unused126
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.
-
Next piece of budget moves
House Democrats unveiled their plans for the supplemental budget today, saying its not a budget, but a program-by-program plan to cut total spending by $640 million. It's called the "Early Action Savings Bill."
Quick impressions: they keep the pledge to "cover all kids" by subsidizing families up to three times the poverty level. Gregoire wanted to freeze it at 250 percent. They keep adult day health, but reduce the vendor rate. Indeed, many vendor rates are down including boarding homes and nursing homes, those two down by an average 3 percent.
What I've come to think of as the Obama money is in there at the same rate: $780 billion in increased federal matching funds for Medicaid. And the welfare grants: $133 million in contingency funds.
-
Matheson to depart Department of Retirement Systems
She's not sure where she's going, but wants to get out of political appointments.
-
Where the whacking is (That's you, DSHS)
Small agencies are targeted, the the biggest loses more than 700 FTEs.
-
It's like the night before that holiday
Anticipation runs high today, as we're about to see the governor's budget proposals.
-
Stephani on leaving Children's Administration
CA director says she's taking a break, without immediate plans.
-
Gregoire orders another $260 million in cuts
More cuts to add to the earlier cuts, which should set things up the for the next round of ...
-
Slippery parking lot partially open, work continues
The natural resources lot is partially open, final solution to slipping problem ellusive.
-
Linville looking better for budget chair
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 .
-
And the answer is 'Unfortunately, no'
Can't use public art money to save the Beall mosaic in the GA Building.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Obama's team on making civil service cool
President-elect Obama's transistion team talks about making government work cool again.
-
Trade state raises for keeping jobs?
In an interview with the Seattle Times, Gregoire suggests pay raises could be traded for less layoffs.
-
Election update
GOP solidifying narrow leads in Congressional 8 with Reichert, state Senate 17 with Benton, pulling ahead in state Senate 2 against Rasmussen.
-
Idaho goes (teeny bit) blue; Alaska keeping Stevens
Corruption or no, Stevens is around. And CD1 in Idaho may have flipped parties.
-
Election, caught on tape
See two haggard reporters attempt to make sense of things late on election night
-
Uniform Medical Plan going away? No, but change coming
The state may transfer management of its most popular insurance plan to a private contractor.
-
State worker enrollment opens; still incredible bargain
Bad news: costs go up. Good news: still super cheap.
-
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.
-
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.
-
What alarms opponents of I-1000
After the assisted suicide of a paralyzed rugby player, British authorities may take action.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
And now, the video report
We make our videographer splice Gregoire and Rossi until they nearly make sense.
-
RIP: family leave, family tax credit, property tax deferral
Three programs that never got off the ground get buried.
-
Sign language press release a first?
DSHS thinks this YouTube video is the first state press release in American Sign Language.
-
State workers' lost pension money, CEO's phat paychecks
One exec gets $60 million cash, more than that in other benefits, working for the now-bankrupt Lehman Brothers.
-
Olympians: Palin; Tacomans: Biden
The juges give 'em a 9.2 for sticking the landing, despite not doing much while in the air.
-
DOH releases final medical pot rule
The Department of Health has issued its final word on what exactly constitutes a 60-day supply of medical marijuana.
-
Postma: Nix on bailout bill
Republican James Postma says the government should shore up the dollar, not bail out investment firms.
-
Delavar: Congress shouldn't buy bad debt
Baird and Delavar don't agree on the war, don't agree on Wall Street bailout.
-
Dear: 'This is not a false alarm'
Public purchase of bad debt will be necessary to stop the credit crisis, says Joe Dear.
-
In Chocolate vs. Vanilla, Freedom always wins
How to watch a political debate with the public's eye.
-
Rep. Alexander: leave state worker contracts alone
Alexander reiterated his long-standing position that reductions in state spending should be made through government doing less, not across-the-board cuts to worker benefits.
-
McDermott on 'King Henry'
Rep. Jim McDermott suggests the Wall Street bail out will ensure a cushy landing for Bush employees looking for work in four months.
-
Idaho Vandal cheerleaders, skimpy outfits
You know, Vice President in waiting Sarah Palin and I have the same degree from the U of I.
-
Republican: state workers should pay more for insurance
If you're facing a $529 million drop in revenue projections, you might consider renegotiating state worker health benefits, Sen. Joe Zarelli says
-
Assisted suicide: immoral?
Stop me if you've heard this one: a reporter talks to a rabbi, a nun, a philosopher, a doctor, an ethicist, and a professor.
-
Updated: If a paystep is created, but no one is around ...
How do we know if pay Step M exists in the next biennium, if no one will qualify for it?
-
Dear: government must stabilize home prices
"This is not magic. You can't lend money to people who can't pay it back."
-
Taxpayers pay more than entire state pension fund
The public buyout of AIG cost more money than there is to pay for the retirement of all Washington public employees.
-
Federation, guv reach tenative deal
Shortly after midnight, the Washington Federation of State Employees reached a two-year agreement with Gov. Chris Gregoire’s negotiators.
-
"Hockey Mom" book outsells "Shock Doctrine" in Washington
What do our book-buying tendencies tell us about electoral politics?
-
4-day week for CTED, DVA, others
Several state agencies and divisions will move a four-day work week under a plan announced Wednesday by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
-
Insurance regulation not 'disastrous' yet
More insurance plans being offered, Kreidler declares victory for increased regulation.
-
Fact checking I-1000
An examination of Oregon's data on who uses its Death with Dignity Law, and why, contradicts a few claims of anti-I-1000 campaign.
-
Oh, good: state picks up fed's tab on highways
People drive less, pay less gas tax, the feds stiff the states for their share of road project costs.
-
The new, old McCain
Sen. John McCain sought to cast himself as the humble servant saved by America, not the savior of America.
-
Gregoire on Palin
Gregoire isn't that different from Palin, so why is one ready to be VP and not the other?
-
Delavar persona non grata with GOP
Candidate in 3rd Congressional District is passed up for endorsement, again.
Site Map
- News
- South Sound
- Business
- Education
- Environment
- Crime
- Military
- Northwest
- National News
- Stock Market
- Traffic
- Weather
- RSS Feeds
- Multimedia
- Local Video
- Local Galleries
- Today in Photos
- Nation & World Galleries
- Your Videos
- Your Photos
- Mobile website
- Photo Reprints
111 Bethel Street NE, Olympia, Washington 98506 · 360-754-5400
© Copyright 2013 The Olympian. A subsidiary of The McClatchy Company
Partners: The News Tribune | The Peninsula Gateway | The Puyallup Herald | Northwest Guardian | KIRO7