This Washington

KC Executive: Legislature "Failed" On Transit

King County Executive Dow Constantine says the legislature has "failed," once again, to give transit agencies access to a sustainable funding source. Image by zheistand on Flickr.

04/11/2012 By Erica C. Barnett

This Washington

ST Board Member Phillips: Transit Agency Should Have Run Pro-Union Ad

King County Council member Larry Phillips, who sits on the Sound Transit board, writes a letter objecting to the transit agency's decision not to run an ad pushing unionization at SeaTac airport.

04/10/2012 By Erica C. Barnett

This Washington

Transit Bill Looks Dead in Final Days of Special Session

A bill to help forestall even more transit cuts looks dead. Image via Community Transit.

04/10/2012 By Erica C. Barnett

This Washington

Amendment to Tobacco Tax Bill Would Undo Smoking Ban for Cigar Bars

Failed cigar bar bill revived at last minute.

04/09/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

DUI Law Costs State Nearly $12 Million a Year

Recent DUI legislation is out of compliance with federal law, costing the state a penalty of between $11 million and $12 million a year.

04/06/2012 By Erica C. Barnett

This Washington

New Elway Poll: Anti-Tax Sentiment Down Slightly

New Elway Poll finds voters easing up slightly on anti-tax sentiment, but not happy with government.

04/05/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Sen. Kohl-Welles: "I Think We Came Up With the Best Language We Could" On Backpage Law

State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles says that although a bill to prevent child sex trafficking on web sites like Backpage isn't perfect, it's "the best language we could" have agreed to.

04/04/2012 By Erica C. Barnett

This Washington

Another Jolt: Chopp Slugs McKenna

As Chopp said, Democrats introduce a batch of reform bills.

04/03/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Sen. Keiser Wants to Use Tobacco Settlement Money to Fund Health Care

State Sen. Karen Keiser recommends using $200 million in tobacco settlement money to fund the the Disability Lifelline—and solve the budget impasse in Olympia.

03/29/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Illegal Fundraising? Democrats Could be Guilty Too.

Democrats also have money pitches online during legislative fundraising freeze.

03/28/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Sen. Tom with Republicans Again, This Time as Subject of a Campaign Finance Complaint

A complaint (complete with time-stamped screen shots) alleges legislators are violating special session rule against fundraising.

03/27/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Burner: Obama is a Republican

THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH QUOTES FROM DARCY BURNER A series of 2011 Darcy Burner tweets trash President Obama.

03/27/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Inslee Does Not Support Marijuana Initiative

The Inslee campaign is banking on liberal turnout in November thanks to the marijuana legalization initiative, I-502, but Inslee is against the measure.

03/23/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Judging the Candidates (and the Democratic Party) by Their Questionnaires

Darcy Burner and education reform jump off the page of KC Democrats' questionnaires.

03/22/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

State to Appeal Emergency Contraception Ruling

Dept. of Health says pharmacy board rules ensure timely access to medication.

03/21/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Does McKenna's Platform Contradict GOP Budget Proposal?

McKenna platform says skipping a pension payment is irresponsible.

03/21/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

A Woman's Place is In the Legislature

As concern for women's basic rights grows at the state and federal levels, a wave of female legislators prepare to retire. Image via Washington State Budget and Policy Center.

03/21/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

Former TCC Director Running in 46th

Former TCC director Jessyn Farrell jumps in to the race for an open state house seat in the 46th.

03/16/2012 By Erica C. Barnett

This Washington

Zarelli Budget Proposal Keeps Unpopular Bank Loophole Intact

The governor, the house Democrats and Republicans, and the senate Democrats all recommended scrapping the $20 million bank loophole. Not Sen. Zarelli.

03/15/2012 By Josh Feit

This Washington

New Budget Proposal Doesn't Cut Education, Adds Charter School Legislation

THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH MORE BUDGET NUMBERS AND QUOTES. Republican budget leader unveils compromise budget.

03/15/2012 By Josh Feit