Jim Camden

OLYMPIA – Democratic leaders began pushing a package of some $668 million in higher taxes through the Legislature on Saturday, suspending rules as they tried to beat the Tuesday deadline to adjourn. The House of Representatives voted 52-44 to approve a tax plan made public a few hours earlier after more than a week of closed-door negotiations between Democratic leaders and Gov. Chris Gregoire.

OLYMPIA – When talking about the Legislature, it’s easy to get wrapped up in parliamentary details and arcane political jargon. To avoid that, here’s a simple way to look at the budget and tax plans as the “seven-day” special session enters Day 28. Think of solving the budget deficit as a family dinner. Like parents who profess to know what’s good for us, top legislative Democrats are about to make Washington residents eat our Brussels sprouts for the next 30 months.

Tax plan passes House, heads to Senate

OLYMPIA – Democratic leaders began pushing a package of some $668 million in higher taxes through the Legislature Saturday, suspending rules as they tried to beat the Tuesday deadline to adjourn. The House of Representatives voted 52-44 to approve a tax plan made public a few hours earlier after more than a week of closed-door negotiations between Democratic leaders and Gov. Chris Gregoire. Some Democrats who voted yes conceded it was a less than perfect plan. Rep. Timm Ormsby of Spokane said he liked some of the earlier House tax proposals which closed off more tax exemptions and hit consumers of certain items less.

OLYMPIA – The Legislature returns today with time running out in its special session and only two options to fix its unbalanced budget, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Friday: Pass an array of taxes that covers everything from soda and bottled water to candy and cigarettes, or go home and have her cut the general-fund budget by 20 percent. But don’t try to tinker with the tax package, she said. “You can pick it apart and it will fail.”

WA Lege SpecSess: Supporting tax hikes

Tax deal not yet out, but opponents are

WA Lege SpecSess: All quiet for now

OLYMPIA – Legislative Democrats and Gov. Chris Gregoire appeared close to a deal Wednesday on a package of taxes that would fill part of the state’s budget hole and end a special session without a hike in the sales tax. Close, but apparently no cigar, yet.

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Tax deal in the offing?

OLYMPIA – Legislative Democrats and Gov. Chris Gregoire appeared close to a “deal” Wednesday on a package of taxes that would fill part of the state’s budget hole and end a special session without a hike in the sales tax.

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WA Lege SpecSess: Negotiations continue

OLYMPIA – Democrats may be paying Dino Rossi the ultimate compliment. He is not a candidate against Patty Murray – not yet, anyway, and possibly not ever – but they are going after him hammer and tong. Or more accurately, Web site and Twitter. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has worked diligently to trash Rossi ever since his name surfaced as a measurable marker against Murray in some GOP polls. They may be taking these polls more seriously than Rossi himself, who appears content to let folks speculate by uttering the overused “never say never” line to questions about a run.

OLYMPIA – The Washington Legislature’s special session could continue through next weekend. House members, who had much of the week off but returned Friday to vote on a few bills, were told to expect a return to floor sessions next Friday and to work through next Sunday. There was no sign of a deal on the effort to find the right combination of taxes to raise as part of Senate and House Democrats’ solution to a $2.8 billion budget hole. Legislative leaders were still exchanging ideas that could form proposals that might lead to a deal, sources said.

OLYMPIA – Washington residents are likely to pay an extra 25 cents a month next year for every phone line they have, whether it’s a land line, a cell phone or an Internet-connected system. The House of Representatives passed an increase in phone taxes Friday to pay for enhanced 911 equipment for state and local agencies, following action taken Thursday by the Senate.

WA Lege SpecSess: Enhanced 911 tax hike passes

WA Lege SpecSess: Another week of this likely?

OLYMPIA – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter continues to “court” Washington businesses, sending personal letters to their owners that suggest they should move to the Gem State. That’s fair, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said Thursday, because the Evergreen State makes similar overtures to businesses in other states, including Idaho. She called foul last month when Otter sent out a blanket “love letter” to businesses in the Washington and Oregon that derided the neighboring states for tax increases.

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.