Category Archives: Associated Press
House unveils $3.13B capital-budget proposal
Nearly half of the construction budget is paid for by bonds. The proposal includes $718.5 million in construction assistance grants for schools, something capital budget chair Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, is excited about because it means following through for all … Continue reading
Posted in Associated Press, The Seattle Times
Tagged Budget, Politics, WA 2011 Legislature
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Cougar-hunting bill still faces opposition
A bill to extend a pilot program allowing the use of hounds to hunt cougars is facing stiffer opposition than when it passed through its original committee; Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, has raised concerns over the validity of the Department … Continue reading
Posted in Associated Press, The Seattle Times
Tagged Fish & Wildlife, Politics, WA 2011 Legislature
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Senate transportation budget nearly $9 billion
A day after the House unveiled its transportation budget for the 2011-2013 biennium, the Senate released its version: It’s almost identical to the House’s proposal, but assumes the passage of a bill imposing a $100 car tab fee on electric … Continue reading
Posted in Associated Press, Bloomburg BusinessWeek, The Seattle Times
Tagged Budget, Politics, WA 2011 Legislature
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House transportation budget pares ferry cuts
A few weeks before the overall operating budget comes out, the House Transportation committee rolled out its proposal for the coming biennium. The plan includes fewer cuts to the Washington State Ferries than were initially proposed by Gov. Chris Gregoire, … Continue reading
Posted in Associated Press, The Seattle Times
Tagged Budget, Politics, WA 2011 Legislature
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Former US attorney in favor of legalizing pot
A bill to legalize and regulate marijuana in Washington state didn’t make it far in the Legislature, but many people think it should have: Former US attorney John McKay joins the ranks of Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson and The Seattle … Continue reading
Posted in Associated Press, The Seattle Times
Tagged Drugs, Politics, WA 2011 Legislature
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Bill would allow paying surrogates in Wash.
Under current Washington law, compensated surrogacy is a criminal offense. A bill introduced by Jamie Pedersen, who with his partner has four children by a surrogate from California, seeks to make compensated surrogacy contracts legal and strictly regulated as a … Continue reading
Sunshine Week: State groups fear bills may hinder records requests
Every year, the Associated Press does Sunshine Week to take a look at transparency in government. While Washington state historically has very strong, voter-enacted open government laws, a slew of bills introduced this session sought to clarify – and in … Continue reading
Posted in Associated Press, The Seattle Times
Tagged Politics, Public Records, WA 2011 Legislature
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Where Things Stand: Lawmakers still face $5 billion deficit
Now that the Legislature has passed its first major cutoff deadline, here’s a look at some of the major issues and where they stand in the process. Lawmakers still have to finish fixing the deficit for the current fiscal year … Continue reading
Posted in Associated Press, The Seattle Times
Tagged Budget, Politics, WA 2011 Legislature
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WA lawmakers reach key legislative deadline
March 7, almost halfway through the 105-day legislative session, marked the cutoff point for bills to be heard in their chamber of origin. The week leading up to the deadline was packed as members tried to get their measures heard … Continue reading
Are restaurants, coffee shops, coming to your park-and-ride?
Sen. Steve Hobbs proposed a bill to allow state-funded park-and-ride lots to contract with private vendors to lease some of the space in the lot. The revenue collected from the lease agreements would first go toward maintenance and management of … Continue reading
Molly Rosbach 