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…
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…
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…
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…
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…