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

    Special session update: Day 9

    posted 10:07 AM 05/04

    One hundred and fourteen days into the Legislature's work, lawmakers are holding a hearing on something that has been talked about since the beginning: eliminating tax exemptions.

    Eyman blasts move to get 2nd opinion on I-1053

    posted 07:27 PM 05/03

    Tim Eyman is seeing red and headed to the Capitol to defend his Initiative 1053 on Wednesday. Voters approved the measure by a 64 percent margin last November, and as we reported Sunday, Democratic Sen. Ed Murray is holding a hearing to consider changes to it.

    Surprise! $182M tax-amnesty windfall pares budget gap

    posted 05:30 PM 05/03

    Washington's three-month-long tax amnesty for businesses has delivered an unexpectedly fat cash bonanza, giving House and Senate budget writers an extra $182 million to help close their differences in Olympia.

    GOP women host Sam Reed for award, speech

    posted 01:25 PM 05/03

    Secretary of State Sam Reed is scheduled to speak about his long history in the politics of Thurston County on Tuesday, May 10, during the monthly lunch meeting of the Thurston County Republican Women's Club. He also is receiving a life-time achievement award from the Thurston Republican Party.

    Democrats ask AG's opinion on medical pot bill

    posted 03:23 PM 05/03

    In vetoing the medical marijuana bill, Gov. Chris Gregoire cited worries about a potential threat to state employees. Advocates for the bill, though, say the federal government can't prosecute state employees just for doing their job in regulating pot.

    Special session update: Day 8

    posted 10:41 AM 05/03

    Sporadic legislating continues at the Legislature. Today it's the Senate's turn for a little official business.

    Elway: Obama slipping, state voters' outlook grim

    posted 01:55 PM 05/02

    The latest Elway Poll finds Washingtonians more pessimistic about the future and crankier than even in January. Even President Obama can’t catch a break, Stuart Elway's latest findings show, and that can't be good for the state’s majority party 18 months before the next election.

    In Centralia, Gov. Gregoire signs bill that ends TransAlta's coal use by 2025

    posted 04:03 PM 04/29

    Gov. Chris Gregoire put her signature on Senate Bill 5769 this morning in Centralia, bringing to an end a long fight over emissions from the Alberta-based TransAlta’s local coal-fired power plant.

    Saturday forum looks at Social Security's past, future

    posted 10:50 AM 04/29

    The Washington Alliance for Retired Americans plans a forum Saturday afternoon to explore the history and future of Social Security. The free event is from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at The Evergreen State College and features speakers from labor and retiree groups.

    Budget talks go on at low-key Capitol

    posted 06:07 PM 04/28

    Budget talks are quietly taking place at the Capitol in the first three days of special session. House budget negotiators led by Democratic Rep. Ross Hunter sent an offer to the Senate Thursday morning. And the Senate was working to send back an answer, Senate Ways and Means Committee chairman Ed Murray, D-Seattle, said a few hours later.

Regional Political News »


Under the Dome