintains -- mostly -- funding for the state's "mega-projects": $2.4 billion for Seattle's aging/sinking/crumbling Alaskan Way…
I'll have lots more reactions later today, but here's the abbreviated version of reactions to the state Senate budget plan released this morning:"...Devastating..."-Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina"...Devastating..."-Diane Sosne, Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199 NW"...Devastating..."-Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton"...Devastating..."-Tom Geiger, United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 21"...Devastating..."-Mary…
After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations and speculation, lawmakers in the state Senate this morning proposed a budget to bridge the state's $9 billion budget shortfall over the next two years.It calls for closing the state prison on McNeil Island, doing away with hundreds of millions…
Gov. Chris Gregoire has bet a batch of Washington-grown potatoes that Gonzaga's Bulldogs will trounce the UNC Tar Heels tonight in Memphis.North Carolina's Gov. Bev Perdue's countered with NC sweet potatoes.Whoever wins, the potatoes will go to a food bank.
In a surprise move, a bill to restrict the power of the state Fish and Wildlife Commission abruptly died Friday as lawmakers deadlocked."There just weren't the votes to move it out of committee," said Rep. Brian Blake, chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources…
Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.
