State
Husband of Gov. Gregoire has colon cancer surgery
OLYMPIA -- The husband of Gov. Chris Gregoire is recovering from surgery to remove recently discovered cancer in his colon.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Northwest
Judge rules tax initiative violates constitution
SEATTLE -- A voter-approved initiative that requires a two-thirds majority of the Legislature to raise taxes or close tax loopholes violates the state constitution, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Northwest
Sen. Haugen schedules 4 town halls
Haugen to hold Q&A sessionsState Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, will answer questions on the state budget, transportation, same-sex marriage and other issues at four town hall meetings this week.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Local News
Man accused of threatening governor called ‘delusional’
EVERETT -- An Everett man accused of sending threatening emails to Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier this month might have mental health issues, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Local News
GOP's top budget writer in state Senate resigns
OLYMPIA -- The top Republican budget writer in the state Senate is resigning his seat this week.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Northwest
GOP Sen. Zarelli to quit Thursday
Republican state Sen. Joseph Zarelli of Ridgefield, who announced two weeks ago he would not seek re-election, has decided to leave office Thursday and not serve out the final six months of his...
Date: 05/29/2012 | The Petri Dish
Date set for governor's aerospace summit
The date has been announced for Gov. Chris Gregoire's last aerospace summit.The governor's seventh annual state aerospace summit will be held Sept. 12 and 13 in Spokane.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Aerospace Blog
Private stores to start selling liquor on Friday
OLYMPIA -- Easy access to booze nearly all hours every day is what many Washington lawmakers wanted to avoid when Prohibition ended in 1933.
Date: 05/28/2012 | Local News
Kan. Gov. Brownback signs measure blocking Islamic law
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a law aimed at keeping the state's courts or government agencies from basing decisions on Islamic or other foreign legal codes, and a national Muslim group's spokesman said Friday that a court challenge is likely.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Nation & World
Gov. Christie: N.J. will start sports betting on its own
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- New Jersey will defy a federal ban and let people bet on the outcomes of football, basketball and other games this fall, Gov. Chris Christie said Thursday.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Nation & World
McKenna faces 2 ethics complaints over county work
SEATTLE -- A lawyer and a citizen have each filed ethics complaints against Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Northwest
2 county exec hires have ties to friend, legislator
EVERETT -- If you want to work for Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, knowing state Sen. Steve Hobbs might give you a leg up.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Local News
State to stagger closure of liquor stores next week
The Washington State Liquor Control Board has announced a phased closure schedule for state liquor stores as we near the June 1 start of private liquor sales. With...
Date: 05/22/2012 | Bizblog
Blind Chinese activist who fled house arrest arrives in U.S.
NEWARK, N.J. — A blind Chinese legal activist who was suddenly allowed to leave the country arrived in the U.S. on Saturday, ending a nearly monthlong diplomatic tussle that had tested U.S.-China relations.
Date: 05/19/2012 | Nation & World
Plan to lease Puyallup trout hatchery gets mixed opinions
TACOMA -- The state Department of Fish and Wildlife may lease a trout hatchery in Puyallup to a Portland-based seafood processing and distribution company.
Date: 05/19/2012 | Northwest
Zarelli, GOP's top budget writer in state Senate, to retire
OLYMPIA -- The top Republican budget writer in the state Senate is retiring.Ridgefield Sen. Joe Zarelli said in a statement Friday evening that he hopes he left state government better than how he found it. He says the last few years have been both wearing and rewarding.
Date: 05/18/2012 | Northwest
State crime rate dropped in 2011
SPOKANE -- Crime rates dropped across the state in 2011, according to an annual report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.The total crime rate fell to 38.3 crimes per 1,000 residents, down 3.4 percent from the 2010 rate.
Date: 05/18/2012 | Northwest
2nd shot to own liquor store
ELLENSBURG -- Washington state is giving people another opportunity to own a liquor store.
Date: 05/18/2012 | Business
Opponents make last bid to halt state liquor law
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Opponents of Washington state's liquor-privatization initiative made a final bid Thursday to invalidate the voter-approved law just two weeks before it is set to take effect.
Date: 05/18/2012 | Business
In digital age, public-records law gets cloudy
Our recent story about at-work campaign activity involving an aide to Aaron Reardon wasn't just about the slow-motion scandal unfolding around the Snohomish County executive.
Date: 05/17/2012 | Need to Know
State audit outlines changes for Everett schools policies
The state auditor's office wants the Everett School District to change the way it lists the charges for some construction projects on its books and have the school district tighten its policies on vehicle use by employees.
Date: 05/16/2012 | Local News
State warns consumers about crowdfunding
The state Department of Financial Institutions today issued a warning to consumers about the emerging practice of crowdfunding. We've written about it before, but the state news release below lays it out pretty well,...
Date: 05/15/2012 | Bizblog
States leaving booze biz
WASHINGTON -- For about a year, Pennsylvania wine-lovers didn't have to go to a state-run Fine Wine & Good Spirits store to pick up a bottle of their favorite cabernet or sauvignon blanc.
Date: 05/14/2012 | Business
On the Record: a selection of government data
Road tripsGovernment travel spending
Date: 05/12/2012 | Need to Know
Inbox: Rails, liquor, lean factories, Mount Vernon
Working on the railroad
Date: 05/10/2012 | Bizblog
Gay marriage opponents closer to qualifying R-74
OLYMPIA -- Opponents of gay marriage said Wednesday they have more than half of the signatures they need to qualify a proposed referendum seeking to overturn a law legalizing gay marriage in Washington state.
Date: 05/09/2012 | Northwest
State asks Corps to study coal terminal plans
OLYMPIA — The Washington Ecology Department is asking the Corps of Engineers to develop a cumulative study of plans for coal export terminals in the Northwest.
Date: 05/09/2012 | Business
Milwaukee mayor to face Walker in Wis. recall
MADISON, Wis. -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett won the Democratic primary Tuesday in Wisconsin’s historic recall election, leaving him with a short four weeks to make the closing argument that Republican Gov. Scott Walker should be booted from office after 16 contentious months on the...
Date: 05/08/2012 | Nation & World
State to get $7 million in drug settlement
OLYMPIA -- Washington state will receive $7 million from multistate settlements with Abbott Laboratories over allegations the company illegally promoted an anti-seizure drug.Abbott has agreed to pay $1.5 billion over the illegal off-label marketing of its anti-seizure drug Depakote.
Date: 05/07/2012 | Northwest
Summer burn ban on state lands
OLYMPIA -- For the third straight year the Washington Department of Natural Resources will ban outdoor burning this summer in state forests and all lands protected by DNR firefighters.
Date: 05/07/2012 | Northwest
On the Record: a selection of government data
Budget linesSpending gleaned from government consent agendas in Snohomish County and Olympia.Office of the Governor of Washington: $18,000 to M.D. Rushworth of Sammamish to paint an official portrait of Gov. Chris Gregoire.
Date: 05/05/2012 | Need to Know
Jayme Biendl among officers receiving top state honor
OLYMPIA -- Nine officers have earned Washington state's highest law enforcement award.
Date: 05/04/2012 | Northwest
State to pay $2.9M to sex abuse victim
TACOMA -- Washington state has agreed to pay nearly $2.9 million to a woman who said she was sexually abused by her father following an inadequate investigation into her case by social workers.
Date: 05/04/2012 | Northwest
Women suing McKenna over federal health care law
SEATTLE -- Dozens of women filed a lawsuit Thursday against Attorney General Rob McKenna, alleging that his participation in legal action seeking to overturn the new federal health care law threatens access to comprehensive coverage for women.
Date: 05/03/2012 | Northwest
State DOT selling 21 surplus properties
OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Transportation is selling 21 surplus properties.
Date: 05/03/2012 | Northwest
Gregoire signs budget saying tax hike needed
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire signed what she hoped will be her last budget on Wednesday, breathed a sigh of relief then said her successor must come up with as much as $1 billion in new revenue for public schools.
Date: 05/03/2012 | Local News
Everett governor candidate shut out of debate
What does a guy running for governor have to do to get an invitation to the election's first big debate next month?
Date: 05/03/2012 | Local News
State reissues draft Hanford permit for comment
RICHLAND -- The Washington state Department of Ecology released for public comment a draft permit for regulating hazardous and radioactive waste left from decades of plutonium production at the Hanford nuclear reservation.
Date: 05/01/2012 | Northwest
Board approves purchase of school trust land
OLYMPIA -- The Washington state Board of Natural Resources has approved the purchase of nearly 3,400 acres of irrigated farm land in Benton County for the school construction trust.
Date: 05/01/2012 | Northwest
On the Record: a selection of government data
Budget linesSpending gleaned from government consent agendas all over Snohomish County.
Date: 04/28/2012 | Need to Know
How states fared on jobless aid applications
Weekly unemployment benefit applications were little changed last week and remained stuck near a three-month high. That suggests hiring may have slowed after strong job gains this winter.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Bizblog
Expedited title service begins Tuesday
EVERETT -- Anyone who needs to get their state-issued car or boat title in a hurry should soon be able to take care of business at the Snohomish County Auditor's Office in Everett.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Local News
Saving education from cuts comes at a cost
Next week when the governor signs the special session edition of the state budget, expect an outbreak of fist bumps by lawmakers pleased they repaired a major gash without further grafting from the financial hide of higher education.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Local News
Inslee a meticulous manager of campaign cash
OLYMPIA -- Three months after his first quest for governor came to an end in 1996, Jay Inslee began draining the $6,000 surplus in his campaign account by sending out a refund of $1,000 -- to himself.
Date: 04/25/2012 | Northwest
Wash. high court to hear executive privilege case
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire will have to defend her claims of "executive privilege," as the Washington Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case over her decisions to withhold certain documents from the public, which critics deride as government secrecy.
Date: 04/25/2012 | Northwest
2 Everett liquor outlets to close this week
EVERETT -- Two state liquor stores here are among 14 statewide that will close Thursday because of dwindling staffing during a transition to privatization, which commences June 1.
Date: 04/24/2012 | Bizblog
New report shows missing votes is bipartisan
Four Snohomish County lawmakers – two Republicans and two Democrats – are among those who missed the most votes in this year's regular and special sessions.
Date: 04/24/2012 | The Petri Dish
Gregoire signs $1B stimulus plan
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire has approved a $1 billion stimulus plan that seeks to get construction workers back on the job.
Date: 04/23/2012 | Northwest
Winning bids for 19 Snohomish County liquor stores
The Washington State Liquor Control Board on Monday announced the winning bidders for the rights to operate 167 state-run outlets, including 19 in Snohomish County. The auction, which raised $30.7...
Date: 04/23/2012 | Bizblog
State sells rights to liquor stores for $30.7 million
Kulbir Singh was in Seattle visiting friends in February when he heard the state might be privatizing the liquor sales it has tightly controlled since the end of Prohibition.
Date: 04/23/2012 | Business
Gregoire draws the line on Calif. wine
TACOMA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire is drawing the line on wine.Gregoire said Monday that no other state can compete with Washington's quality. She recalled a trade mission to Europe in which someone asked her about California wine. Her response was: "They make jug wine. We make fine wine."
Date: 04/23/2012 | Northwest
Another Republican enters race for Pearson's seat
Gregory Lemke of Arlington has become the fourth Republican candidate vying to succeed state Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe.
Date: 04/23/2012 | The Petri Dish
Gregoire to sign construction budget today
Gov. Chris Gregoire is heading to Tacoma Community College this afternoon to sign this year's supplemental capital budget.
Date: 04/23/2012 | The Petri Dish
Fewer students mean less state money for schools
OLYMPIA -- Washington state's public schools will get less money than anticipated from the state in the coming school year, but don't call it a budget cut.
Date: 04/22/2012 | Northwest
On the Record: a selection of government data
ConsultationsWho is being paid what by whom, and what they found out.
Date: 04/21/2012 | Need to Know
Sen. Val Stevens never wavered from her views
Val Stevens has left the Capitol.Well, almost.She's started bringing personal effects from her state Senate office to her Arlington home as she serves the final months of a 20-year legislative career.
Date: 04/19/2012 | Local News
On the Record: a selection of government data
Budget linesSpending gleaned from government consent agendas all over Snohomish County.City of Snohomish: $556 to McDaniel Do It Center for park equipment.City of Snohomish: $1,637 to Integra Telecom for cellphone services.
Date: 04/14/2012 | Need to Know
Tort claim filed in state Senate case
OLYMPIA -- A Senate Republican senior attorney is a step closer to filing a lawsuit against the state in response to what he says was a hostile work environment that got worse when a controversial senator was allowed back into the GOP caucus.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Northwest
Gregoire deems legislative session her most difficult
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire said Thursday the recently concluded legislative session was her most difficult, but she was happy with the bipartisan budget that lawmakers approved.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Northwest
Accident reports are public record, state justices rule
OLYMPIA -- Accident reports compiled by troopers and maintained in a state database should be treated as public records available by request, Washington's Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Northwest
Legislators wrap things up after lively year
They needed an extra 30 days and seven and a half hours but state lawmakers concluded their work for 2012 early Wednesday then headed home for rest, relaxation and, for some, a re-election campaign.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Local News
Lawmakers don't fund election to replace Inslee
OLYMPIA -- State election officials learned Wednesday they won't be getting an extra $1 million to cover the costs of a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee.Lawmakers did not include any money in the state budget they passed Wednesday before adjourning and heading home.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Local News
Why lawmakers took so long for a last-minute finish
No doubt a few punch-drunk and sleep-deprived lawmakers departed Olympia on Wednesday feeling a tad melancholic about not seeing their colleagues for a while.More than likely most of them left glad to get a break from one another for an extended period.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Local News
Inslee raises $550k, but now McKenna can fundraise
The Legislature's adjournment is good news for Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna's gubernatorial campaign coffers. McKenna now can start fundraising again and try to close the gap between him and Democratic candidate Jay Inslee in the race for the governor's office.
Date: 04/11/2012 | Northwest
Lawmakers spend one last night together before leaving Olympia
They needed an extra 30 days and seven-and-a-half hours but state lawmakers concluded their work for 2012 early Wednesday then headed home for rest, relaxation and,...
Date: 04/11/2012 | The Petri Dish
Legislature passes budget, adjourns overtime session
OLYMPIA -- The Washington state Legislature adjourned a double overtime session Wednesday after finalizing a budget deal that had lawmakers working throughout the night and into the morning.
Date: 04/11/2012 | Northwest
Lawmakers work all night after Gregoire calls another special session
As expected, Gov. Chris Gregoire called lawmakers back into special session this morning to pass a revised budget and reform bills aimed at stabilizing state finances in the years ahead.
Date: 04/11/2012 | The Petri Dish
Lawmakers may have budget deal at the buzzer
OLYMPIA -- Exhausted state lawmakers worked feverishly Tuesday night to pass a new state budget and a spate of government reforms before time expired on their special session.
Date: 04/10/2012 | Local News
State Senate approves penalties for early retirees
OLYMPIA -- Washington lawmakers on Tuesday agreed to reduce benefits for future state workers who take early retirement, making a pact that had eluded them for months and delayed final action on the state budget.
Date: 04/10/2012 | Northwest
Lawmakers reach agreement on capital budget
OLYMPIA -- With discussions over the operating budget and a handful of other bills ongoing, state lawmakers have reached a deal on the capital budget.
Date: 04/10/2012 | Northwest
Theft case begins against son of lieutenant governor
The son of Washington Lt. Gov. Brad Owen was due in a Thurston County courtroom today to face charges of theft and forgery stemming from his allegedly improper receipt of...
Date: 04/10/2012 | The Petri Dish
Signs of progress, but no firm budget deal
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and Democratic and Republican lawmakers negotiated for hours Monday in hopes of reaching agreement on a balanced budget and government reforms before time runs out in the special session.
Date: 04/09/2012 | Local News
Gregoire to present 'go-home' budget proposal
Gov. Chris Gregoire will meet with Democratic and Republican leaders of the Legislature at 12:30 p.m. today to present them with a "go-home" proposal she's drawn up.
Date: 04/09/2012 | The Petri Dish
Third Republican enters race for Pearson's seat
Robert Pilgrim, a detective with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, has joined an increasingly crowded field competing to succeed Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe.
Date: 04/09/2012 | The Petri Dish
Transit funding stays parked in special session
OLYMPIA -- With the special session in its final hours, it's clear cities, counties and bus agencies won't be getting a lifeline for new transportation funding they wanted from state lawmakers.
Date: 04/09/2012 | Local News
Political attention comes to parents opting out of tests
SNOHOMISH -- Lawmakers say they are listening to a group of a parents who are protesting funding cuts to education.
Date: 04/09/2012 | Local News
Senate OKs a four-year budget forecast requirement
OLYMPIA -- The Washington state Senate has passed a measure to require that the state's two-year budget be in line with anticipated revenue over a four-year period.
Date: 04/07/2012 | Northwest
Roll Call
House Bill 2127, Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2127, making supplemental operating appropriations for the 2011-13 biennium, passed 54-43 in the House on April 5.
Date: 04/07/2012 | Local News
On the Record: a selection of government data
Road tripsGovernment travel spending.
Date: 04/07/2012 | Need to Know
Three in Monroe will run to replace state Rep. Pearson
MONROE -- Three Monroe residents, including Mayor Robert Zimmerman, began campaigning this week to succeed state Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, this fall.
Date: 04/06/2012 | Local News
Monroe mayor joins race for Pearson's seat
Republican Robert Zimmerman, the mayor of Monroe since 2009, began campaigning this week to fill the seat of state Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, this fall.
Date: 04/05/2012 | The Petri Dish
Another special session may be needed to pass budget
OLYMPIA -- Will lawmakers need another special session to settle their differences?It sure looked that way Wednesday as Democratic and Republican lawmakers appeared to hit a wall in negotiating an agreement on erasing a budget deficit and making money-saving reforms.
Date: 04/04/2012 | Local News
Tea Party activist Elizabeth Scott to seek Pearson's seat
Elizabeth Scott of Monroe, a conservative Republican with political roots in the Tea Party movement, launched a campaign Tuesday to succeed state Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, in the 39th...
Date: 04/04/2012 | The Petri Dish
Mill Creek councilman challenging Rep. Hans Dunshee
MILL CREEK -- Republican Mark Harmsworth, a councilman for the city of Mill Creek, has begun a campaign to unseat incumbent state Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish.Harmsworth, who is in his second term on the City Council, formally announced his candidacy last week.
Date: 04/04/2012 | Local News
Sheriff's sergeant running for House seat vacated by Barbara Bailey
ISLAND COUNTY -- Dave Hayes, a sergeant in the Snohomish County Sheriff's Department and president of a statewide law enforcement organization, has launched a campaign to succeed state Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor.
Date: 04/04/2012 | Local News
House to put out new budget plan Wednesday
House Democratic leaders said this morning they intend to roll out a new budget proposal Wednesday morning and hold hearings on several reform bills in the afternoon.
Date: 04/03/2012 | The Petri Dish
Rob McKenna leaps into fray over state budget
OLYMPIA -- As a budget deal continued to elude lawmakers Monday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna jumped into the fray with his ideas on how to reach agreement in the special session and who is to blame for the continuing impasse.
Date: 04/03/2012 | Local News
Police officer to seek Bailey's seat
Dave Hayes, a sergeant in the Snohomish County Sheriff's Department and president of a statewide law enforcement organization, has launched a campaign to succeed state Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor.
Date: 04/02/2012 | The Petri Dish
Gregoire signs political advertising bill into law
OLYMPIA -- Political advertisements for and against ballot initiatives will have to name the top five donors to the political committee putting out the ad thanks to a bill signed into law Friday by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Northwest
State GOP Senate leader has tumor in abdomen
OLYMPIA -- The top Republican in the state Senate will undergo surgery to remove a tumor in his abdomen, saying in a statement Friday that he is optimistic the procedure will be a success.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Northwest
Gov. Gregoire says budget negotiations are 'tenuous'
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire said Friday that she's in the process of finishing a compromise proposal for lawmakers to consider as part of their budget negotiation, and says that while talks are improving, they are "tenuous."
Date: 03/30/2012 | Northwest
State goes back to the future on film incentives
OLYMPIA -- Washington state is going back to the future, reviving its tax incentive program for movie production.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Northwest
Removal of Mill Pond Dam approved
SPOKANE -- The state has given approval to remove a defunct dam in northeastern Washington, an action that will restore Sullivan Creek to a pristine state.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Northwest
Val Stevens to retire after 20 years in Legislature
Republican state Sen. Val Stevens of Arlington, one of the Legislature's most steadfast conservatives who worked tirelessly on improving the state's child welfare system, said Thursday she will not seek re-election this...
Date: 03/29/2012 | Local News
Gregoire signs bill insisting sex ad sellers check ID
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill into law Thursday that goes after classified advertising companies that don't demand ID to verify the age of people in sex-related ads published in print or online.
Date: 03/29/2012 | Northwest
County gets glowing audit despite records in 'disarray'
State auditors held an exit conference with Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon's staff Thursday morning and what they had to say was, by and large, positive.At times, the feedback sounded positively glowing.
Date: 03/29/2012 | Need to Know
Stevens to retire, Pearson to seek her Senate seat
Republican state Sen. Val Stevens of Arlington will not seek re-election and Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, said today he will run for the seat.
Date: 03/29/2012 | The Petri Dish
Governor plans marathon session of bill signing
Gov. Chris Gregoire intends to spend several hours Thursday signing bills into law.
Date: 03/28/2012 | The Petri Dish
State officials track Columbia River sewage spills
SPOKANE -- The Washington state Department of Ecology is tracking two sewage spills into the Columbia River.
Date: 03/27/2012 | Northwest
'Duty to develop' bill raises concerns in Alaska
JUNEAU, Alaska — A bill intended to get more oil in the trans-Alaska pipeline would instead have a chilling effect on leasing and “kill development,” the executive director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association said.
Date: 03/27/2012 | Northwest
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