Even unused tax breaks tough for state to abandon

Lawmakers have talked for years about plugging holes in the state budget by paring back the dizzying number of tax breaks.

State pension changes flounder

A proposal to trim future outlays for state-funded pensions ran into a storm of criticism from retiree and labor groups last week, and the concept is in trouble at the Legislature.

Olympia's Denny Heck kicks off campaign, says he'd work for jobs as lawmaker

Democrat Denny Heck formally kicked off the Thurston County leg of his congressional campaign today, playing up his three-decade-old connection to Olympia and pledging to work for a “Chevy truck economy – built to last” in America.

The former statehouse politician-turned-entrepreneur-turned aspiring politician drew a subdued crowd of about 125 people to the event at his Olympia Ballroom this morning. The kickoff had been delayed by the recent snowstorm and was his second event – following a kickoff two weekends ago in Pierce County, which has the majority of voters in Washington’s newly created 10th Congressional District.

Two Republicans with military backgrounds are also in the race, Dick Muri of Steilacoom and Stan Fleming of University Place, both of whom are on the Pierce County Council. Olympia financial planner David Castillo says he is thinking about a GOP run as well.

Senate panel approves banning Washington minors from indoor tanning beds

OLYMPIA — A state Senate panel has approved a measure that would prohibit the use of indoor tanning beds by anyone under 18.

Government purchasing might be consolidated under 1 official

State government spends more than $1 billion on goods and services a year – from computers to consultants – all of which soon may come under a single official and single set of rules.

Under the Dome: Legislative highlights for Feb. 4

For additional coverage of the Legislature, go to www.theolympian.com/ underthedome.

Legislative highlights for Feb. 3

For additional coverage of the Legislature, go to theolympian.com/ underthedome.

House GOP's budget spends $580M more on education

House Republicans offered up a “fund education first” budget Thursday, earmarking what they depicted as $580 million more for K-12 public schools than Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget would allocate.

Republicans propose education budget that would preserve 180-day school year

OLYMPIA — Washington state House Republicans are releasing a proposed education budget they say would preserve the 180-day school year while cutting programs to combat bullying and enforce civil rights.

Senate panel deadlocks on plan that would create public-records restrictions

OLYMPIA — Lawmakers are split on whether to move ahead with a plan that could limit how governments respond to requests for public documents.