State Senator
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Incumbents persevere, but challenges await
Thousands of votes are still to be counted from Tuesday’s primary, but along with most races, some lessons are clear. Lesson 1: It may be uncomfortable to be an incumbent this year, but it’s not fatal. Few incumbents were eliminated in the state’s top-two primary, but some clearly have their work ahead of them.
Election results offer up valuable lessons
Thousands of votes are still to be counted from Tuesday’s primary, but along with most races, some lessons are clear.
Marr wins city, Baumgartner wins county
Marr wins city, Baumgartner wins county
Election roundup: Murray, Rossi tie on the gloves
Sen. Patty Murray will face Dino Rossi in the November general election, continuing the fight for a U.S. Senate seat that started even before the Republican former legislator got into the race in May. With hundreds of thousands of ballots still to count, Murray was pulling down the most votes Tuesday night in the state’s top-two primary, and Rossi was a somewhat distant second, but far ahead of tea party favorite Clint Didier, a former NFL player turned Eltopia farmer. Bellingham businessman Paul Akers ran a distant fourth.
Anti-Marr mailer draws fire
In Tuesday’s primary elections, voters can pick a candidate for the state senate in Eastern Washington’s most competitive legislative district, but both choices are assured of winning a spot in November’s final showdown. Even so, the race between Sen. Chris Marr and his GOP rival, Michael Baumgartner, in the 6th Legislative District has turned into one of the nastiest primaries in the region, with accusations of ignorance, mismanagement and carpetbagging dominating the debate.
They said it
Community leaders agree that the people who take over for Bill Robinson and Gary Livingston will have huge shoes to fill, because the men left their strong footprints throughout the Inland Northwest. Here’s what some of those leaders said:
Liquor limits expanded
OLYMPIA – Small distilleries will be able to produce more liquor under a new law that triples their maximum capacity to 60,000 gallons. The law, signed Thursday by Gov. Chris Gregoire, is a reflection of the fast growth of Spokane’s “craft” distillery, Dry Fly, which was the first such operation in Washington since Prohibition when it was set up in 2007.
Bill benefitting Dry Fly signed into law
Small distilleries will be able to produce more liquor under a new law that triples their maximum capacity to 60,000 gallons. The law, signed Thursday by Gov. Chris Gregoire, is a reflection of the fast growth of Spokane’s “craft” distillery, Dry Fly, which was the first such operation in Washington since Prohibition when it was set up in 2007.
‘Dry Fly’ bill becomes law
‘Dry Fly’ bill becomes law
Senate OKs sales, business tax hikes
OLYMPIA – The Senate passed increases in state sales and business taxes Friday afternoon, sending a slightly pared-down version of its original tax package to the House, which had rejected it earlier this month. Democrats in the House, as well as Gov. Chris Gregoire, remain opposed to a sales tax increase, but passing the budget in one chamber is a needed step in negotiations to fix a $2.8 billion budget shortfall and end the special session.
Washington Legislature’s special session begins
OLYMPIA – The Washington Legislature picked up Monday where it left off Thursday, trying to close an estimated $2.8 billion hole in the state’s operating budget. Legislative leaders said they were closer to agreeing on how much to cut and spend, and how much to raise in taxes, but didn’t release figures.
Wash. lawmakers start special session to pass budget
The Washington Legislature picked up Monday where it left off Thursday, trying close an estimated $2.8 billion hole in the state’s operating budget.
Washington Legislature prepares for special session
OLYMPIA – The Legislature prepared to go into extra innings Wednesday as consensus on addressing the state’s $2.8 billion budget gap remained elusive and the ability to turn any agreement into reality became physically impossible. The 60-day session is due to end today – at the stroke of midnight, if working that late would finish the job. But as the hours ticked away Wednesday, Democrats who control the House and Senate remained unable to reach agreement on how much to spend, cut, tax and leave in reserve in the state’s general fund budget.
Washington Senate narrowly approves tax plan
OLYMPIA – With not a vote to spare, Washington Senate Democrats on Sunday approved an $805 million tax package that includes hikes in sales and business taxes, sending it to the House for an almost certain overhaul. After four hours of debate and parliamentary maneuvering Saturday, and two more Sunday, the Senate voted 25-23 to approve 21 separate changes to the state’s tax laws. Six Democrats, including state Sen. Chris Marr of Spokane, opposed it, as did all Republicans. A bill to add an extra $1-per-pack cigarette tax, bringing the state an extra $86 million, passed on a 29-19 vote.
Senators spar over tax hike package
OLYMPIA – After more than four hours of sometimes contentious debate over a proposal to raise taxes on consumers and a wide range of businesses, Senate Democrats and Republicans put off for at least a day a vote on the overall plan. They debated whether the $805 million in extra taxes was the biggest in state history, whether it would kill jobs or save essential services, and whether it should get voter approval before taking effect.
Senate delays vote on tax plan
OLYMPIA – After more than four hours of sometimes contentious debate over a proposal to raise taxes on consumers and a wide range of businesses, Senate Democrats and Republicans put off for at least a day a vote on the overall plan.
Income tax put forward
OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats may offer voters a choice: a higher sales tax or an income tax on people making more than $200,000 a year. With very short notice, the Senate Ways and Means Committee held a hearing Thursday on a voter-approved income tax, the latest plan from Democrats to close a projected $2.8 billion budget gap with a balance of program cuts and higher taxes.
Senate Dems: Swap some sales tax for income tax on rich?
Senate Democrats may offer voters a choice of which tax they like better: a higher sales tax or an income tax on people making more than $200,000 a year.
Hospital feud prompts legislation
OLYMPIA – The Legislature came closer to stepping between two feuding hospital organizations in Spokane by changing laws that govern what happens when the board of a nonprofit corporation deadlocks. House Bill 3046 gives a Superior Court judge more latitude in solving an impasse on any nonprofit board. Under current law, the judge essentially is limited to dissolving the corporation.
Lean budget squeaks by Senate
OLYMPIA – With the bare minimum votes needed and debate over taxes yet to come, Senate Democrats passed a general fund budget Saturday designed to close the state’s $2.8 billion budget gap. Even without a firm decision on which taxes to add or alter to raise more than $900 million in extra revenue, the combination of programs cut, reserves tapped and federal funds corralled gave almost everyone in the chamber something to dislike.