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.
Brad Shannon
360-753-1688
bshannon@theolympian.com
Adam Wilson
360-753-1688
awilson@theolympian.com
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.

For 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.
The starvation case of foster child Tyler DeLeon, and his foster siblings, has been settled for $6 million.
Can't use public art money to save the Beall mosaic in the GA Building.
The local of state workers union is stepping up to help out with a free Thanksgiving dinner.
Two years of lowered spending are in the cards for the state, but they split between budget cycles, hiding the drop.
The state budget is in a deficit this fiscal year, to the tune of $413 million. Total budget gap is now $5 billion.
"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.
The governor's merciless "Do Not Buy" list of state programs includes performance audits, the bang-for-the-buck reviews of government efficiency.
No point in tinkering at all with this very, very sad story from the Associated Press.
In a long-standing presidential tradition, the Bush Administration is moving some of its political appointees into civil service positions within federal government.
A California think tank says you can save big by ending extra credit toward pensions.
Richard E. Mitchell, Gov. Chris Gregoire's general counsel, is leaving her administration, the only post-election departure so far.
It's Monday morning, and you're wondering, whatever happened to my favorite feature in The Olympian, the State Worker page on B2?
Statewide employee headcount is down by 1,185, but the figure hides a larger shift in positions.
Here it is, Exhibit A in how the state could deal with a big deficit.
In Washington, Oregon and Idaho, school children suggest killing the president elect, or describe him with racial slurs.
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.
The Service Employees International Union says no one did more to elect Obama in Washington. Also claims victories with Gregoire, legislators.
The latest revenue report is sombering, including missing expectations by $53 million.
President-elect Obama's transistion team talks about making government work cool again.
In an interview with the Seattle Times, Gregoire suggests pay raises could be traded for less layoffs.
There is more work on the bluff by Capitol lake. No, it's not a redo of the hillside trail project.
Phase one of the very large, very expensive computer project is up and running.
GOP solidifying narrow leads in Congressional 8 with Reichert, state Senate 17 with Benton, pulling ahead in state Senate 2 against Rasmussen.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking aim at state worker pay and benefits in addition to a possible boost in the state sales tax.
Would Sen. Patty Murray resist an Obama appointee because she stalled on approving the emergency contraceptive?
Senators are already drafting bills for what will, no doubt, be a rock ’em, sock ’em session.
Free...One Dino Rossi for Gov. sign. Rigid. Yellow letters on blue background.
A GOP activist finds the silver lining in a Democratic thunderstom.
Corruption or no, Stevens is around. And CD1 in Idaho may have flipped parties.
Republican Dino Rossi has called a press conference for 11:30 in Renton.
See two haggard reporters attempt to make sense of things late on election night
That is going to spark some debate with the self-appointed elections-integrity brigade
Looks like Initiative 985, is faring badly in early returns, with a 61 percent no vote.
Quite a few Washington statewide races don't look to be competitive.
The state has closed a newly refurbished 202-stall visitor parking lot on the Capitol Campus, deciding it was too slippery to walk on.
The state may transfer management of its most popular insurance plan to a private contractor.
Dennis Redmon and his crew at the Department of Revenue have sued the Washington Public Employees Association over mandatory dues.
Bad news: costs go up. Good news: still super cheap.
Other than big hair and fat belts, Sarah Palin didn't leave a lot of impressions behind at the University of Idaho.
Turns out Dino Rossi was low balling when he said 200 kids under state supervision have died in four years.
After the assisted suicide of a paralyzed rugby player, British authorities may take action.
Defying the odds, the Capitol's new gift shop is pulling in the dough.
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.
Here's the latest from our completely unscientific Web poll on former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell's endorsement of the Democratic nominee.
Is Gregoire picking up steam, or has the Obama train passed her by? All indications are for a squeaker Nov. 4.
Rossi said in a debate that he would "try to peel off children's services out of DSHS."
Here's the longest, clearest clip I could find from the third man in the presidential debate, Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher.
Although the lawsuit is about Obama's status as a citizen, the only good debate is about McCain's.
A starvation case in Carnation may have been another missed chance to prevent abuse.