Jonathan Brunt

Eastern Washington’s clout in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives appears to be growing. U.S Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Spokane Republican, was chosen by her colleagues Wednesday to serve as chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, the fourth-highest-ranking position in the congressional chamber. The secret ballot vote was conducted in a closed meeting. The tally was not publicly disclosed.

The nonprofit group that used to advise the East Central Community Center is about to be placed in charge of the neighborhood institution. The East Central Community Organization was the only group that responded to a request by the city for plans to take over the center’s operations, and the Spokane City Council is expected to approve the transfer to the group next week.

Eastern Washington’s clout in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives appears to be growing. U.S Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Spokane Republican, was chosen by her colleagues Wednesday to serve as chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, the fourth-highest-ranking position in the congressional chamber.

For some pastors, Washington’s new law allowing same-sex marriage only adds a piece of paperwork to the blessings they already give to gay couples making a lifelong commitment. For others, the new law has no bearing because their church rules already bar them from marrying people of the same sex.

With Americans electing a divided government, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has softened her position on compromising over scheduled tax increases before the end of the year. Echoing comments made by House Speaker John Boehner, McMorris Rodgers said Wednesday she is open to pursuing a solution to the so-called “fiscal cliff” before the end of the year and believes “everything needs to be on the table” in those discussions. The scheduled tax increases and massive budget cuts that comprise the cliff were hotly debated in the election, with President Barack Obama and most Democrats arguing that tax increases should be limited to those earning more than $200,000 a year. Republicans, including McMorris Rodgers, had argued they would block any plan that raised taxes on anyone.

Democrats appear likely to hold on to both chambers of the Washington Legislature. Republicans had pushed to recapture the state Senate, where the Democrats currently have five more seats than Republicans. Control of the House has not been as much in dispute because Democrats have a wider margin, with 14 more seats than the GOP, and the party appeared to easily maintain a wide majority there.

With four days left until Election Day, campaigns are shifting their focus from policy arguments to pleas for action. Candidates, meanwhile, are crisscrossing the state to make their final pitches. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna made his last stop in Spokane before Tuesday’s election at a rally at a GOP campaign office in front of about 75 supporters.

With five days left until Election Day, campaigns are shifting their focus from policy arguments to pleas for action. Candidates, meanwhile, are crisscrossing the state to make their final pitches.

About 400 people came to the Spokane County elections office on Monday to register to vote. The numbers were far fewer than expected on the last day to register before the Nov. 6 election.