There are over 300 exemptions to Washington’s broad-sweeping public disclosure act, but conservative think tank The Freedom Foundation says the governor’s office is citing one that doesn’t exist when it withholds documents: executive privilege. The foundation is suing Gov. Chris Gregoire for release of the documents and any penalties incurred by withholding them originally.
Think tank sues Wash. gov. in public records case
Posted in Associated Press, The Seattle Times
Tagged Politics, Public Records, WA 2011 Legislature
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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 the school districts that “busted their butts” to pass levies.
Also in: BusinessWeek
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 of Fish and Wildlife’s assertion that hound-hunting is necessary to reduce cougar complaints, and wants the department to undergo an outside peer review process to ensure that its science is sound.
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 vehicles to make up for lost gas tax revenue from those drivers.
Also in: BusinessWeek
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, but funding for transportation is still hurting by declining gas tax revenue as fuel efficiency increases. Lawmakers admitted to “patching it through;” this budget is a bridge to get the state to 2013.
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 Times in calling for the repeal of marijuana prohibition. Supporters say that keeping pot illegal has allowed black markets to thrive and caused drug violence to erupt along the US-Mexico border; legalizing it would bring it into a realm where it could be taxed and regulated, and could generate jobs and revenue for the state.
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 form of protection for surrogates, intended parents and children.
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 some cases, narrow – the scope of the Public Records Act.
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 before they can even think about tackling the estimated $5 billion hole for the 2011-2013 biennium.
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 on the floor in time. At the tail-end of the long week, lawmakers voted to approve bills regarding DUI penalties and exemptions from MIPs when minors are calling 911 for help, among others.
Molly Rosbach 