The Washington Post has posted a 12-page memo from U.S. Sen. Patty Murray outlining her positions on writing a budget for 2014. Murray, D-Wash., argues that deficit reduction has so far focused almost entirely on cuts and not enough on "revenue" -- tax increases. "We…
The new leader of the U.S. Senate’s Budget Committee said Tuesday that Republican threats to shutdown the government are irresponsible. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said there will be opportunities to negotiate budget cuts without crafting a deal around increasing the county’s borrowing limit. “The…
Former Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard will lead downtown Spokane main business group. The Downtown Spokane Partnership announced today that Richard started this week as the organization’s new president. In September, the partnership’s board fired then-president Mike Tedesco, who earned $95,000 a year in the…
The Spokane City Council on Monday selected attorney Brian T. McGinn as the city’s new hearing examiner. He will replace Greg Smith who is retiring and has worked for the city since 1977. He has been the hearing examiner for more than 20 years, said…
The IMAX at Riverfront Park only will be open for six months. The Spokane Park Board on Thursday voted unanimously to close the theater after Dec. 31. It will open for six months in the spring. Park officials estimated that shortening the schedule would save…
Spokane City Councilman Ben Stuckart used first-hand experience when arguing at Monday's council meeting that the city should hire more cops. Two weeks ago, when he and his wife were in Seattle, someone knocked in the back door of their home. It was the second…
Spokane’s city government is shedding 92 jobs. The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 4-3 to freeze the city general fund budget, largely accepting the recommendations of Mayor David Condon. Condon proposed a $161 million general fund, which pays for police, fire, parks, libraries and…
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers won the fourth highest position in the House of Representatives today in a closed meeting of House Republicans, The Hill, Politico and other media are reporting. McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, was elected chairwoman of the House Republican Conference. It ranks just…
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has missed a key endorsement in her quest to win the fourth-most powerful position in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, the recent Republican vice presidential nominee, has backed Tom Price, R-Ga., in the race between Price…
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has begun her public campaign in her race to become the chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, the fourth-highest ranking position in the U.S. House of Representatives. She sent a letter to her Republican colleagues this morning that outlines her…
Spokane City Councilman Jon Snyder said he's concerned that the city isn't prepared for the major shift in the law. He's proposing that the council form a committee to examine the law and suggest if further regulations are needed. "It's time to sit down with…
Rob McKenna, the Republican nominee for governor, has called remarks made by a Republican candidate for Congress in a close race in western Washington “inappropriate.” John Koster, who is running in the Congressional district that includes Seattle suburbs and Mount Vernon, told a liberal activist…
First, let me use this opportunity to promote the first of six election videos in the race for state House to replace state Rep. John Ahern. Look for the other videos featuring candidates Democrat Dennis Dellwo and Republican Jeff Holy throughout the week. Now on…
In August, state Rep. Matt Shea appeared to be mending bridges in the local Republican Party. He attended a meeting of the Republicans of Spokane County and won the group's endorsement. The Republicans of Spokane County is an organization that formed a few years ago…
Register to vote today, or wait in a really long line on Monday. That’s the message from Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton for those who want to vote in the November election but still aren’t registered. Monday is the deadline to register, but Dalton warns…
About 150 gathered for U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell’s campaign rally this evening in Spokane at the Lincoln Center. There wasn’t much we haven’t heard on the trail before, so here are a few miscellaneous thoughts: -- The Democrats appear enthused about the race for Congress.…
Dozens if not hundreds of fliers left on cars and doorsteps against Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin’s campaign for state Senate could violate state disclosure law. The black-and-white fliers that appear to be printed with a copy machine or computer printer criticize McLaughlin, a Republican,…
The Spokane Ethics Commission ruled quickly on Wednesday against a complaint filed against Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin. Rev. James CastroLang, who leads the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Colville, filed a complaint alleging that McLaughlin violated city ethics rules when her campaign…
Both candidates for Congress in Spokane's 5th Congressional District oppose the initiative that would legalize marijuana under many circumstances. But they differ on an issue over which they may have some say. That's the proposed reclassification of the drug to allow it to be prescribed…
Candidates for Spokane County Commission will face off Wednesday evening in student-led debates hosted by the Central Valley High School’s Government Club. The club also has invited the candidates in the hotly-contest Spokane Valley race for state House between incumbent Republican Matt Shea and Democrat…
Spokane’s first police ombudsman will keep his job for another year. Mayor David Condon decided in August not to renew Ombudsman Tim Burns’ three-year contract. The move angered some City Council members, who questioned why Condon was willing to let the city go without an…
Spokane Mayor David Condon has agreed to dissolve the zone that could have led to restrictions of high-octane beer sales in the West Central Neighborhood. The Spokane City Council voted 4-3 earlier this month to remove the neighborhood’s designation as an Alcohol Impact Area. The…
And the North Spokane freeway.
Today, we launch a series of videos on local election, giving candidates a chance to explain their platform and positions on several issues. We'll start with the race for state Senate in central Spokane between state Rep. Andy Billig and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin.…
The Democratic opponent of U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in the November election used much of the first debate for Congressional seat representing Spokane working to portray the incumbent Republican as an engrained fixture in a bickering Congress. But McMorris Rodgers used her time to…
