government

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5 things to watch heading into special session

Washington lawmakers have adjourned their 105-day legislative session, but only get a two-week reprieve before they return to Olympia for a special session to finish their work on the state budget.
Budget writers in the House and Senate will continue their negotiations in the coming days…

2013-04-30
Guest: Blind alleys in the state budget on college tuition

LAWMAKERS face the daunting task of equipping public universities to meet Washington’s demand for college graduates. But several fundamental misperceptions, particularly about tuition, are sending Republican and Democratic budget writers down blind alleys.


2013-04-30
With no budget pact, special session next for Legislature

State lawmakers wrapped up their regular session Sunday evening then learned they are due back May 13 for what promises to be a grueling special session to end lingering disputes on spending, taxes and a batch of social policies.

2013-04-29
Duration of special session is anyone's guess

No one walking the halls of Olympia is surprised Washington's 147 lawmakers and governor will need a special session to finish their work.

When it will begin and how long it will run is anyone's guess.

2013-04-25
House Democrats trim their education improvements

Washington House Democrats have trimmed their education improvements budget from almost $1.34 billion to $1.16 billion.

That is in contrast the Republican-oriented Senate's $1 billion education fix-it proposal going into budget talks to begin later this week…

2013-04-25
Prospect Of Washington Special Session Looms

It appears more likely Washington lawmakers will go into an overtime session. The regular 105-day session ends this Sunday. But the House and Senate, along with the governor, still have to agree on a two-year budget deal. Even if a deal was at hand -- and it doesn’t appear one is -- they’d be…

2013-04-23
Internet sales tax bill could boost state budget by $184 million

After years of talk, Congress is moving toward possibly ending a loophole that has prevented states from collecting sales taxes on many Internet purchases.

The U.S. Senate could vote this week to approve the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would end the longstanding tax advantage enjoyed…

2013-04-23
Washington state budget negotiations next as House passes its plan

The state House on Friday approved a budget that assumes $1.3 billion in new revenue to put more money into the state's education system, while also patching a projected deficit for the next two-year budget.

The budget passed on a 54-43 mostly party line vote Friday night, a week…

2013-04-15
House Democrats push home their budget proposal

A $34.5 billion proposed budget passed through the Washington House Friday with little fuss.

The vote was 54-43 along party lines, with Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, being the only person to cross the aisle. House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, was…

2013-04-15
Washington's budget: How do we get to shared realism from here?

This week, we enter the behind-the-scenes negotiations phase of the Washington legislative session.

Both the House and Senate have submitted proposed budgets for the next two years. Now, everyone sits and waits while House and Senate leaders do their thing behind…

2013-04-15
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