Thu., Jan. 23, 2014
OLYMPIA -- With a one-vote margin, the House Health Care and Wellness Committee passed a bill that would require most insurance companies to cover abortion if they cover maternity services. HB 2148, often called the Reproductive Parity Act was denounced by opponents like Rep. Shelly…
Thu., Jan. 23, 2014
OLYMPIA -- While Spokane-area legislators are spending most of their time for the next two months in Olympia,some are are trying to keep in touch with constituents by shifting the standard "town hall meeting" from a place to a phone number. Republican Reps. Kevin Parker…
Thu., Jan. 23, 2014
OLYMPIA -- Legislative committees are trying to move bills out at a rapid pace today as they couple executive sessions with public hearings. The House Health Care and Wellness Committee might get an award for taking on the most controversial bills in a single session,…
Wed., Jan. 22, 2014
OLYMPIA – Don't get your hopes up for new money to finish the North-South Freeway, a group of business, civic and political leaders from Spokane was told Wednesday. The chances the Legislature will pass a package of big road projects paid by a gasoline tax…
Wed., Jan. 22, 2014
One more obstacle for Washington's budding marijuana industry to confront: You won't be able to advertise on Google or Facebook. That according to TIME, which says that even in Washington and Colorado, where recreational marijuana use is legal, Google and Facebook will not allow sellers…
Tue., Jan. 21, 2014
OLYMPIA – Efforts to bring the state’s two laws on marijuana together is generating several proposals in the Legislature and rifts among the medical marijuana community. Some patients on Tuesday described a pair of bills on medical marijuana as unconstitutional intrusions, others said they were…
Tue., Jan. 21, 2014
OLYMPIA -- The state Transportation Department would be barred from spending highway construction money for art or special concrete designs on walls and bridges under a Valley legislator's bill. But that might not save much money to spend on other projects. The department said it…
Tue., Jan. 21, 2014
Rep. Matt Shea urges demonstrators for the March for LIfe to continue the fight against legalized abortion. OLYMPIA -- The annual March for Life brought several thousand demonstrators to the Capitol Tuesday, filling the north steps of the Legislative Building and the Temple of Justice.…
Tue., Jan. 21, 2014
"Going Richard Sherman" might become the go-to phrase for someone who elevates trash-talking with a long-time adversary to a whole new -- and more public -- level. Consider this posting by Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick the city of Portland's website. Going Richard Sherman on…
Tue., Jan. 21, 2014
OLYMPIA -- A bill to give all businesses in Washington the same low Business and Occupation Tax rate, cutting some $1.8 billion out of state coffers next year, is a bad idea several people told the House Finance Committee. Including the bill's sponsor, Rep. Larry…
Mon., Jan. 20, 2014
OLYMPIA – Drunk drivers could face prison on their fourth conviction – one less than Washington law currently allows – if the Legislature can find a way to pay for the extra costs for that time in state prisons and county jails. One possible source…
Mon., Jan. 20, 2014
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature meets today despite the state holiday for Martin Luther King Day. Not much floor action,but a full day of hearings on a potpourri of bills that include tougher rules for driving under the influence, changes to the state lottery, revised rules…
Fri., Jan. 17, 2014
OLYMPIA – For a while, it seemed as though someone hit the rewind button Friday in the Legislature. Last year’s ballot battle over genetically modified food was being rerun in a hearing as some fishing groups called for a ban on re-engineered salmon and others…
Fri., Jan. 17, 2014
Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, sports Seahawks attire while leading the Senate through today's pro forma session. OLYMPIA -- It is Seahawks attire day in the Capitol, where Senators and staff were allowed -- actually encouraged -- to wear team attire or team colors and a…
Fri., Jan. 17, 2014
OLYMPIA – Cities and counties can say no to recreational marijuana businesses even though Washington voters have said yes, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Thursday. In a formal attorney general's opinion responding to questions from the Liquor Control Board, Ferguson and his staff said Initiative…
Fri., Jan. 17, 2014
OLYMPIA -- The Legislature has a smorgasbord of issues on its hearing schedule today. Genetically modified fish. Old convictions for tribal fishing protests. Ski lift safety. EPI pens. Sexually violent predators. Crooks in body armor. All those and more will be the subjects of bills…
Thu., Jan. 16, 2014
OLYMPIA – Electricity from the West Plains garbage incinerator would be classified as a renewable energy, and be more valuable to an electric utility, under a bill proposed by Spokane Sen. Mike Baumgartner. Spokane’s waste-to-energy plant should be designated as a renewable resource, Baumgartner told…
Thu., Jan. 16, 2014
Spokane Mayor David Condon is heeding the advice of Spokane City Council members who have pushed him to reopen contract negotiations with the Spokane Police Guild. The mayor and guild agreed to a tentative four-year labor contract last fall, but that deal was rejected by…
Wed., Jan. 15, 2014
As mentioned elsewhere on the website, Washington's official pitch for the 777X names the West Plains as an alternative site for the assembly plant and describes all the good things the state has done and will do for Boeing. For those who want to delve…
Wed., Jan. 15, 2014
OLYMPIA -- Medical marijuana patients bashed a proposal by state agencies to change current state laws on the drug as everything from unworkable to unconstitutional at a morning legislative hearing. Legislators also sharply questioned staff from the Liquor Control Board and the Department of Health…
Wed., Jan. 15, 2014
OLYMPIA -- The ceremonial beginnings of the Legislature now over, the honorables get down to the more mundane work: Committee hearings. There will be hearings on medical marijuana legislation at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. A bill on "knockout game" assaults at 1:30 p.m. Discussions…
Tue., Jan. 14, 2014
OLYMPIA – Washington should raise its minimum wage, spend more on schools and highways, raise teacher salaries and do something about climate change, Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday. “We have done hard things. And we can do more,” the Democratic governor told a joint legislative…
Tue., Jan. 14, 2014
A West Central Neighborhood leader says his life won’t be altered much by his recent lottery win that will give him $1,000 a week for the rest of his life. Kelly Cruz, 53, was with his father on New Year’s Eve at Safeway on Northwest…
Tue., Jan. 14, 2014
We're covering Gov. Jay Inslee's state of the state address with a live Twitter feed from the House of Representatives floor: Tweets about "#waleg"
Tue., Jan. 14, 2014
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee delivers his "state of the state" address to a joint session of the Legislature at noon. Last month he signaled he's pushing for a "hold steady, get ready" budget for the short session. The road to "hold steady" could get…
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.
| Jan. 2014 | ||||
| 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
| 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
| 20 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
| 13 | 11 | 10 | 09 | 08 |
| 07 | 06 | 04 | 03 | 02 |
