Legislature

Under the Dome for Feb. 9

Good morning. Today is Tuesday, Feb. 9, the 30th day of the 60-day legislative session.

State weighs privatizing booze

Thousands of cases of whiskey, vodka and rum zip along three miles of conveyor belts inside a massive distribution center in industrial south Seattle, the sole location for shipping booze to liquor stores across Washington state.

Tripled oil tax seen as solution

Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers are teaming up behind a bill that would triple the tax on petroleum and other toxic substances, raising $225 million a year to help close a state budget gap and pay for stormwater projects.

Students rally across state

Hundreds of University of Washington students gathered at noon Friday on the Capitol steps to voice their displeasure over increased tuition and proposed cuts to financial aid and the school's budget.

Some lawmakers penalized for pot discussion

A legislative ethics panel has thrown out a complaint against state Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles and others who invited international travel adviser Rick Steves to talk in October at the Capitol about topics that included marijuana.

Under the Dome for Feb. 5

Good morning. Today is Friday, Feb. 5, the 26th day of the 60-day legislative session.

Bill would further track cold medicines

A South Sound lawmaker wants to further regulate and track sales of over-the-counter cold medicines - this time through an electronic database.

Amending I-960 first step to taxes

Senate Democrats took a first step Wednesday toward raising taxes by introducing a bill to amend voter-approved Initiative 960 to temporarily get rid of its requirement for a two-thirds vote for tax increases.
• THE POLITICS BLOG: Political editor Brad Shannon's blog

Legislature turns to fallen officers

OLYMPIA - Four widows, a widower and 13 children who lost a parent were on the minds of lawmakers Tuesday as law enforcement-backed legislation emerging from last year's police officer slayings won easy approval in the state House.
• Gallery: The Washington State Senate Honors Six Fallen Officers

Under the Dome

Good morning. Today is Thursday, Feb. 4, the 25th day of the 60-day legislative session.