OLYMPIA -- The session was winding down about 11:12 p.m., when Gov. Chris Gregoire chargedup the stairs between her office and the Senate with aides in tow.Reporters moving to ask her for comments on the closing were cut off with the governor holding up her…
OLYMPIA -- Moving rapidly toward adjournment, the Senate passed the supplemental capital budget with almost no debate, 33-13, and went at ease for a few minutes.Capital budget now goes to the House, which, if the pattern holds should pass it and allow both to move…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate passed the supplemental budget Monday evening, joining the House in a spending plan that tries to fill an estimated $2.8 billion hole in the state's two-year operating budget.On a 25-21 vote, it added its approval to the budget approved a few…
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature chugged toward adjournment tonight as budgets and tax plans passed by narrow margins.The Senate just passed the $668 million tax package 25-21, the bare minimum it needed.About an hour earlier, the House passed the supplemental operating budget with spending, cuts and…
OLYMPIA -- Democratic legislators released their spending plan with a combination of cuts and assumed tax hikes, designed to fill a $2.8 billion hole in the state's operating budget.If passed as expected later today or Tuesday, the budget pulls in $757 million in new taxes,…
OLYMPIA -- Smokers should expect to pay another $1 for a pack of cigarettes soon.The Senate just passed a tax hike for cigarettes as the Legislature moves towards adjournment. It would raise an estimated $100 million in new tax revenue, an amount that's being factored…
OLYMPIA -- This may be -- emphasis on may -- the final day of the special session.The Senate is moving toward passing the same tax hike approved Saturday by the House. They both expect to vote on the changes to the operating budget and the…
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