State politics
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
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
GOP Sen. Pflug won't return after accepting hearings board post
Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley, will not be seeking re-election after accepting a new job today with the Washington Growth Management Hearings Board.
Date: 05/21/2012 | The Petri Dish
Sullivan won't drop out of special election
Democratic Snohomish County Councilman Brian Sullivan said today he's not giving up on his dream to serve in Congress.
Date: 05/21/2012 | The Petri Dish
Sen. Chase's daughter to run in special election
Carin Chase, chairwoman of the 32nd Legislative District Democrats and daughter of state Sen. Maralyn Chase, said today she wants to be the person elected to serve the final month of U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee's term.
Date: 05/15/2012 | The Petri Dish
Filing begins, including 2 races for same seat
The political season heats up this week, as candidates file for local, state and federal offices.
Date: 05/14/2012 | Local News
One month in Congress will pay $15,000
Whoever wins this year's special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee can count on a nice salary and decent benefits for a month's work in arguably the world's most powerful political institution.
Date: 04/29/2012 | Local News
Front Porch: Sky Valley Food Bank needs help
Food bank needs helpDonations are down and shelves are looking bare at Sky Valley Food Bank, which feeds almost 4,500 people a month, nearly half of them children.In summer, children are out of school with no free or reduced lunches. No donation is too small.
Date: 04/25/2012 | Local News
How gay marriage fared in elections elsewhere
In February, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a law allowing gay and lesbian couples in Washington to marry. It will take effect June 7 unless, as expected, opponents get enough signatures to put the law before voters in November -- with the hope voters will reject it. If opponents qualify
Date: 04/22/2012 | 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
Democratic Party caucuses Sunday lack drama
Four years ago, Democrats flocked in record numbers to party caucuses to take sides in the pitched battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the party's presidential nominee.
Date: 04/13/2012 | 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
Work continues toward state budget deal
OLYMPIA -- Lawmakers continue to move toward agreement on a supplemental budget, but are still split over differences on a variety of bills.
Date: 04/06/2012 | Northwest
Tempers short at Capitol as deadline nears
OLYMPIA -- Tempers at the Capitol are flaring as lawmakers continue to struggle to reach a deal on the supplemental budget in advance of Tuesday's end of the 30-day special legislative session.
Date: 04/06/2012 | Northwest
House passes budget; negotiations move along
OLYMPIA -- The Washington state House passed a spending plan Thursday as budget negotiations between House Democrats and Senate Republicans continue.
Date: 04/05/2012 | Northwest
State senator on disability wants to cut benefits for others
OLYMPIA -- A Washington lawmaker has been drawing thousands of dollars in disability payments each year while leading efforts to eliminate benefits the state provides to others.
Date: 04/05/2012 | Northwest
Don't tell state GOP delegates race is over
Republican presidential candidates are not done fighting for delegates in Washington state.Far from it.And if what happened at Snohomish High School on Saturday is any indication, next month's state Republican Party confab in Tacoma may be a real humdinger.
Date: 04/05/2012 | Local News
State GOP staffer wants $1.75 million settlement
OLYMPIA -- A Senate Republican senior attorney is seeking a $1.75 million settlement from the state, saying a hostile work environment has been created by allowing a controversial senator back into the GOP caucus and restoring her access to staff in exchange for a vital budget vote.
Date: 04/04/2012 | Northwest
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
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
McKenna's 15-minute plan to balance the budget
Rob McKenna, the Republican Party's leading man in the contest to be Washington's next governor, is stealing the media limelight again.
Date: 04/02/2012 | The Petri Dish
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
Inslee changes mind, agrees to AWB debate
The Association of Washington Business will have its gubernatorial debate after all.Two days after Democratic candidate Jay Inslee said he would not take part in an AWB-sponsored debate in June, the former congressman reversed course and said he will participate.
Date: 03/28/2012 | The Petri Dish
Rep. Bailey to challenge Sen. Haugen for seat
By Jerry CornfieldHerald WriterOAK HARBOR -- Republican state Rep. Barbara Bailey began campaigning Monday to unseat Democratic state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen in a contest that could decide the political control of the Senate.
Date: 03/27/2012 | Local News
Bailey will challenge Haugen for Senate seat
Republican state Rep. Barbara Bailey of Oak Harbor today launched a campaign to unseat Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island this fall
Date: 03/26/2012 | The Petri Dish
Former U.N. ambassador to speak at GOP event
Island County Republicans are coming to Comcast Arena in Everett next month to raise money and they are bringing a big political name with them to help.
Date: 03/26/2012 | Local News
Court upholds initiative privatizing liquor sales
LONGVIEW -- A Cowlitz County judge on Monday ruled that a voter-approved initiative privatizing liquor sales in Washington is constitutional, reversing an earlier decision that had left the measure's fate in question.
Date: 03/19/2012 | Business
Inslee exit may make it possible to serve in Congress for a month
The pending resignation of U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee from Congress is causing an unanticipated headache for state election...
Date: 03/15/2012 | The Petri Dish
Senate budget writers agree: No education cuts
OLYMPIA -- Top budget writers in the Senate are now in agreement that the state's spending can be balanced without cutting education, as a Republican-led coalition touted its vision Thursday to overhaul pension rules.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Northwest
Same-sex marriage petitions active
Those wanting to repeal the state's new same-sex marriage law can start signing petitions today in hopes of putting the question before voters in November.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Local News
The other candidate
Snohomish's Shahram Hadian is running for governor
Date: 03/15/2012 | Local News
Businessman making run against McAuliffe
Guy Palumbo, the owner of Roscoe's Ranch boarding facility for dogs, is off to a quick start in fund raising for his campaign to unseat state Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell.
Date: 03/13/2012 | The Petri Dish
The Cappy Awards: 60 days of making law
The 2012 session of the Legislature officially ends at midnight.
Date: 03/08/2012 | Local News
Political battleground
Diverse new 1st District may be America's most evenly split
Date: 03/04/2012 | Local News
Washington's new 1st congressional district
Beginning with the 2012 congressional election, Washington gets a 10th member of the House of Representatives, and the boundaries of the existing nine districts have been redrawn -- in some cases radically changing their geopolitics. One of the more interesting examples is the new 1st District, the...
Date: 03/04/2012 | Need to Know
How to join in today's caucus
Republicans, are you ready to caucus today?You've decided who to support but are not sure when or where to show it?Here's what you need to know.
Date: 03/03/2012 | Local News
Rob McKenna to attend Romney fundraiser
OLYMPIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna is attending a fundraiser for presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Date: 03/01/2012 | Northwest
Appeals court: State can cut food program
SEATTLE -- Thousands of poor immigrant families in Washington could soon face cuts in the food aid they receive, after a federal appeals court cleared the way Wednesday for lawmakers to reduce or eliminate the program.
Date: 02/29/2012 | Northwest
Ron Paul making push in Washington with TV ads and rallies
Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Paul is showing no signs of ending his bid for president. Instead, he's out to win Washington's Republican caucuses this Saturday.
Date: 02/29/2012 | The Petri Dish
State's GOP caucuses getting attention from candidates
OLYMPIA -- Republicans are preparing for caucuses this week that really matter to the four men battling to be the party's presidential nominee.
Date: 02/26/2012 | Local News
Nickels enters race for Secretary of State
Former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is no longer exploring a run for Secretary of State.He's in the race.
Date: 02/23/2012 | The Petri Dish
Inslee draws even with McKenna in new poll
A new survey released today shows the race for governor in Washington is as tight as expected.Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna are knotted at 42 percent apiece in the phone survey of 1,264 voters from Feb. 16-19 by the Public Policy Polling. The margin of
Date: 02/22/2012 | The Petri Dish
Rally for revenue today and a House budget proposal tomorrow
Today is the 43rd day of the 2012 Legislative session and it promises to be a loud one at the Capitol.
Date: 02/20/2012 | The Petri Dish
State seeks guidance on 2012 political maps
OLYMPIA -- Washington election officials are asking the state Supreme Court to approve redistricting boundaries for this year, even as justices weigh a larger challenge to the new maps.
Date: 02/15/2012 | Northwest
McKenna returns $14K from foreclosure trustee firm
OLYMPIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate and state Attorney General Rob McKenna has returned nearly $14,000 in donations from people tied to a firm that helps mediate foreclosures.
Date: 02/15/2012 | Northwest
Labor groups to host forum in Everett for 1st Congressional District candidates
Union members are going to get a chance next month in Everett to quiz candidates vying for the 1st Congressional...
Date: 02/15/2012 | The Petri Dish
Inslee releases economic plan
Democrat Jay Inslee today revealed how he'd boost the state's economy if he is elected governor.
Date: 02/06/2012 | The Petri Dish
Shin discusses vote against same-sex marriage
For weeks, Democratic state Sen. Paull Shin of Edmonds kept silent about how he might vote on the bill legalizing marriage for same-sex couples.
Date: 02/03/2012 | The Petri Dish
Republicans propose stand-alone education budget
OLYMPIA -- Washington state House Republicans are releasing a proposed education budget they say would preserve the 180-day school year while cutting programs to combat bullying and enforce civil rights.
Date: 02/02/2012 | Northwest
Same sex marriage vote - the reactions
Below is a sample of the statements issued tonight before, during and after the debate. Gov. Chris Gregoire, who watched the proceedings in the wings on the Democratic side:
Date: 02/01/2012 | The Petri Dish
Legislature approves redistricting plan
OLYMPIA -- Washington's Legislature has approved the state's redistricting plan.
Date: 02/01/2012 | Northwest
Senate plans dinnertime debate on same-sex marriage bill
State senators are planning to meet at 6 p.m. to debate and vote on a bill to legalize marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
Date: 02/01/2012 | The Petri Dish
Same-sex marriage bill in line for Senate vote
As expected, the state Senate Rules Committee agreed today to send a bill legalizing same-sex marriage to the floor for a vote as early as Wednesday.
Date: 01/31/2012 | The Petri Dish
GOP field clears for Koster in congressional race
Republican Snohomish County Councilman John Koster woke up this morning as the only GOP candidate vying for the 1st Congressional District seat.That's because Kirkland Republican James Watkins quit the race Friday and threw his support to Koster.
Date: 01/28/2012 | The Petri Dish
McKenna reaffirms stance against same-sex marriage
OLYMPIA -- As a bill to legalize gay marriage edged closer to becoming law Thursday, the front-running Republican candidate for governor is making clear he'll vote against it if given the chance this fall.
Date: 01/27/2012 | Local News
Republicans decry state budget delay
OLYMPIA -- Republican lawmakers Wednesday decried what they say is slow action on progress to close a $1 billion budget gap.
Date: 01/25/2012 | Northwest
Small-business advocates to lobby Olympia lawmakers next week
The National Federation of Independent Business, the Association of Washington Business and the Washington Policy Center have scheduled a news conference next week in Olympia to announce ways state lawmakers "can improve Washington's small business climate and spur economic recovery in the state."
Date: 01/20/2012 | Bizblog
Kastama signals support for gay marriage bill
Twenty-four down, one to go.State Sen. Jim Kastama, a conservative Democrat from Puyallup, announced today he will support a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry, leaving supporters one vote shy of a majority in the state Senate.But it wasn't easy for him.
Date: 01/19/2012 | The Petri Dish
30 chambers of commerce take their agenda to Olympia
The state's chambers of commerce, including Economic Alliance Snohomish County, issued a news release today urging state lawmakers in Olympia to raise taxes only after they "reduce spending to the greatest extent possible" and "focus on job creation, education and transportation."
Date: 01/19/2012 | Bizblog
Kastama to reveal how he'll vote on gay marriage bill
In the state Senate, there will be one less uncommitted vote on gay marriage Thursday.State Sen. Jim Kastama, a conservative Democrat from Puyallup, is calling a news conference at noon to announce how he will vote on legislation to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.
Date: 01/18/2012 | The Petri Dish
Eyman aims to stop automated traffic enforcement
Tim Eyman versus the red-light camera companies.
Date: 01/18/2012 | Need to Know
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen defends traffic camera law she helped pass
OLYMPIA -- Seven years ago, Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island pushed for a bill that paved the way for use of red-light cameras in Washington.
Date: 01/17/2012 | Local News
Know and contact your 2012 Washington lawmakers
Here are local legislators and their Olympia office phone numbers and email addresses. Messages for lawmakers can also be left with the Legislative Hotline at 800-562-6000 during the 2012 session, which begins in Olympia on Monday. The hotline allows callers to track the progress of bills and learn...
Date: 01/07/2012 | Need to Know
Poll finds voters unlikely to repeal a same-sex marriage law
The Washington Poll today released more details of an October survey that show voters may not be willing to repeal a law legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
Date: 01/06/2012 | The Petri Dish
Fight on legalizing same-sex marriage ramping up
Gov. Chris Gregoire today threw her full support behind efforts to allow gay couples to marry in Washington, ending years of opposing such a move.
Date: 01/04/2012 | The Petri Dish
Redistricting panel struggles in final days
OLYMPIA -- Washington's redistricting commission made little progress Friday in its quest to redraw the state's legislative districts, leaving just two days to finish the work after months of negotiations.
Date: 12/30/2011 | Northwest
New Spokane mayor sworn in
SPOKANE -- David Condon has been sworn in as the new mayor of Spokane, the state's second largest city.Condon was sworn in Friday morning in Riverfront Park. He replaces Mary Verner, who became the city's 10th consecutive one-term mayor.
Date: 12/30/2011 | Northwest
Redistricting sets up political battleground in Snohomish County
OLYMPIA – Washington's new congressional district will encompass the state capital and redraw a district southeast of Seattle where ethnic minorities will make up the majority.
Date: 12/28/2011 | Local News
State business leaders open to sales tax increase
OLYMPIA -- Washington business leaders that opposed an income tax proposal last year are signaling they are prepared to embrace Gov. Chris Gregoire's new revenue plan.
Date: 12/23/2011 | Northwest
Redistricting panel strains for late compromise
OLYMPIA -- Panelists tasked with redrawing Washington's political districts said Thursday they still do not have compromise plans as they approached the final week of their work.
Date: 12/22/2011 | Northwest
State's political map redrawn
OLYMPIA -- Lynnwood gets moved and one incumbent state lawmaker gets bounced in a redrawing of Snohomish County's political map released Friday by the state redistricting commission.
Date: 12/17/2011 | Local News
Olympia leaders considering overhaul of initiative process
OLYMPIA -- Political leaders in Olympia are considering an overhaul of the state's popular initiative system, saying Thursday that voters need to be responsible for identifying the money that will pay for the policies they approve.
Date: 12/15/2011 | Northwest
Gregoire looking at privatizing state lottery
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire said Thursday she is exploring whether to privatize the state's lottery and highlighted other ways that the government is outsourcing duties.
Date: 12/15/2011 | Northwest
Time being spent on state lawmakers’ pet projects
OLYMPIA -- Summoned into special session to fix a big budget problem, some state lawmakers also are using the time to advance other causes on their political agendas.
Date: 12/10/2011 | Local News
PDC: Dismiss complaint against conservative group
SEATTLE -- The investigative arm of the Public Disclosure Commission has recommended that a complaint of illegal elections tactics filed against a conservative political group be dismissed.
Date: 12/02/2011 | Northwest
In budget crisis, Wash. lawmakers take their time
OLYMPIA -- Despite a budget crisis and a governor anxious for action, state lawmakers returned to Olympia this week with no signs that the emergency is translating into urgency.
Date: 12/02/2011 | Northwest
Gregoire wants to ask voters for half-cent sales tax increase
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday proposed asking voters to temporarily increase the sales tax by a half-cent to help balance the state budget and avoid cuts that would shorten the school year, reduce services for the disabled and let hundreds of convicted criminals out of prison...
Date: 11/21/2011 | Local News
State’s redistricting committee says new congressional, legislative maps will meet Jan. 1 deadline
OLYMPIA -- The people drawing new political boundaries for the state aren't going to meet their self-imposed goal of finishing in November.
Date: 11/21/2011 | Local News
Rob McKenna: Cut number of state workers
SEATTLE -- Attorney General Rob McKenna says private companies should be able to bid to provide more government services, the number of state workers should be reduced and employees should pay more for health insurance premiums.
Date: 11/08/2011 | Northwest
Souoth Carolina's new voter ID law could hit GOP seniors
BLUFFTON, S.C. -- South Carolina's new voter ID law could affect an unlikely group: older white voters who have higher incomes, are reliably Republican and live in retirement homes and gated golf communities along the state's southern coast, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.
Date: 11/07/2011 | Nation & World
No city, county revenue at stake in liquor vote
OLYMPIA – A year ago elected officials throughout Snohomish County worried aloud about a Costco-inspired liquor privatization measure shorting city and county budgets of millions of dollars in revenue.Their silence this year on the company's Initiative 1183 is audible.
Date: 10/24/2011 | Local News
Aaron Reardon says he has no plans to run for governor or Congress
EVERETT -- Rumors that Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon could soon launch a bid for governor or Congress have percolated throughout his ongoing reelection campaign.The rumors aren't true, according to Reardon and Democratic Party leaders.
Date: 10/19/2011 | Local News
Judge says names can be released from petition seeking vote on gay rights
OLYMPIA – It's no longer a secret who signed petitions putting a controversial expansion of the state's gay rights laws up for a vote in 2009.
Date: 10/17/2011 | Local News
I-1183 the second attempt to shift liquor sales to Costco, other private retailers
OLYMPIA -- Is this the year the state gets out the liquor sales business for good?Costco is investing millions of dollars to hasten the government's exit while a phalanx of beer, wine and liquor distributors is spending nearly as much to keep it in.
Date: 10/16/2011 | Local News
Redistricting: a puzzle with 195,000 pieces
Washington began statehood in 1889 with a single seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Date: 10/02/2011 | Need to Know
Report: GOP state senator to challenge Cantwell
SEATTLE -- A junior Republican state senator from Spokane is set to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, challenging Democrat incumbent Maria Cantwell.
Date: 09/30/2011 | Northwest
$2 billion hole will mean ‘brutal’ decisions for special session
OLYMPIA -- State lawmakers are in for a brutal special session this holiday season as they debate cuts to schools, social services and health care to close another multibillion-dollar budget shortfall.
Date: 09/22/2011 | Local News
Hole in state budget as bad as expected: $1.2 billion
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and state lawmakers got the bad economic news they've been expecting Thursday: tax collections will drop a whopping $1.4 billion and leave a gaping hole in the state budget.
Date: 09/15/2011 | Local News
5 things to watch as state’s political lines are redrawn
Tuesday is a big day for Washington's political class.That's when the four not-so-ordinary citizens serving on the state's Redistricting Commission will divulge how they want to redraw all the lines on Washington's political map.
Date: 09/11/2011 | Local News
Governor says state must brace for another $1.5 billion shortfall in revenue
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire said Friday she's bracing for really bad news in next week's revenue forecast and is telling legislators a special session might be in the offing.
Date: 09/09/2011 | Local News
Drawing lines in a fuzzy process
OLYMPIA -- The four members of the state redistricting commission are just days from revealing their ideas for carrying out the once-a-decade makeover of Washington's political map.
Date: 09/05/2011 | Local News
State to spend $750,000 to lobby Congress on transportation funding
OLYMPIA -- While bracing for a new round of budget cuts, the Department of Transportation plans to keep a lobbyist working the halls of Congress in search of federal funds.
Date: 08/15/2011 | Local News
3,200 exemptions thawed state’s attempt at a spending freeze
OLYMPIA -- Edmonds Community College trustees wanted to hire their new president.Gov. Chris Gregoire wanted to travel to China on a trade mission last year.
Date: 08/02/2011 | Local News
New state laws on tap today
One liberalizes sale of beer keg-filled 'growlers'
Date: 07/22/2011 | Local News
Judge blocks limit on recall contributions
SEATTLE -- A federal judge in Tacoma is blocking Washington state from enforcing campaign finance laws with respect to an effort to recall the Pierce County assessor.
Date: 07/15/2011 | Northwest
Candidate for elections chief eyes smaller staff
OLYMPIA -- A Republican candidate to be Washington's next secretary of state says the office will have to consider shrinking its staff.
Date: 06/30/2011 | Northwest
Secretary of State Reed won't seek re-election
OLYMPIA -- Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed, who oversaw ballot counting in the historic 2004 contest for governor, then pushed through unprecedented reforms in the aftermath, said Tuesday he will not seek re-election next year.
Date: 06/28/2011 | Local News
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