Tagged: Government and Politics

OLYMPIA, Wash. – An insider’s game. That’s how open government advocates describe the Washington legislature as it heads into its final days. They complain of last minute public hearings, so-called “ghost bills” with only a title and no details, and quick votes on deals negotiated behind-the-scenes. These shortcuts save time. But critics say they effectively shut the public out of the process.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington lawmakers are hurtling toward a deadline to adjourn next Thursday. Majority Democrats still have to agree on a plan to re-balance the state budget. Tuesday, Senate Democrats unveiled a blueprint that includes a controversial move: paying a couple of bills a day late.

In the Washington state Senate, a short-lived era of bipartisan cooperation on the budget appears over. Majority Democrats Tuesday will unveil their plan to rebalance the budget. But Republican leaders say they won’t be there.

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber is keeping up the public pressure on lawmakers to pass some of his major policy proposals this session. For the second day in a row, the Democrat held a state capitol press conference to urge the legislature to pass bills that have been stuck in committee.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says he opposes gay marriage, but is comfortable letting voters decide the issue for their own state. Gingrich made his comments Friday during a visit to the Washington capitol. It’s the second time in two weeks a Republican presidential candidate has campaigned under the dome.

Newt Gingrich told fans in Spokane today he’s astonished President Obama apologized to Afghan authorities for the burning of Muslim Holy Books by U.S. soldiers. Obama expressed remorse this morning that a military base burned copies of the Quran in a garbage pile.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – It’s been two weeks since Josh Powell allegedly killed himself and his two children in a house fire near Graham, Washington. A new task force announced Thursday will investigate the deaths. Meanwhile, the grandparents of the two Powell boys are pushing for changes in Child Protective Services.

SALEM, Ore. – With less than a week to go in the legislative session, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber is stepping up the pressure on lawmakers to act soon on his major policy proposals. At least one of his key initiatives gained final approval Thursday, but three more are stalled.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A bipartisan group of Washington lawmakers wants JPMorgan Chase to lower the ATM fee it charges cash welfare recipients. Currently these low- income clients pay 85-cents each time they withdraw cash. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports on how the fees add up.