There are things one learns after 153 days watching the Legislature. Well, technically not 153 days of watching, because there were big stretches of time in the 105-day regular session, the 30-day first special session and the 18-day second special session that there really was…
OLYMPIA – After 153 days, the Washington Legislature decided Saturday it had had enough, even though Gov. Jay Inslee wanted it to do more. In quick succession, the House and Senate passed a $3.6 billion spending plan for large capital construction projects with large majorities…
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature passed a $3.6 billion capital projects budget this evening as its last action of its protracted session. In quick succession, the House and Senate both passed the list of projects and gave the state the authority to sell bonds to build…
OLYMPIA -- Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Shoreline, holds Henry Schlicher while his father, Sen. Nathan Schlicher, D-Gig Harbor, handles a motion on the Senate floor. The extended special session prompted Schlicher to bring his son to the Legislature Saturday.
OLYMPIA -- That sound you heard was the last gasp death rattle of a $10 billion plan to raise gasoline taxes to pay for new road projects, fix existing roads and bridges and boost mass transit. Despite a plea from Gov. Jay INslee earlier in…
OLYMPIA — With strong bipartisan majorities in both houses, the Legislature passed a $33.6 billion operating budget, staving off a threatened shutdown of some state government services. After nearly six months which included a 105-day regular session, a first special session of 30 days and…
OLYMPIA -- There was very little information on the 2013-15 operating budget that was announced Thursday, and only "broad-brush" details emerged during the day. Late last night, however, the Legislature got the whole enchilada up on the budget website. Plenty of time for everyone to…
Spokane County Commissioner Al French has been elected secretary of the board of directors of the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington. That puts him on track to become vice president in 2014 and president in 2015. French in a news release said he…
Inslee and legislative leaders say there's a budget deal. OLYMPIA – After 150 days of debating, posturing and negotiating legislative leaders and Gov. Jay Inslee reached agreement Thursday – Day 151 – on a $33.6 billion spending plan to carry many state programs through the…
OLYMPIA -- Like the Senate a day before, the House gave unanimous approval Thursday to tougher penalties for people who drive drunk or under the influence of drugs. It requires anyone arrested on a second driving under the influence charge be taken to jail, spends…
OLYMPIA -- Here's what it looked like when Gov. Jay Inslee announced they had a budget deal. . . just before the left without answering any questions about it Left to right: Senate Ways and Means Chairman Andy Hill, House Minority Leader Dan Kristiansen, Senate…
Inslee goes up for a rebound last January in pickup game at governor's mansion. OLYMPIA -- The Legislature has until Sunday night to pass a budget that would stave off a partial state government shutdown, but the impasse will keep Gov. Jay Inslee out of…
OLYMPIA – The Senate gave unanimous approval Wednesday to tougher laws against people who drive drunk or under the influence of drugs, particularly repeat offenders. The proposal would require an automatic arrest for a second offense, and require ignition interlock devices on their vehicles before…
OLYMPIA – Supporters of Washington’s same-sex marriage law called Wednesday’s Supreme Court decisions a major step forward for gay and lesbian couples, but warned it’s not the end of the road. There are more than 1,000 federal rules and regulations that will have to be…
Heuschel describes some effects of a partial state government shutdown to reporters Wednesday. OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee's staff tried to emphasize "tremendous concern" over a potential government shutdown that could be required next week without suggesting "the sky is falling". But they stressed there…
OLYMPIA -- The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus is telling its members a deal has been struck over the state's 2013-15 budget. Gov. Jay Inslee's staff cautions, however, that there is no final agreement. Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, in an e-mail to members, describes it as…
Protesters work to prop up an elephant they are inflating on the Capitol Rotunda floor as part of a call for a state income tax. OLYMPIA -- As legislative leaders sweated the small stuff on the operating budget and other members awaited word of a…
OLYMPIA -- Legislative budget negotiators appear to be running out of ways to describe how close they are to an agreement without actually reaching one. Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom, D-Medina, described the sides simply as "so close" and unlike last week wouldn't venture a…
OLYMPIA -- Budget negotiators reported worked late into the night Monday -- or early into the morning Tuesday, depending on various accounts -- but had no deal to report at the start of the legislative day. A new word of warning was being sounded, however:…
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee might be the latest player in the state's budget drama to offer an overly optimistic prediction of a possible conclusion. Legislative sources said late Monday afternoon it seemed unlikely a handshake over a budget agreement would come by Monday night.…
Inslee predicts budget agreement by end of Monday. OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee said legislators are could reach an agreement on the 2013-15 operating budget by the end of the day. "The current state of negotiations gives me confidence that agreement is imminent," Inslee told…
OLYMPIA -- Most state agencies sent notices to their employees around 1 p.m. about temporary layoffs that would be coming if the Legislature does not pass a budget by June 30. If negotiators for the House and Senate reach an agreement that can be passed…
OLYMPIA -- Temporary layoff notices to some state employees are set to go out by e-mail at noon today. The question is whether they will include an addendum that says the Legislature's budget negotiators have reached a deal in principle on the 2013-15 operating budget.…
OLYMPIA – Washington is developing into THE PLACE for interest groups of every political stripe to try out their ballot initiative. From gun control to same-sex marriage to legalized marijuana, national organizations have decided they love a state big enough to test out their legislation…
Last Sunday’s column on possible budget movement in the moribund Legislature included a brief reference to a recently passed change in the estate tax designed to overcome a state Supreme Court ruling that was about to require refunds to some families. A member of one…
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