Jim Camden

All Stories

News >  Spokane

House Democrats split on any action regarding Shea

Sun., Feb. 9, 2020

House Democrats remain divided about what action, if any, to take regarding Republican Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, and allegations from independent investigators that some of his actions could be considered “domestic terrorism”.

News >  Washington

RIP to these Washington state legislative bills

Sun., Feb. 9, 2020

Four weeks into the 2020 legislative session it’s impossible to say what new laws will be created on major issues like the environment, homelessness or taxes. It is possible to predict with some certainty which bills won’t become law.

Opinion >  Column

Spin Control: Anger over Iowa caucus problems partly the media’s fault

Sun., Feb. 9, 2020

Problems with a computer app has some people predicting the beginning of the end for the Iowa caucuses as the three-ring political circus to kick off the nation’s quadrennial presidential sweepstakes.

News >  Washington

House, Senate advance plans to regulate CO2 emissions from cars

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 6, 2020

The state’s environmental agency would have more power to regulate carbon dioxide pollution under proposals approved by committees in both legislative chambers Thursday, despite efforts by Republicans to trim back that authority.

News >  Washington

Senate panel considers election security measures

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 5, 2020

Washington lawmakers may face a tough choice between election security and giving overseas troops a way they can cast a ballot.

News >  Nation

Republicans praise State of the Union Address but Democrats wonder about details

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 5, 2020

Nortnwest Republicans give President Trump’s speech high praise, Democrats call it a “victory lap” short on details for the future.

News >  WA Government

Senate could toughen penalties for crimes involving threats, guns

Tue., Feb. 4, 2020

Washington laws could crack down on a person threatening mass violence and those who try to harass someone by making a false report to 911.

Opinion >  Column

Spin Control: Will state really study removing Ballard Locks and raising Lake Washington? No dam way

Sun., Feb. 2, 2020

Bill suggesting the removal of dams and locks in Western Washington tries to make a point, but may not move the salmon debate forward.

News >  Spokane

Senate votes again to strike death penalty statute

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 31, 2020

Although Washington’s death penalty has been placed on hold by the governor and ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court, the Senate voted Friday to eliminate capital punishment from state law.

News >  Washington

Senate passes fix for new business tax to fund college aid

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 3, 2020

A new business tax the Legislature passed last year to generate money for the state’s college grant program needs an overhaul even though it just went into effect on Jan. 1, Senate Democrats said Thursday.

News >  WA Government

House passes bill to cut vehicle pollution, increase number of electric cars

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 29, 2020

Washington motorists would use fuel with fewer greenhouse gases – and likely pay more for it – over the next 15 years under a proposal to reduce those pollutants approved by the House on Wednesday.

News >  Washington

Documents from Shea investigation show detailed plans for action

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 29, 2020

Spokane Valley Rep. Matt Shea laid out detailed plans to prepare for dramatic “government escalation” at an Oregon standoff and to protect the ability of a Priest River, Idaho, veteran to keep his guns, documents released Tuesday by the House leaders indicate.

News >  WA Government

Washington House considers legalized betting on some sporting events

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 28, 2020

House considers law to allow sports betting at tribal casinos.

News >  WA Government

State could put limits on release of DNA data

Sun., Jan. 26, 2020

Washington residents who spit in a tube or supply some other sample of their DNA to companies that analyze it for a fee would have legal protections for who could see the test results, under a proposal before a House panel.

Opinion >  Column

Spin Control: Legislative hearings offer lessons in constitutional scholarship – sort of

Sun., Jan. 26, 2020

People who don’t spend much time in legislative hearings might be surprised to know the state is apparently awash with constitutional scholars.

News >  Spokane

Gun control bills move forward on party-line votes

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 23, 2020

With a series of shootings in Seattle filling local news reports, Democrats moved proposed restrictions on the size of magazines and training requirements for concealed pistol licenses moved out of a key Senate committee over Republican objections Thursday.

News >  Washington

House proposal would end most odd-year elections

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 22, 2020

House panel considers limiting most elections to even-numbered years.

News >  WA Government

State Senate approves comprehensive sex ed requirements for public schools

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 22, 2020

The Senate approved a bill requiring all public schools offer medically accurate, comprehensive sex education geared to children at all grade levels.

News >  WA Government

Local governments couldn’t force kids’ lemonade stands to be licensed under proposal in Washington House

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 22, 2020

Washington kids selling lemonade in their front yard might soon get the protection of the state against any move by a local government or health agency to shut them down.

News >  Spokane

House Democrats may skip further actions against Shea

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 21, 2020

House Democrats may not take further action against Spokane Valley Rep. Matt Shea unless they get enough Republican support for expulsion, their leaders said Tuesday.

News >  WA Government

Washington Legislature could see push to limit gun magazines

Tue., Jan. 21, 2020

Gun control advocates will put their weight behind an effort to restrict high-capacity magazines as the 2020 Legislature considers a series of bills on firearms.

Opinion >  Column

Spin Control: Inslee gives, gets apples as Legislature starts up

Sun., Jan. 19, 2020

Apples made their way into House chamber, State of the State address.

News >  Washington

T. rex relative could become Washington’s official state dinosaur

Sat., Jan. 18, 2020

Regardless of whether the Legislature sees fit to bestow that official designation, Suciasaurus is the state’s only dinosaur – at least in terms of having some fossilized part of an extinct reptile found within the boundaries of Washington.

News >  WA Government

State Rep. Matt Shea to gun rally in Olympia: Never back down

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 17, 2020

After a week in which he was officially removed from his committee assignments and moved to the back of the House floor, Rep. Matt Shea got a welcome more akin to a rock star Friday morning at a gun rights rally on the steps of the Capitol.

News >  WA Government

Washington Supreme Court allows caps on direct but not indirect greenhouse gas emissions

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 16, 2020

A state agency didn’t have the legal authority to order Washington utilities and oil refineries to come up with ways to reduce the pollution their products eventually emit when used by other people.