WA Government

When a 190-pound high school wrestler head -butted Spokane Valley’s Bob West while he was officiating a Colville wrestling match in 1996, he knew it was the end of his 35-year referee career.

OLYMPIA – The only thing stopping local bettors from wagering on the Gonzaga Bulldogs next year is a stroke of Gov. Bob Ferguson’s pen.

A trio of conservative media figures will continue to be barred from access to press areas on the state House of Representatives floor, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

A perfect resolution to cap off a perfect season.

OLYMPIA – The faces of lawmakers were almost evenly split between excitement and despair Tuesday evening.

OLYMPIA – Gov. Bob Ferguson has again appointed a familiar and experienced litigator with no previous judicial experience to the state Supreme Court.

OLYMPIA – Less than two years after both chambers of the Washington Legislature overwhelmingly passed an initiative to bar state and local jurisdictions from adopting an income tax, lawmakers are on the verge of doing just that.

OLYMPIA – Responding to a controversy this week, Sen. Leonard Christian said in a statement Friday he now understands “that my remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday have given offense to some members of the developmentally disabled community.”

OLYMPIA – The latest state income tax proposal on people earning more than $1 million a year has the backing of Gov. Bob Ferguson.

State Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, drew rebuke from fellow lawmakers Wednesday afternoon for using a slur for disabled people while debating the merits of a state program that imposes restrictions on those with developmental disabilities who have been charged or convicted of a sexual offense or suspected of being a risk to others.

OLYMPIA – Washington lawmakers are on the verge of an agreement that will give Spokane’s Waste-to-Energy facility a longer timeline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with state standards.

OLYMPIA – Washington lawmakers passed a pair of bills Tuesday afternoon that supporters say will rein in immigration enforcement in the state.

The state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission could remove Washington sheriffs not fit to hold office under a bill heard in the House Community Safety Committee on Monday.

What's the most iconic view of Spokane's 3rd Legislative District?

OLYMPIA – Lawmakers in the state Capitol have spent nearly two months debating whether Washington should impose an income tax on individual earnings that exceed $1 million per year.

Funding that helps Washington communities plant and sustain trees is on the chopping block in the state Legislature.

OLYMPIA – House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon has issued an apology after showing up intoxicated during Wednesday evening’s House Appropriations Committee meeting.

OLYMPIA – Washington will not join Utah and impose a stricter standard for driving while intoxicated, at least not this year.

OLYMPIA – Legislation aimed at reining in Washington’s growing tort liability appears to be dead, at least for this year.