Jay Inslee

Washington Legislature Convenes Second Special Session

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:04:52 +0000

The opening gavel has once again fallen in the Washington legislature.

Inslee Announces Second Special Session, Prepares For Government Shutdown

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:34:13 +0000

Washington Governor Jay Inslee will call lawmakers back into a second special session beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday. He’s also beginning preparations for a government shutdown on July 1 if there’s no deal by then.

Time Is Nearly Up For Washington Budget Deal

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 23:41:50 +0000

Washington’s overtime legislative session ends at midnight on Tuesday. But there’s still no agreement on a state budget for the next two years.

Over the weekend, the mostly Republican senate majority passed a revised version of its own spending plan, along with a trio of controversial policy measures.

The three policy bills are not new, the Senate passed them during the regular session.

Washington Budget Impasse Prompts Finger Pointing

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:06:40 +0000

There’s one week left in Washington’s special legislative session and still no budget deal. Governor Jay Inslee and the Senate majority caucus held dueling news conferences Tuesday complete with plenty of finger-pointing.

Washington Budget Talks Slow, But Governor Sees Progress

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:09:16 +0000

Washington’s special session begins next Monday. But at this point it seems unlikely House and Senate budget negotiators will be close to a deal. Governor Jay Inslee said both sides agreed Tuesday on some common assumptions about the next two year budget.

Inslee spoke at the end of a bill signing ceremony. For now he’s measuring progress in these budget negotiations by the week, not the day.

Columbia River Crossing Funding Hinges On Washington Special Session

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:39:59 +0000

When Washington lawmakers return to Olympia in two weeks for a special session, Governor Jay Inslee is demanding they approve funding for the new Columbia River Crossing. The Democrat wants that funding included in a broader gas tax measure.

Washington Special Session Has Political Fundraising Implications

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:01:16 +0000

An expected special session of the Washington legislature would mean another freeze on political fundraising. State law prohibits lawmakers from soliciting contributions while they are in session. For most members that’s probably not a huge concern since this is an off-election year. But a few legislators will be on this year’s ballot.

The so-called session freeze on fundraising lifts at 12:01am on the day after adjournment.

Washington House Democrats: Extend Taxes, End Tax Breaks To Fund Schools

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:06:44 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington House Democrats have unveiled a proposed two-year budget that looks a lot like Governor Jay Inslee’s. It would renew expiring tax hikes, close several tax exemptions and put the new money into public schools.

House Democrats would actually spend a tad more than the governor. But their approach is very similar.

Inslee Calls For 'Aggressive' Approach To Drunk Drivers

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:10:17 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Governor Jay Inslee is demanding a renewed crackdown on drunk drivers. This after recent tragedies in the Seattle area.

The Democrat Tuesday called for more DUI patrols, more resources for prosecutors and stricter rules for ignition interlock devices.

“We've got to understand a drinking driver is just as dangerous as someone out there with a bomb in their car because that’s what they are," the governor said.

Washington Senate Budget: More Money For Education, No 'Loophole' Closures

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:01:10 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The mostly Republican majority in the Washington state Senate has unveiled its budget proposal. It would put $1 billion more into basic education without raising taxes. The spending blueprint released Wednesday contrasts sharply with what Governor Jay Inslee proposed last week.

Like Governor Inslee, the Senate proposes to make a significant down payment on the Washington Supreme Court’s finding that the state isn’t adequately funding K-12 education.