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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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House approves land swap for tribe

The U.S. House of Representatives approved by an overwhelming margin a swap of federal land that will allow a small Northwest tribe to move its school and some homes out of a tsunami zone on the Pacific Coast. By a vote of 381 to 7, the House passed a bill directing the U.S. Park Service to make a trade with the Quileute Tribe in La Push, Wash., for about 780 acres in the Olympic National Park, which adjoins the reservation in the Olympic National Forest.

Inslee’s jobs plan focuses on six ‘key industry clusters’

The likely Democratic nominee for Washington governor spent much of a campaign speech Monday unveiling his job creation plan calling for a “culture change” in Olympia. Jay Inslee, a Democratic congressman from Bainbridge Island, said he would focus the state’s job creation efforts on six “key industry clusters” – aerospace, life sciences, military, agriculture, information technology and clean-energy technology.

Inslee calls for focus on six industries

Jay Inslee, a Democratic candidate for governor, said he would focus the state’s job creation efforts on six “key industry clusters” – aerospace, life sciences, military, agriculture, information technology and clean energy technology.

Senate passes gay marriage bill 28-21

Senate passes gay marriage bill 28-21

Same-sex marriage bill passes Senate

OLYMPIA — The Senate passed a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry on a 28-21 vote.

Same-sex marriage debate tonight in Senate

Same-sex marriage debate tonight in Senate

Spin Control: Coverage of caucuses is pointless

If no one else has yet proposed this, might I suggest the news media stop paying attention to the results of the Iowa precinct caucuses … or any precinct caucuses, for that matter. That includes Washington. No offense, all you good party loyalists who are preparing for the big March 3 event.

Districts will ask voters to help support hundreds of jobs

School levies are often associated with K-12 programs, such as sports, art and music. But the community-supported portion of a school district’s budget – a local tax – also helps pay for hundreds of jobs within a school district, including teachers, coaches, bus drivers, secretaries and janitors.

McLaughlin considering bid against Brown

McLaughlin considering bid against Brown

Senator’s retirement deals Democrats a setback

Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska told his supporters today he plans to retire rather than seek a third term, a significant setback for Democratic efforts to maintain control of the chamber next year.

Senate OKs trillion-dollar budget bill, payroll tax cut

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Saturday extending a Social Security payroll tax cut and jobless benefits for just two months, handing President Barack Obama a partial victory while setting the stage for another fight in February.

Senate rejects two balanced budget amendments

The Senate today voted against changing the Constitution to require a balanced budget as Congress hit yet another dead end in its search for a way out of its fiscal morass. Two proposals for balanced budget amendments were doomed by the partisanship that dominates Congress. All but one Republican voted against a Democratic measure, and every Democrat opposed the GOP-backed version. Amendments to the Constitution must be approved by two-thirds of the House and Senate and three-fourths of state legislatures.

McMorris Rodgers endorses Romney

McMorris Rodgers endorses Romney

Budget, tax credits lead agendas of region’s lawmakers

WASHINGTON – With just under a month left in 2011, the federal budget and tax breaks top Inland Northwest lawmakers’ year-end to-do lists. Three of 12 appropriations bills are on President Barack Obama’s desk and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., remains optimistic the other nine will join them by year’s end.

Heating assistance at risk in federal bill

On a snowy day when temperatures were expected to dip into the teens, Spokane residents learned the state may lose millions in federal funding for heating assistance to southern states such as Arizona and Florida. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., spoke Saturday to seniors and low-income home heating program advocates in Spokane about a bill that would cut Washington’s heating assistance program.

NYTimes profiles Cantwell

NYTimes profiles Cantwell

Long freeze coming for some candidates

Long freeze coming for some candidates

Cain’s popularity reaches new heights

CONCORD, N.H. — Herman Cain basked Wednesday in the glow that attends top-tier contenders in New Hampshire and began scrambling to assemble the sort of staff needed to capitalize on a surge that has blindsided Texas Gov. Rick Perry and other Republican rivals.

Easy to be frightened by such eerie electioneering

This time of year is such a creepfest. The ghouls. The goblins.

Timber payments have local backing

U.S. senators from Washington and Idaho all say they support a plan to extend payments to counties and school districts that have significant amounts of federal land inside their boundaries. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington and Raul Labrador of Idaho, however, are looking at plans to increase timber sales and other money-making activities on those lands, and set it aside for the those timber counties and school districts.