SEIU, State Patrol lieutenants yet to settle contracts

Gov. Chris Gregoire’s administration has formally signed or settled 22 labor contracts, leaving just four to go in the new budget year that started Wednesday.

Initiative 1033 certification seems likely

Professional initiative promoter Tim Eyman appears likely to get his latest campaign on the fall ballot. He turned in an estimated 314,000 petition signatures Thursday in Olympia from people who support Initiative 1033.

Health care cuts debated

The proven way to search for cancerous lumps in your lower intestine, run a camera up there and have a look around, is the cost effective way - or not.

Eyman's latest plan criticized

Critics of Tim Eyman’s newest tax-limiting initiative say it will add to the state’s budget shortfall in 2011 and hamper the rescue of programs being slashed now because of budget cuts.

Aid case increase adds to budget shortfall

More Washington residents will receive Medicaid and children’s health assistance in the next two years than earlier forecast, creating a $250 million shortfall in the state’s already-strained budget.

EPA lets states set emissions limits

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted California and 13 other states, including Washington, authority Tuesday to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from new cars and light trucks.

State budget year begins with 3,200 jobs on the block

Many state agencies are keeping employees on the payroll a bit longer as Washington’s government starts a new budget year today with 3,200 jobs on the chopping block.