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Adam Wilson expounds on Washington state government, workers and politics. Wilson began covering those issues for the Olympian in 2004. Previously, he reported on the Idaho Legislature and Eastern Washington politics for the Lewiston Morning Tribune. He can be reached at: awilson@theolympian.com.
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Political Editor
Brad Shannon
360-753-1688
bshannon@theolympian.com
Statehouse Reporter
Adam Wilson
360-753-1688
awilson@theolympian.com
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Linville looking better for budget chair
Collegue Joe Turner has the scoop at Political Buzz. The short version of Joe's report is that Rep. Kelli Linville, who now heads the budget subcommittee on audits and government, may edge out the affable Rep. Hans Dunshee for chair of the House budget committee – one of the most powerful positions in the Legislature.
LinvilleFor those of us who follow government performance trends, Linville is known as one of the faithful, along with Rep. Mark Miloscia.
Also of note among committee changes is the possibility of Rep. Jeannie Darneille, a foster care advocate, getting the lead on the House Human Services Committee, and Rep. Christopher Hurst, former police officer, taking over the crime and justice committee.
SIDENOTE: And to answer a question collegue Brad Shannon raised in his post on Republican leadership posisitons, Sen. Dan Swecker says he did indeed leave the deputy caucus chairmanship under his own power, having nominated Sen. Cheryl Pflug as his replacement.
UPDATE: Maybe not so much on Darneille. Sounds like she’s getting her own committee, but not Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson’s spot.
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Another foster case settled, for $6 mil
The starvation case of foster child Tyler DeLeon, and his foster siblings, has been settled for $6 million.
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And the answer is 'Unfortunately, no'
Can't use public art money to save the Beall mosaic in the GA Building.
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Good news. Really
The local of state workers union is stepping up to help out with a free Thanksgiving dinner.
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Let us describe the fearsome budget
Two years of lowered spending are in the cards for the state, but they split between budget cycles, hiding the drop.
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State now in deficit for this year, worse for 09-11
The state budget is in a deficit this fiscal year, to the tune of $413 million. Total budget gap is now $5 billion.
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Moore issues pre-forecast forewarning
"We're going to be make really tough decisions in the next month and the coming months about how we fund government," the budget chief says.
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Do not buy performance audits? Don't tell the auditor
The governor's merciless "Do Not Buy" list of state programs includes performance audits, the bang-for-the-buck reviews of government efficiency.
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Loss of penis leads to prisons pay out
No point in tinkering at all with this very, very sad story from the Associated Press.
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Bush 'burrowing' operatives into civil service
In a long-standing presidential tradition, the Bush Administration is moving some of its political appointees into civil service positions within federal government.
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Short pension credit and save in California
A California think tank says you can save big by ending extra credit toward pensions.
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General counsel departs, other changes in Gregoire cabinet?
Richard E. Mitchell, Gov. Chris Gregoire's general counsel, is leaving her administration, the only post-election departure so far.
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The State Worker Page Lives
It's Monday morning, and you're wondering, whatever happened to my favorite feature in The Olympian, the State Worker page on B2?
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State employment continues to drop
Statewide employee headcount is down by 1,185, but the figure hides a larger shift in positions.
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Priorities of Government Report Out
Here it is, Exhibit A in how the state could deal with a big deficit.
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Hate from the mouths of babes
In Washington, Oregon and Idaho, school children suggest killing the president elect, or describe him with racial slurs.
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State Salt? Not cheap, but not outrageous
When you're the state of Ohio and you plan to spread 700,000 tons of salt on your roads over a winter, doubling the price of the best flavoring ever is a big deal.
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SEIU beats its many, many chests
The Service Employees International Union says no one did more to elect Obama in Washington. Also claims victories with Gregoire, legislators.
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If you want a pick-me-up
The latest revenue report is sombering, including missing expectations by $53 million.
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Obama's team on making civil service cool
President-elect Obama's transistion team talks about making government work cool again.
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Trade state raises for keeping jobs?
In an interview with the Seattle Times, Gregoire suggests pay raises could be traded for less layoffs.
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Capitol hillside under repair again
There is more work on the bluff by Capitol lake. No, it's not a redo of the hillside trail project.
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Provider One working
Phase one of the very large, very expensive computer project is up and running.
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Election update
GOP solidifying narrow leads in Congressional 8 with Reichert, state Senate 17 with Benton, pulling ahead in state Senate 2 against Rasmussen.
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California cuts state employee workdays
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking aim at state worker pay and benefits in addition to a possible boost in the state sales tax.
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Plan B politics continue
Would Sen. Patty Murray resist an Obama appointee because she stalled on approving the emergency contraceptive?
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Drive to split DSHS lives (so does family leave)
Senators are already drafting bills for what will, no doubt, be a rock ’em, sock ’em session.
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(Free) sign o' the times
Free...One Dino Rossi for Gov. sign. Rigid. Yellow letters on blue background.
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Don't jump: 5 reasons for Republican hope
A GOP activist finds the silver lining in a Democratic thunderstom.
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Idaho goes (teeny bit) blue; Alaska keeping Stevens
Corruption or no, Stevens is around. And CD1 in Idaho may have flipped parties.
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Rossi calls meeting, likely to concede
Republican Dino Rossi has called a press conference for 11:30 in Renton.
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Election, caught on tape
See two haggard reporters attempt to make sense of things late on election night
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Nick Handy says Internet voting coming
That is going to spark some debate with the self-appointed elections-integrity brigade
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I-985 in trouble
Looks like Initiative 985, is faring badly in early returns, with a 61 percent no vote.
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Let's call some Washington races
Quite a few Washington statewide races don't look to be competitive.
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State parking lot waterproof, but darn slippery
The state has closed a newly refurbished 202-stall visitor parking lot on the Capitol Campus, deciding it was too slippery to walk on.
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Uniform Medical Plan going away? No, but change coming
The state may transfer management of its most popular insurance plan to a private contractor.
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Trackback: Revenue employees suing WPEA
Dennis Redmon and his crew at the Department of Revenue have sued the Washington Public Employees Association over mandatory dues.
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State worker enrollment opens; still incredible bargain
Bad news: costs go up. Good news: still super cheap.
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Palin: the Idaho years (redux)
Other than big hair and fat belts, Sarah Palin didn't leave a lot of impressions behind at the University of Idaho.
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Make that 300 children under supervision have died
Turns out Dino Rossi was low balling when he said 200 kids under state supervision have died in four years.
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What alarms opponents of I-1000
After the assisted suicide of a paralyzed rugby player, British authorities may take action.
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Business just fine under the dome
Defying the odds, the Capitol's new gift shop is pulling in the dough.
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Q and A on assisted suicide and Oregon Health Plan
Oregon's Health Plan does pay for assisted suicide if a patient requests it. So far, 19 people have used the state-paid version over the 10 years the Death With Dignity Act has been in effect in Oregon.
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Olympians: Powell endorsement has "great" impact
Here's the latest from our completely unscientific Web poll on former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell's endorsement of the Democratic nominee.
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Gregoire picking up or not?
Is Gregoire picking up steam, or has the Obama train passed her by? All indications are for a squeaker Nov. 4.
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Rossi backs separate Children's Administration
Rossi said in a debate that he would "try to peel off children's services out of DSHS."
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Joe the Plumber, uncut
Here's the longest, clearest clip I could find from the third man in the presidential debate, Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher.
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It's McCain's citizenship that's remotely questionable
Although the lawsuit is about Obama's status as a citizen, the only good debate is about McCain's.
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Foster care back in the headlines (not in a good way)
A starvation case in Carnation may have been another missed chance to prevent abuse.
