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Spin Control archive for Jan. 2010

THURSDAY, JAN. 21, 2010

WA Lege Day 10: Leathers and Cub Scouts

Spin Control has been incorrectly labelling the legislative session days this week, under the mistaken impression that one counts the days when they are actually in session. Turns out one counts all the days from opening gavel, even when they aren't around.Who knew? (OK, anyone…

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20, 2010

WA Lege: Should credit scores help set car premiums? 

OLYMPIA – A credit score should not be used to help determine how much a person pays for home or auto insurance premiums, State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler told a legislative panel Wednesday evening.Factors that affect credit scores can discriminate against low income and minorities,…

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Does Scott Brown's victory have legs (or wings) to WA? 

OLYMPIA--Washington Republicans wasted little time trying to draw connections between a Democratic Senate loss in Massachusetts and election prospects in the Evergreen State.Washington Democrats conceded that the loss of a supermajority in the U.S. Senate complicates plans in the Legislature. They can’t expect Congress to…

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WA Lege: Pot decriminalization fails, too 

OLYMPIA--A bill that would turn possession of small amounts of marijuana into a civil infraction failed in a state House committee this afternoon.HB 1177, which would decriminalize the possession of about two ounces or less of marijuana, failed on a vote of 3 yeas and…

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WA Lege: Pot legalization fails 

OLYMPIA -- A bill to legalize personal use of marijuana died in committee today. The House Public Safety and Preparedness Committee rejected HB 2401 which would have put marijuana under state regulation and taxation. An estimate from the state Office of Financial Management released Tuesday…

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WA GOP hoping MA returns point the way

OLYMPIA -- Washington Republicans wasted no time in drawing political lines from Massachusetts to the Evergreen State, hoping Scott Brown's U.S. Senate victory is a harbinger for this fall.State GOP Chairman Luke Esser said he couldn't speculate on possible gains yet because so many candidates…

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WA Lege Day 8: Fire and Water?

OLYMPIA -- Today's agenda around the Capitol will be as diverse as fire and water.State Fire Commissioners have their day of lobbying legislators, and the state Ground Water Association will have equipment on display. It is also Autism Awareness Day and Dairy Day.Hearings start at…

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TUESDAY, JAN. 19, 2010

Police officer pension changes move to House floor

OLYMPIA -- There are still many questions for the legislative session, but at least one certainty: passage of improvements in pensions and other benefits for law enforcement and firefighters.Spurred by a series of murders of law enforcement officers in Western Washington, Gov. Chris Gregoire and…

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Thousands march against abortion 

OLYMPIA -- Opponents of abortion filled the Capitol steps Tuesday as legislators urged them to fight against federal health care mandates and proposals that would set new rules for their crisis pregnancy clinics.A crowd estimated at more than 4,000 by the Washington State Patrol marched…

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Realtors poll: On the wrong track?

Washington Realtors released results of a poll today that suggests voters are split on cutting the state budget or raising taxes.Of the 600 voters polled:55 percent said the state is on the wrong track, which is up from 44 percent in a July poll50 percent…

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Tues. fun video: Stewart rips Ds a new one

Never let it be said that The Daily Show's Jon Stewart only picks on Republicans. Last night he proved he's an equal opportunity annoyer in this discussion of the Massachusetts Senate race.The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cMass Backwardswww.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full…

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MONDAY, JAN. 18, 2010


Gregoire wants new preschool standards

OLYMPIA -- Washington state should help low-income residents get their children into the preschool of their choice, but establish standards for facilities that help prepare 3- and 4-year-olds for kindergarten, Gov. Chris Gregoire said today.It also must have a stronger system for K-12 schools to…

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WA Lege Day 6: Not a holiday

The Legislature does not have the day off for Martin Luther King's Birthday. It's in session today, and has a full complement of hearings.But people who have the day off use this day to lobby the Legislature, either by visiting their favorite senator or representatives…

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SATURDAY, JAN. 16, 2010

WA Lege Week 1: Can words describe it?

OLYMPIA – With only a week down in the legislative session it’s too soon to make solid predictions about anything meaningful. It’s not too soon, however, to predict that the quality of rhetoric can only get better.That’s because it probably can’t get worse.There have been…

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FRIDAY, JAN. 15, 2010



WA Lege Day 5:TGIF schedule?

A relatively quiet day at the Capitol, with short sessions expected in the House and Senate in the morning and a full afternoon of hearings.The Veterans Coalition has meetings, and will be dropping by legislative offices.Gov. Chris Gregoire will be in Spokane for the Figure…

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THURSDAY, JAN. 14, 2010


Lege to Spokane group: Don't get yer hopes up

OLYMPIA – A Spokane-area delegation on its annual pilgrimage to the state capital got a consistently downbeat message this week: Don’t expect money for new programs or projects."The message is being reinforced: There is no money," Spokane Mayor Mary Verner said. It's a message that…

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WA Lege Day 4: Hearings, hearings, hearings

The Legislature is in full hearing mode.Which is not the same as saying that everyone is in listening mode. But hearings are scheduled throughout the day.Meanwhile, about 50 folks from the Spokane area continue their peregrination to Olympia to lobby for locally important programs and…

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



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