Under the Dome

The Politics Blog

NOTICE: The Politics Blog has moved

The Politics Blog has moved to a new platform. Take a look at the new blog.

Brad Shannon is political editor at The Olympian and can be reached at 360-753-1688 or bshannon@theolympian.com.

Contact

Political Editor

Brad Shannon
360-753-1688
bshannon@theolympian.com

    Bill to end tax breaks for big banks moves forward

    posted 03:32 PM 05/11

    State legislators had their first chance Wednesday to vote on a bill that would end tax breaks to mitigate painful budget cuts, and freshman Democrats in the House of Representatives said they’ll make sure it’s not the last.

    House panel: delay science-test grad requirement to 2017

    posted 08:53 PM 05/09

    In a disputed House Education Committee vote Monday, majority Democrats pushed through a delay in the high-stakes science test requirement for high-school graduation. House Bill 1410 passed 11-to-9 on strict partisan lines and is expected to save $20 million.

    House suspends education initiatives – again

    posted 08:54 PM 05/09

    The votes were lopsided but not unanimous to suspend initiatives 728 and 732 in the state House of Representatives Monday. The two iconic education-funding measures were first approved by voters in 2000 to provide class-size reduction funds and also to provide K-12 public school employees with annual cost-of-living raises.

    Cain ekes out win in state GOP's first presidential 'straw poll'

    posted 03:43 PM 05/09

    A state Republican Party "straw poll" over the weekend showed no clear frontrunner among Republicans seeking the presidential nomination. The winner was former Godfather's Pizza chief executive Herman Cain, who hauled in 15.1 percent of the vote in a field of 18 choices.

    Thurston judge upholds state's unpaid furloughs

    posted 03:49 PM 05/06

    A judge ruled against the Washington Federation of State Employees today in dismissing a legal challenge to the Legislature's order for 10 unpaid furlough days over the past year.

    Gregoire supports 1.9% pay cut for K-12 teachers

    posted 02:55 PM 05/05

    Gov. Chris Gregoire gave support today to a pay cut for public-school teachers, but not the full 3 percent approved last month by the state Senate for all K-12 employees.

    Parking rate hike at Capitol may net $885,000

    posted 03:59 PM 05/05

    You can visit, but don't stay too long – it'll cost you. That may be the unintended message as the Department of General Administration jacks up parking rates for visitors and even agencies that park fleet vehicles on the Capitol Campus after July 1.

    Rep. Kucinich: man with a country looking for a district

    posted 06:25 PM 05/04

    Democratic U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio was a popular figure among devoted Olympia leftists when he ran twice for president. And now there's a rash of speculation that he could run for Congress in Washington.

    State Senate honors U.S. military for bin Laden kill

    posted 02:39 PM 05/04

    Republican Sen. Mike Carrell and Democratic Sen. Steve Hobbs offered a resolution on the state Senate floor today to honor American intelligence agencies for their work leading up to the killing of Osama bin Laden. They also expressed relief over the terrorist mastermind's demise.

    Barner wants 2nd term at Olympia port

    posted 02:05 PM 05/04

    Longtime Democrat George Barner has announced he is in the running for a second term on the Olympia port commission. He says he's brought more public voice into the port’s activities by adding more public meetings. But he wants to do more to boost economic development.

Regional Political News »


Under the Dome