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Voting bills for youth, same-day registration get hearing 01/12

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Brad Shannon
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Political Smell Test: R-74 spot true, but misleading

A TV commercial that opponents of Washington’s same-sex marriage referendum started airing Tuesday says, “Experience shows how Referendum 74 can harm people who oppose gay marriage.”
A hands-on approach to education at MITCH

TUALATIN, ORE. – Entering a fourth-grade classroom, Principal Debi Lorence spies a puddle on the floor – the contents of an overturned student water bottle.
Oregon example: Charters ‘part of fabric’ of school system

As Washington voters prepare to vote on charter schools again, advocates in Oregon wonder why their neighbors to the north are taking so long to see the merits of charters.
Initiative 1240: Charting a new course in Washington?

Three times, Washington voters have said no to charter schools. Asked to consider bringing the independent, publicly funded education model to the Evergreen State, voters turned down ballot measures in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
I-1192 won’t see vote; R-74 receives boost

Same-sex marriage supporters in Washington got a double dose of good news Monday.
Judge’s ruling clears way for charter support

A Thurston County judge on Friday tweaked the ballot language on a citizen initiative to create a public charter school system in Washington, clearing the way for supporters to begin collecting signatures.
After attack, Rossi 'absolutely' mulling run

OLYMPIA - Democrats stepped up their preemptive campaign against potential Republican Senate candidate Dino Rossi on Thursday, alleging that $20,000 in delinquent property taxes owed by his business partners shows poor ethical standards on his part.
Builders to take campaign-finance lawsuit to trial

A lawsuit over allegedly illegal campaign-finance activities by the Building Industry Association of Washington is headed into a long court battle.
Inquiries about pot production, sale flood two state agencies

The phone has been ringing off the hook at the state Liquor Control Board since the passage of Initiative 502, with most callers asking how to become a producer and retailer of marijuana for recreational use, an agency spokesman said Thursday.
I-502 protesters shout at travel guide Steves at Capitol Rotunda

International travel guide Rick Steves set out to make a few remarks Friday in favor of Initiative 502's proposed legalization of marijuana. But about 20 noisy protesters including medical-marijuana advocates disrupted his speech in the state Capitol Rotunda.