Port ordered to pay activists

OLYMPIA - The Port of Olympia must pay about $56,000 in legal fees and costs to activists who sued for records related to a contractual agreement to bring Weyerhaeuser's log-export business here a few years ago, a judge ruled Friday.

Man gets $4 million after jail beating

A man who suffered permanent brain damage from a beating by his cellmate at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton has received a $4 million settlement from the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Governor opposes delay in WASL math and science testing

SEATTLE - Gov. Chris Gregoire said Thursday she opposes state schools chief Randy Dorn's proposal to delay the requirement for students to pass math and science tests to graduate, because the state's economy depends on Washington students leaving high school well trained in both subjects.

State revenue drops $760 million in latest forecast

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington's state checkbook has lost another $760 million, pushing the state's budget deficit past $2 billion through mid-2011.
• The Politics Blog: State's projected budget deficit hits $2.6B

State budget gap widens

An additional $760 million in hoped-for state revenue evaporated in the latest economic forecast, and lawmakers began talking up the pros and cons of tax increases to help plug a budget shortfall now estimated at $2.7 billion.

Wage confusion sets back program for weatherization

Washington’s home-weatherization efforts have fallen at least two months behind goals set under the federal stimulus aid, the result of a mix-up over conflicting wage requirements under federal and state laws.

State: Assistance program overhaul to save $40 million

State officials say they have overhauled the controversial General Assistance Unemployable program, which gives cash and medical aid to people whose disabilities prevent them from working.