State lawmakers vote 'no' on flaws, 'yes' to photo retouching

In a note digitally embedded in the photo of State Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver — now posted on the Legislature’s website — a legislative staffer conveyed how Benton “would like to slightly ‘fix’ a few things about his picture.”

Inslee signs Facebook job password bill

SEATTLE — Washington became the fifth state this year to sign into law protections of social media passwords at the workplace and job interviews.

No raise for Inslee, commission decides

Gov. Jay Inslee isn’t getting a pay raise this year, nor in 2014. But the nine members of the state Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Barbara Madsen will get raises Sept. 1 — and their salaries will rise above even that of the governor.

State wins foster child ruling

The state will not have to return 15 troubled foster teens it removed because of safety concerns from three private facilities, including one in Lacey, a Thurston County Superior Court judge has ruled in part of an ongoing lawsuit.

UW, WSU coaches earn highest state salaries

Just as he was the previous two years, University of Washington football coach Steve Sarkisian was the top paid employee on the Washington state government’s payroll in 2012.

Traffic, debt can affect bridge tolls

With tolls expected to increase a total of 50 cents on the eastbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge over the next two summers, drivers face a hard reality.

Bill-job conflict: It’s routine in Olympia

Rep. Steve Kirby says he kept busy during the Legislature’s brief hiatus this month by training for his new job at a Tacoma-area credit union.

Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012

WASHINGTON — Senior Treasury officials were made aware in June 2012 that investigators were looking into complaints from tea party groups that they were being harassed by the Internal Revenue Service, a Treasury inspector general said Friday, disclosing that Obama administration officials knew there was a probe during the heat of the presidential campaign.

Senate majority names 33 bills for budget talks

OLYMPIA, Wash. — As lawmakers wrap up their first week of a special legislative session, Senate majority leaders have asked that more than 30 bills be considered as part of the budget discussions.

Tougher Washington law against drunken boating

Boaters in Washington who operate under the influence face tougher penalties under a law signed Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee.