Residents of Camano and Whidbey islands may get a phone call tonight from Rep. Barbara Bailey. The Oak Harbor Republican is conducting a town hall meeting by telephone to hear concerns from residents about what the Legislature has and will be doing in its 2010 session. via www.heraldnet.com
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By Ted Van Dyk at Crosscut Suddenly, the agenda has changed. Focus has shifted from discussion about stalled health-care and cap-and-trade legislation to fundamental issues about the country's — and, for that matter, other countries' — longterm economic and financial stability. We have not had this discussion since the 1930s, when independent commissions' recommendations...
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District court judges oppose the measure. "To remove tickets from the courts and put them in the Department of Transportation will result in taking people's rights to their day in court away and that is a very a fundamental right people have and it isn't fair," said King County District Court Judge Barbara Linde....
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by Rep. Norma Smith As the third week of the 2010 Legislative Session comes to an end, I’ve already heard from hundreds of constituents on a wide range of issues. While you and I may not agree on everything, I assure you I do listen to and value your thoughts and concerns, and am...
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By Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen The 2010 legislative session has begun — and then some. Of course, sessions are always busy, and the short sessions we have in even-numbered years are even busier because we try to get so much done in a shorter time. But let me tell you, this year is off...
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By Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen We received great news today when President Obama awarded our state $590 million for high-speed rail passenger service. This grant means up to 6,500 jobs in shovel-ready projects right when we need those jobs the most.
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Some child care workers in Washington state could get collective bargaining rights under a bill passed by the House. The bill passed on a 62-35 vote Wednesday and is now headed to the Senate. The same measure passed the House last year, but died after the House would not agree to changes made in...
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In a closely watched test of Northwest voter sentiment on taxes, Oregon decided yesterday to raise taxes on the wealthy to stave off more cuts to government services. via seattletimes.nwsource.com
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In a year that offers legislators and taxpayers a host of challenges, and when current tax revenue cannot pay for services promised to citizens, Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, was disappointed a bill to increase the state’s debt load by $861 million passed the House. via houserepublicans.wa.gov
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The cameras that nab red-light runners around the state could become less profitable under legislation now being considered in Olympia. State Rep. Chris Hurst, D-Enumclaw, has sponsored a bill that would cap fines at $25 and require yellow lights to last at least four seconds at intersections where the cameras are used. A Senate...
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