Stories by Jim Camden for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

New law allows supervision of car thieves after prison release

Tue., April 30, 2019

City officials notched a legislative victory Tuesday after some three years of lobbying, and hope it will translate into a victory in a fight against car theft.

News > WA Government

Washington lawmakers allow local school districts to increase taxes in final budget deal

UPDATED: Mon., April 29, 2019

Legislature goes into its final day of the 2019 regular session with budgets and taxes to pass.

News > WA Government

Spin Control: Doing the budget the way it’s always done doesn’t make it the best way

Sun., April 28, 2019

Legislature pushes toward its deadline with closed budget negotiations, hasty tax hearings and late-night votes because “that’s the way we always do it.”

News > Spokane

Legislature to vote on $52.4 billion budget today

Sat., April 27, 2019

Legislature moves toward passing a $52.4 billion operating budget and adjourning today.

News > WA Government

House GOP to review Shea reports

UPDATED: Sat., April 27, 2019

The House Republican Caucus will review reports of Rep. Matt Shea’s participation in an online chat in which others discussed violence against political opponents. But it won’t happen until the session is over.

News > WA Government

Democrats have tentative deal on $52.4 billion budget

UPDATED: Fri., April 26, 2019

Budget negotiators in Olympia reach tentative agreement on a $52.4 billion two-year budget.

News > WA Government

Washington lawmakers aim to block release of buy-back records

UPDATED: Fri., April 26, 2019

The names and addresses of Washington residents who turned in their bump stocks as part of the state’s buy-back program should be exempted from release under the public records law, some lawmakers say.

News > WA Government

State budget deal reached but no details released

UPDATED: Thu., April 25, 2019

Budget leaders for House and Senate Democrats reached a tentative deal Thursday on a compromise for a record state operating budget of more than $52 billion. But they aren’t saying what’s in it, yet.

News > Spokane

Legislature requires hospitals to give rest and meal breaks to nurses

UPDATED: Thu., April 25, 2019

Nurses and other hospital staff would get regular rest and meal breaks and other guarantees in their schedules under a bill that received final approval in both Legislature chambers Wednesday.

News > WA Government

Measles vaccine exemption bill heads to Inslee

UPDATED: Tue., April 23, 2019

House gives final passage to an end to the personal exemption for the measles vaccine.

News > WA Government

Walsh apologizes to nurses for “card-playing” comment

UPDATED: Thu., April 25, 2019

Sen. Maureen Walsh apologizes for suggesting nurses at some small hospitals “probably play cards a good amount of the day.”

News > Education

Spokane school officials lobby for more special education money, but not higher local levies

UPDATED: Tue., April 23, 2019

With the clock ticking toward Sunday’s scheduled end of the legislative session and a possible deal on the state operating budget, Spokane Public Schools officials were making pleas Monday to local lawmakers for help with their projected shortfall.

News > WA Government

Democrats call on GOP to oust Rep. Matt Shea after report says he backed surveillance on left-wing protestors

UPDATED: Mon., April 22, 2019

Washington Democrats called for state Rep. Matt Shea to be expelled from the GOP caucus on Monday after a news report revealed he took part in a private group chat that discussed attacking and spying on left-wing activists.

News > WA Government

Spin Control: How the vaxx bill was resurrected

Sun., April 21, 2019

The bill to limit exemptions for the measles vaccination was thought to be dead Wednesday night, but came back to life.

News > WA Government

Number, type of marijuana bills grow with the new industry

Sat., April 20, 2019

The Legislature saw a wide variety of bills addressing marijuana and the state’s growing industry this year.

News > WA Government

Senate votes to end personal exemption for measles vaccine

Thu., April 18, 2019

An effort to save the personal exemption parents can use to keep their children from receiving the measles vaccine failed Wednesday night.

News > WA Government

Supervision program approved by Washington Legislature will try to stop career car thieves

Wed., April 17, 2019

House gives final approval to program that could send career car thieves down a better road after they get out of prison.

News > WA Government

Washington Senate: Yes on year-round daylight saving time, no on public vote

UPDATED: Wed., April 17, 2019

Washington moved a bit closer to going to year-round daylight saving time as the Senate voted overwhelmingly to ask the federal government for the ability to make the switch.

News > WA Government

Senate votes aye on eyeball tattoo ban

UPDATED: Tue., April 16, 2019

Senate gives final passage to a ban on performing tattoos on eyeballs.

News > WA Government

Washington Senate votes to repeal 1881 law to help consumers in debt

UPDATED: Tue., April 16, 2019

Washington residents struggling with consumer debt could get some help, including lower interest rates and restrictions on collection agencies, from a series of bills the Senate passed Monday.

News > WA Government

Washington Legislature into the final push to decide money for schools as pressure mounts

Sun., April 14, 2019

Legislature facing pressure over school funding as it moves toward a deal on the 2019-21 general operating budget.

News > WA Government

Inslee gets national audience for presidential campaign pitch on climate change

UPDATED: Thu., April 11, 2019

In nationally televised pitch to win support for his 2020 presidential run, Gov. Jay Inslee tells town hall audience Washington is a good “template” for the rest of the country