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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control archive for Jan. 1, 2010

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, 2010

Senate Democrats want to suspend 2/3rds votes on taxes 

OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats formally proposed this afternoon a plan to suspend the super majority required to raise taxes through the middle of 2011 and make other permanent changes to the tax-limiting initiative voters approved two years agoSenate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, called Initiative…

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TUESDAY, FEB. 2, 2010

Should Legislature step into Spokane hospital fight?

OLYMPIA – The dispute between Spokane’s two biggest hospitals spilled over into the legislative session Tuesday as a Senate panel considered changing a law that would determine how a judge could settle any impasse.The dispute involves Inland Northwest Health Services, a non-profit jointly operated by…

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Maybe they should try Wack-A-Mole?

OLYMPIA – A state agency has used illegal traps to kill moles around the Capitol and the governor’s mansion for about a decade, ever since voters banned them with an initiative.That surprised another state agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which enforces the law…

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WA Lege Day 23: Cutoff

OLYMPIA -- Today is the day that policy bills in the House have to get out of their committees, or else.Or else what? Well, in most cases, if they involve policy rather than money, they're dead. Thanks to amendments, complicated rules, and some members's abilities…

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MONDAY, FEB. 1, 2010

Gregoire on Medicaid money: Book it

An update on story posted earlierOLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire said she’s confident the federal government will come up with some $435 million in money for Medicaid reimbursements over the next 18 months, easing somewhat the cuts the state would have to make on health…

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SUNDAY, JAN. 31, 2010

Taking the temperature

“They’re working at a fever pitch,” -- Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, describing legislative activity last Monday.OLYMPIA – When one is the new guy in town, it often behooves one to withhold judgment on things that seem different than the place where one used to be.…

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FRIDAY, JAN. 29, 2010

Honoring Japanese internees, Vietnam veterans

OLYMPIA -- Japanese-American students pulled out of college and sent to internment camps during World War II would be eligible for honorary degrees under a bill approved by a legislative committee.Members of the South Vietnamese army who came to the United States after the Vietnam…

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Rep. Alex Wood, D-Spokane, was one of several state lawmakers who on Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, praised the heroism and the dangerous work done by the seven Columbia astronauts. (Rich Roesler, Spokesman-Review)

Wood says he'll wait to endorse successor 

Retiring Rep. Alex Wood said Friday he won't endorse any candidates vying to replace him until at least after the June election filing deadline.Wood, a Democrat, serves the 3rd Legislative District representing central Spokane."I wouldn't be surprised if I don't endorse anyone except the final…

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WA Lege Day 19: Of homes and homeless 

OLYMPIA -- It is Housing and Homeless Advocacy Day today, with the state's Low Income Housing Alliance will be meeting in and around the Capitol.The House is set to vote on a bill that allows churches to host temporary homeless camps on their property and…

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THURSDAY, JAN. 28, 2010

Pine Lodge could remain open

OLYMPIA – Washington state will delay plans to close the Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women to see whether it can stay open as a facility shared by Spokane County and City.State Corrections Secretary Eldon Vail announced Thursday the Medical Lake center is getting a…

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Fact Check: State of the Union 

Wonder what to believe among all the things you heard before, during and after President Barack Obama's "State of the Union" speech?PolitiFact.com breaks down some of the comments of both sides. Click here to see who was lying and who was truthing.And as a bonus,…

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9th Circ: WA felons can't register yet

OLYMPIA -- Voter registration drives may as well skip the state prisons for now. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put a temporary hold on its order that felons should be able to vote in Washington, even if they are in prison.The Appeals Court…

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After Councilman Bob Apple denied endorsing John Ahern's campaign for the 6th Legislative District this week, Ahern's campaign released this page which they say shows Councilman Bob Apple's signature on an endorsement form. The campaign blocked other names and contact information. (Citizens for Ahern)

More on Apple's endorsement of Ahern 

John Ahern's campaign released this form Wednesday after Bob Apple denied endorsing Ahern. Both Ahern and his campaign manager, Josh Kerns, said they witnessed Apple signing it last year at the county fair.The top of the form is quite clear: "I endorse John Ahern for…

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 27, 2010

Traffic cams under fire 

OLYMPIA—Spokane and any other city in Washington that uses cameras to catch red-light runners could have their ticket fines limited to $25 under a proposal before the Legislature.State Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Pierce County, the prime sponsor of House Bill 2780, said the cameras create an…

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At his home, Bob Apple , candidate for council district 1 watches early results of him leading opponent Terry Beaudreau. (Colin Mulvany)

Apple says he'll compete for Wood's seat

The field of candidates is growing in the race to replace retiring Democratic state Rep. Alex Wood.Spokane City Councilman Bob Apple confirmed this week that he will compete for Wood’s seat representing the 3rd Legislative District, the most reliably Democratic district in eastern Washington.

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TUESDAY, JAN. 26, 2010

WA Lege: How to handle cops who lie? 

OLYMPIA -- Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick was among law enforcement brass who told said they should be allowed to fire an officer who lies without fear of being overruled by an arbitrator.Kirkpatrick joined sheriffs from King and Chelan counties who supported SB 6590, which…

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WA Lege: Assault weapon ban in bull's eye 

OLYMPIA -- A proposal to ban certain semi-automatic firearms was praised by the mother of a shooting victim and a city police chief, but roundly panned by gun-rights activists.The proposal, SB 6396, which would ban weapons commonly called "military style assault weapons" once covered by…

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The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.



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