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Idaho reminding voters of photo ID law
BOISE – The state is launching a campaign next month to remind Idaho voters that under a new law, they must provide photo identification to cast their ballots. Billboard advertisements and public service announcements are intended to decrease confusion during the November general election, said Deputy Secretary of State Tim Hurst.
Watch for yourself: State’s waiver on military ballots
Watch for yourself: State’s waiver on military ballots
Money pours into initiative campaigns
Money pours into initiative campaigns
The top donors to initiative campaigns (so far)
The top donors to initiative campaigns (so far)
Initiative campaigns attract $30 million in state
Soda pop sellers, liquor distributors and warehouse retailers are pouring millions of dollars into Washington to influence residents’ votes on a slew of statewide ballot measures. Some $30 million so far – the majority from out of state – has flooded the coffers of campaigns for or against an array of initiatives, a process in Washington that lets voters enact laws they feel their legislators won’t.
Spokane swing district again among state’s spendiest
A Spokane legislative district tops the state for money raised by candidates, and is near the top for spending that money before the August primary. The 6th Legislative District – which curves around central Spokane’s core from the Whitworth area to the South Hill – is often a pricey political battleground. Its last three state Senate races have been the three most expensive in state history, with the 2006 contest between Democrat Chris Marr and Republican incumbent Brad Benson at the top of the list. Nearly $818,000 was spent in that race for a seat that pays just over $42,000 per year.
Allred’s tax reform role attacked
BOISE – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keith Allred in 2006 played a major part in boosting a tax break for Idaho homeowners that’s reduced their annual payments, despite a Republican attack Thursday contending his role was minimal. House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, and Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs, accused Allred of taking too much credit for efforts to reduce property taxes in 2006, a year when home prices were skyrocketing and many residents were up in arms.
GOP questions ballot security in letter to county auditor
Republican Party leaders expressed concerns this week about the security of ballots mailed during the August primary to the Spokane County elections office. County party Chairwoman Cindy Zapotocky wrote county Auditor Vicky Dalton that a Republican observer saw uncovered trays of ballots being picked up at the downtown post office by a courier service contracted with the county. Zapotocky alleges that the courier made other stops with the ballots in his truck before dropping off the ballots at the elections office.
Bozo tops Jesus in county treasurer’s race
Bozo tops Jesus in county treasurer’s race
Primary results: All over but the signing
Primary results: All over but the signing
French hangs on for general election
A final vote count in last month’s primary election, to be certified today, didn’t turn around any races or trigger an automatic recount. Republican county commissioner candidate Al French retained a narrow lead Tuesday over Republican Jeff Holy and will advance to the Nov. 2 general election. French will face incumbent Democrat Bonnie Mager.
6th Lege Dist: Swing district or spendy district?
6th Lege Dist: Swing district or spendy district?
State getting bad rap on military voting waiver
State getting bad rap on military voting waiver
Rossi campaign waged losing battle over veterans
OLYMPIA – Candidates with at least half a brain rarely pick a fight they cannot win. So it seemed odd last week when a Seattle television station reported Dino Rossi was challenging Sen. Patty Murray on veterans issues and alleging the federal government was “spending recklessly” on veterans programs. Not only does Murray have a campaign commercial with a slew of veterans singing her praises, but she has a reputation for actually working on an issue to which most members of Congress merely pay lip service. It’s a recognized strength, sort of like recruiting point guards at Gonzaga.
Murray v. Rossi on veterans
Murray v. Rossi on veterans
State touts lack of income tax
OLYMPIA – Washington state touts its lack of an income tax in a current magazine supplement designed to attract business to the state. Not mentioned in the Fortune magazine special section is the fact that that could change in a few months. In three different places in an “advertorial” in the current issue of Fortune, prospective businesses or new residents are told that along with a well-educated work force and access to the great outdoors, one reason to come to Washington is the state has no individual or corporate income tax.
Come to WA. There’s no income tax…yet
Come to WA. There’s no income tax…yet
Dino Rossi: Champ of Freedom?
Dino Rossi: Champ of Freedom?
WA state gets waiver for military ballots
WA state gets waiver for military ballots
WA Sen race: Murray accepts 2 debates
WA Sen race: Murray accepts 2 debates