Fun videos: Views of Obama's first year
If you think Obama is the greatest thing since sliced bread or sign that the Apocalyps is near, theres's a video for you.Think it's a disaster? You'll like this clip:Think he's great? This one's for you.
Spin Control archive for Jan. 1, 2010
FRIDAY, FEB. 26, 2010
WA Lege Day 47: Budget hearings
OLYMPIA -- The Ways and Means committees for both chambers have hearings this afternoon on their respective operating budget proposals.The challenge may be greater for the House W&M panel, however, because at this point, House Democrats have not yet spelled out the "means" to pay…
THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 2010
Boundary Dam bill advances
OLYMPIA – One of this session's David vs. Goliath matches involves Pend Oreille County in the role of the shepherd with the slingshot, and Seattle City Light, starring as the over-sized Philistine. The utility may take issue with the characterization, but few other people would…
In case you're wondering about health care claims
With the president and leaders of both house of Congress from both parties at the Summit on Health Care, you had to know there would be filibustering with claims being made.So how to determine who's telling the truth? PolitiFact has an ongoing tally of claims…
WA Lege Day 46: Thoughts of overtime amid homeschoolers and cattlepersons
OLYMPIA -- The session is three-fourths of the way over, and legislators are in the long uphill slog toward completion.Maybe. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown on Wednesday at least left the door open for overtime. Asked about wrapping up by the March 11 deadline, Brown…
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24, 2010
Gregoire signs I-960 suspension
OLYMPIA – There was no drama, but plenty of theatrics, as Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill Wednesday making it easier for the Legislature to raise taxes.Gregoire signed a 16-month suspension of some provisions of Initiative 960 as its prime sponsor Tim Eyman looked on,…
House Dems: No tax package today
OLYMPIA -- Democrats in the House of Representatives are not yet ready to describe the "means" to support their "ways."When announcing a general fund budget Tuesday that had lists of cuts and a fairly specific number for the amount raised in taxes -- $857 million…
Lege Rs: Democrats plans will cost jobs
OLYMPIA -- House and Senate Republican leaders denounced budgets proposals from the other party for raising taxes that will touch everyone and hurt small businesses.Sen. Joe Zarelli, of Ridgefield, the GOP's top numbers guy in the Legislature, said the wide array of potential tax increases…
Murray campaign tries to capitalize on Tea Baggers
Some people were shocked when a speaker at the Asotin Tea Party gathering suggested Sen. Patty Murray be "hung."Most were shocked at the suggestion of violence; a few language purists were appalled by the grammar.Murray's re-election campaign was so shocked that it included a video…
WA Lege Day 45: More tax talk
OLYMPIA -- House Democrats are expected to explain what or who they would tax to raise an extra $857 million through the middle of 2011.Their budget that was released Tuesday had a list of cuts they would make, and explained how much money they expected…
TUESDAY, FEB. 23, 2010
Senate Dems: Sales tax hike would help balance cuts
OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats unveiled a budget proposal that calls for a three-tenths of 1 cent sales tax hike for the next three years, an extra $1 per pack for cigarettes and the elimination of a string of tax exemptions.At a morning press conference, Senate…
WA Lege Day 44: Budgets, budgets, budgets
OLYMPIA -- Today's a money day at the Capitol. Senate Democrats present their budget proposal at 9 a.m., followed by House Democrats at noon for the operating budget.Senate Ways and Means Committee has a budget hearing at 3:30 p.m., and the House Ways and Means…
MONDAY, FEB. 22, 2010
Senate suspends I-960 yet again
OLYMPIA -- The Senate voted for the third time to suspend some requirements of Initative 960, including the two-thirds supermajority needed to raise taxes.In a 26-21 vote, Democrats managed a third round of a change needed if they raise any taxes to help fill a…
Wa Lege Day 43: Senate takes up I-960
OLYMPIA -- The state Senate is taking up the suspension of various provisions of Initiative 960 again this evening.The House has sent the suspension back, and it means a straight up or down vote.Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, said the House did one good thing, which…
Some Republicans like some stimulus money
OLYMPIA -- When the 1-year anniversary of the federal stimulus package rolled around last week, the state Republican Party was vocal in its condemnation."A complete boondoggle," was the phrase State GOP Chairman Luke Esser used in denouncing a media event featuring Sen. Patty Murray and…
WA Lege: Trans Committee -- don't raise toxics tax
OLYMPIA – Raising the tax on hazardous substances first levied by voters in 1988 is a bad idea, leaders of the Senate Transportation Committee said Monday.It would add about 3 cents in taxes to a gallon of gasoline, might make voters skeptical about any future…
WA Lege Day 43: Roads budget and another I-960 vote
OLYMPIA -- Stop me if you've heard this one: The Senate is going to vote today on whether to suspend portions of the law that requires two-third supermajorities for tax increases. Democrats see it as a necessary step in getting something constructive done on a…
SATURDAY, FEB. 20, 2010
WA Lege: Tax this.
OLYMPIA – The Legislature is moving toward a fight over taxes that will ultimately come down to which ones to raise.Although Republicans and some Democrats will say “none,” odds are the debate will be between bumping one big tax, like the sales tax, or a…
FRIDAY, FEB. 19, 2010
In town, at a hall. It's a town hall meeting
OLYMPIA -- With the session about two-thirds gone, some legislators are using the time this weekend or next week to check in with the voters and talkabout what's happened so far, and what's up next.In the Spokane area, legislators from the 6th District have town…
Keeping track in the Senate
OLYMPIA -- Sports analogies in politics are often imprecise and overused, but they can be fun.After "cut off" this week, when bills that don't get out of their original house are for all intents and purposes dead, Senate Democratic staff compiled a spreadsheet of whose…
WA Lege Day 40: Two-thirds of the way done?
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature passes a calendar point today with Day 40 of a 60 day session. As any 4th grader learning fractions will tell you 40/60 = 4/6 = 2/3.Quite a bit -- primarly budget and tax/no tax debates -- will have to be…
THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2010
WA Lege Day 38: Flights of fancy for the N Spokane corridor
OLYMPIA -- Getting $35 million for the North Spokane corridor was a big deal, even over on the other side of the state. Gov. Chris Gregoire, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Sen. Chris Marr all made the trip over for the ceremony. Rep. John…
WA Lege Day 39: Therein lies the rub
OLYMPIA -- The House and Senate have pro forma sessions today to accommodate full hearing schedules.After several late nights in the House of Represenatives debating the suspension of Initiative 960, legislators might be happy to know that today is "Massage Awareness Day." They can become…
House votes to suspend I-960
OLYMPIA – Debate over the need for supermajorities to raise taxes stretched into its second night Wednesday in the House of Representatives and invoked everything from the Gospel to the law of the jungle. There were warnings about taking away the voice of the people,…
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17, 2010
Gregoire floats tax plan
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed this afternoon a series of tax increases as part of what she calls a "balanced approach" to the worst economic times in more than 70 years. She said the Legislature should pass a budget that makes about $1 billion…
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