OLYMPIA -- A rare public work day for the Senate's budget writers, who reportedly have been meeting privately -- albeit unsuccessfully to this point -- on a compromise for the state's 2013-15 operating budget. The Senate Ways and Means Committee has a hearing this morning…
OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Transportation shouldn't let trucks with oversized loads on routes where the bridges are too small, state Sen. Mike Baumgartner said Thursday. The Spokane Republican introduced a bill that would require the DOT to better label the height of state…
Ricin is big news in New York. Could this be one time where Spokane was ahead of the curve?
OLYMPIA -- Over objections that the Legislature was unconstitutionally reaching into the past to collect taxes, the House passed a change to the estate tax law that attempts to erase a loss in court. House Bill 2064 passed on a 51-40 vote after Democrats described…
OLYMPIA -- The House of Representatives returns to the floor this morning, with members expecting to vote on a bill involving the state's estate tax. After a work schedule that might charitably be described as light, that may seem a heavy lift, considering the bill…
One of the founders of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream said today his Vermont-based company will back a Washington initiative to require all foods to be labeled if they contain genetically modified ingredients. Jerry Greenfield said Wednesday the company would give away "tons" of ice…
OLYMPIA -- A bill that would fix what some believe is a loophole in the estate tax created by a state Supreme Court ruling passed a House committee Wednesday. Supporters said it would provide fairness to the state tax system by requiring the wealthiest residents…
OLYMPIA -- Time is running out for the work the Legislature needs to do in the special session, Gov. Jay Inslee said today. Inslee called a committee vote earlier in the morning on legislation go fix a problem with the state's estate tax "good progress",…
OLYMPIA -- The State Senate held a moment of silence today for Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood, who died earlier this morning. Carrell, 69, a 19-year veteran of the Legislature, was a champion of legislation to help at-risk youth, fight sex trafficking, help members of the…
OLYMPIA -- The House Finance Committee holds one of its first hearings of the special session this morning on a proposal to revamp the estate and transfer tax on some property sales. You remember the special session. The one that started 17 days ago and…
OLYMPIA -- Washington will spend $150,000 from the Economic Development Strategic Reserve for a program to let the public know that businesses in and around Skagit County are open, even though a section of the I-5 bridge is down. Gov. Jay Inslee today said he…
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature starts the second half of the special session with the pace it maintained through most of the first half. . . if standing still can be said to be a pace. While much of the rest of the state returns from…
The lineup card for the August primary shows we’re fielding quite a few rookie candidates for local office this year. Welcome to the ring. Watch out for all those hats being tossed around. Many of you will do as well as most of the veteran…
OLYMPIA -- The collapse of a section of the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River could spur the Legislature in to action over the much-debated transportation package with its increased gasoline taxes, but some of that action could be to rearrange how money is spent.…
A new survey suggests Washington voters would rather the Legislature cut spending than raise taxes, the folks at Moore Information say. Wow. Bet you didn't see that coming. (Next week, Moore will poll people on whether they'd rather have rain or sunshine tomorrow.) As with…
OLYMPIA -- Employers can't ask their current workers or job applicants for access to their social media accounts under a law signed Tuesday. Sometimes called the "Facebook Bill", Senate Bill 5211 makes it illegal for an employer to request a worker or a job applicant…
OLYMPIA -- Washington will set up a special fund to pay for losses of livestock to the state's growing wolf population under a bill signed Tuesday. The new law sets aside up to $50,000 each year from the money raised by selling personalized license plate…
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee downplayed any conflict between the state's two research universities over operations at the new joint medical school facility in Spokane, saying he wouldn't even call it a disagreement. "I'm confident that we can find a way that Huskies and Cougars…
Spokane City Council candidate Mark Hamilton’s residency problems continue. Two voters in Spokane's northeast council district filed a lawsuit today claiming that Hamilton's name should not be allowed on the ballot because he was not a resident of the city or district for a full…
Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Mike Padden talk before the autopsy bill is signed. OLYMPIA – Spokane County’s medical examiners should feel free to talk about the results of investigations into deaths that involve actions by law enforcement officers. Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill…
OLYMPIA – A legislative compromise over a controversial bridge over the Columbia River was sliced out of the state’s $8.8 billion transportation budget Monday by Gov. Jay Inslee, who insisted it would endanger federal money and could lead to the bridge not being built. Just…
Ava Conner, 6, accompanied her mother Jennifer to the Capitol for today's rally for a transportation package. OLYMPIA -- Shouts of "Pass it Now" filled the Capitol steps this morning as supporters of a new package of taxes and road projects tried to goad the…
The progression of thought for some politicians about the wisdom of the voters can be as predictable as it is ironic. At the end of the first campaign, most winners are honored – and sometimes pleasantly surprised – at being chosen by voters. It is…
OLYMPIA -- Anyone looking for a frenzied pace of activity in the special session would so far be disappointed, and today might best exemplify the pace. The House isn't doing anything and the Senate had its own version of casual Friday. Lt. Gov. Brad Owen,…
Official logo for legal marijuana in Washington state, courtesy Washington State Liquor Control Board. OLYMPIA — Anyone planning to grow legal marijuana in Washington should expect to do so inside, pass a tough background check and keep up with their paperwork. The state agency setting…
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.
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