Business

Inside The World Of Business Lobbying In Olympia

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:52:40 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – In the world of state legislatures, there’s a powerful breed of players who normally shun the spotlight. They prefer to work behind the scenes to influence policy outcomes. We’re talking about business lobbyists. Inside this often hidden world, you’ll meet two of the most successful corporate contract lobbyists in the Washington state capitol.

Washington Marijuana Legalization Draws Yale MBAs With Big Ideas

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:07:38 +0000

SEATTLE, Wash. – As Washington moves to legalize marijuana, pot entrepreneurs are lobbying in public forums and behind the scenes. These business interests want to shape the new marijuana marketplace. Among them, a Seattle-based private equity firm called Privateer Holdings.

Washington ‘Potrepreneurs’ Plan To Start Locally, Expand Nationally

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:06:14 +0000

So far, Washington and Colorado are the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. Two states is a pretty limited market if you’re getting into the cannabis business. But many so-called “potrepreneurs” are counting on the eventual repeal of marijuana prohibition nationally. Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

Everyone’s a Comedian? Not At Improv School

Julia Flucht — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:37:56 +0000

Improvisational theater isn’t just for aspiring comedians and performers anymore. Improv classes and workshops are popping up in Seattle, Portland, Boise, Spokane and Eugene. Companies and business schools are taking notice. Reporter Julia Flucht is in one of these classes and reports on how the improv mindset can produce creative results beyond the stage.

Front Page: Signs of the Times

John Paxson — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:21:10 +0000

As we continue to expand our regional news coverage here on Northwest Public Radio, we are pleased to offer a new segment. In conversations with editors, reporters and others covering the news, we’ll be taking a closer look at the people, issues and events shaping lives across the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page. Here’s our news director John Paxson with this week’s featured publication, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

Wash. State Auditor Candidates Clash Over Character Issue

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:22:28 +0000

Character is quickly becoming a key issue in the race for Washington State Auditor. Republican James Watkins and Democrat Troy Kelley sparred Wednesday over the question of honesty as they debated before a business audience.

Watkins reiterated his attack from last week: that Kelley can’t be trusted because of past civil allegations that he misappropriated millions of dollars. Watkins told the debate audience about a deposition Kelley gave in a 2001 wrongful termination lawsuit in California.

Washington Jobs Picture Brightens, But Unemployment Up Too

Tom Banse — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:09:08 +0000

The latest jobs report for Washington state contains a paradox. It shows strong job growth in the private sector. But at the same time, the state unemployment rate also rose.

Washington's Employment Department Wednesday reported a May jobless rate of 8.3 percent, up slightly from the revised 8.2 percent rate of April.

State labor economist Anneliese Vance-Sherman said in a conference call that the higher unemployment rate was caused primarily by once-discouraged workers resuming their job hunts.

Wash. Shoppers React To Liquor In Grocery Stores

Ashley Gross - KPLU — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 01:04:03 +0000

The state of Washington has officially bid good riddance to its state run liquor stores. About five times as many stores will now sell hard liquor, and the new law that went into effect Friday means shoppers can head to supermarkets to buy vodka or rum. It’s a welcome change for some people, but not for everyone.

Shoppers gave their reactions outside of a Costco warehouse in Seattle.

Alyssa Royse was loading up bottles.

"I came here just to by liquor. We've got tequila, vodka, gin and of course vermouth."

Great Wolf Lodge Tax Exemption Stands Despite Internal Doubts, Court Ruling

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:20:49 +0000

Since the 1970s, U.S. policy toward American Indian tribes has been to encourage economic independence. Tribal casinos are probably the most visible symbol of that policy. These days, tribes are diversifying into other businesses. In 2005, the Chehalis Indian tribe in southwest Washington partnered with a Wisconsin-based water park chain to build a destination resort. The state of Washington, in turn, granted the project tax exempt status. But now, correspondent Austin Jenkins has obtained internal state documents that question whether Great Wolf Lodge really is a tribal entity and eligible for favorable tax treatment.

State Liquor Store Auction Rakes In Nearly $31 Million

Tom Banse — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:27:24 +0000

This month's auction of state-run liquor stores in Washington raked in nearly $31 million. The state liquor control board revealed the winning bidders Monday.