Washington Political News
States scramble after high court election ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court's rejection of decades-old campaign spending limits gives states scant time to face an election-year dilemma: brace for a flood of new money in politics, or find new ways to rein it in.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:57PM | nwsource.com
Gregoire plans for 7-day special session
The Washington Legislature adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Thursday after a grueling 60-day regular session, but its hardest work might lie ahead in an overtime period.
Friday March 12, 2010 2:09PM | feedburner.com
Olympia: State Parks director Rex Derr to retire
| State Parks director Rex Derr plans to retire Nov. 30, according to a news release from the agency.
Friday March 12, 2010 1:54PM | thenewstribune.com
Gregoire plans for 7-day legislative special session
| The Washington Legislature adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Thursday after a grueling 60-day regular session, but its hardest work might lie ahead in an overtime period.
Friday March 12, 2010 1:49PM | thenewstribune.com
Lawmakers toughen cellphone-driving law
The Legislature has approved a measure that makes it easier for police to ticket people who are driving while texting or talking on a cellphone without a headset.
Friday March 12, 2010 7:22AM | nwsource.com
State Senate OKs schools to raise more levy money
Cash-strapped school districts would be allowed to ask voters for additional money through local property taxes under a measure passed by the Washington state Legislature on Thursday.
Friday March 12, 2010 7:05AM | feedburner.com
Gov. Chris Gregoire calls special session
Gov. Chris Gregoire is calling a special session so that lawmakers can finish their work on patching a $2.8 billion budget hole.
Friday March 12, 2010 7:02AM | nwsource.com
New 520 bridge won't solve I-5 merge mess
The planned Highway 520 bridge design guides commuters in buses and carpools from the bridge's HOV lanes right onto the Interstate 5 express lanes — but only in one direction. Commuters in most directions can still expect bottlenecks.
Friday March 12, 2010 7:01AM | nwsource.com
Legislature OKs schools raise more through levies
Cash-strapped school districts would be allowed to ask voters for additional money through local property taxes under a measure passed by the Washington state Legislature on Thursday.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:52AM | nwsource.com
Major employers to shift more health-care costs to workers, survey shows
Most major employers plan to shift more health-care costs to their workers next year, according to a survey released Thursday. Many say they may...
Friday March 12, 2010 6:17AM | nwsource.com
Bill would let more professionals OK use of medical pot
The bill allowing patients to get medical-marijuana authorizations from a wider range of health-care professionals came a step closer to becoming law as it passed in the Legislature on Thursday.
Friday March 12, 2010 4:22AM | nwsource.com
WA Legislature toughens cell phone driving law
The Washington state Legislature has approved a measure that makes it easier for police to ticket people who are driving while either texting or talking on a cell phone without a headset.
Friday March 12, 2010 4:04AM | nwsource.com
Reid's wife, daughter injured in highway accident
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's wife was hospitalized with a broken back and neck Thursday after a tractor-trailer truck slammed into the back of the minivan in which she and their daughter were riding on an interstate highway in suburban Virginia, officials said.
Friday March 12, 2010 3:54AM | nwsource.com
Legislature prepares for adjournment, overtime
As the clock runs out on the Legislature's 60-day session, lawmakers will adjourn, but they may not be going far.
Friday March 12, 2010 2:12AM | feedburner.com
Mike McGinn: "Everything's on the table here"
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn warned of mid-year cuts, utility-rate increases and city staff layoffs in a budget update Thursday afternoon.
Friday March 12, 2010 1:40AM | nwsource.com
Obama says he's committed to immigration overhaul
President Barack Obama on Thursday assured immigration advocates frustrated by the wait for a promised overhaul of U.S. immigration laws that he remains committed to fixing a system he has said is broken. What remains unclear is whether Congress will send him a bill this year.
Friday March 12, 2010 1:33AM | nwsource.com
Pair to head investigation of Sen. Stevens prosecution
The troubled Justice Department unit that investigates corruption of public officials is getting new leadership amid a criminal probe into how it handled evidence in the prosecution of Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.
Thursday March 11, 2010 10:16PM | nwsource.com
GOP gets big help race for Patrick Kennedy seat
The Republican candidate running to replace Rep. Patrick Kennedy in Congress says he's getting help in his bid from several former GOP presidential candidates.
Thursday March 11, 2010 10:15PM | nwsource.com
Tunnel security getting beefed up
Sound Transit's private security squad will expand its territory into the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, as part of King County Metro's attempt to reassure riders the five downtown stations are safe.
Thursday March 11, 2010 8:29PM | nwsource.com
Seattle boy convenes Senate leadership on health reform
Thursday March 11, 2010 8:08PM | nwsource.com
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