Two state lawmakers push to give adopted youths easier access to birth records

Giving adopted children in Washington state greater access to their birth records is an idea that hits close to home for state Reps. Tina Orwall and Ann Rivers.

Judges’ lobby stops stalking bill

A bill that would offer greater protections for stalking victims will not get a full hearing by the Legislature after an intense lobbying campaign by state judges.

Under the Dome: Legistlative highlight for Feb. 10

Some lawmakers say gay-marriage votes reflected the will of constituents

To understand the “no” vote cast on same-sex marriage by Rep. Steve Kirby, a Tacoman who usually sides with his fellow Democrats, look at how the people in his district voted in 2009 on the successful referendum giving gay couples “everything but marriage.”

Legislature likely won't fast-track pot legalization before election, supporters say

An initiative to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in Washington probably won’t get fast-tracked by the Legislature before it sees the ballot this fall, the campaign supporting it says.

Two state lawmakers push to give adopted youths easier access to birth records

Giving adopted children in Washington state greater access to their birth records is an idea that hits close to home for state Reps. Tina Orwall and Ann Rivers.

Judges’ lobby stops stalking bill

A bill that would offer greater protections for stalking victims will not get a full hearing by the Legislature after an intense lobbying campaign by state judges.

Under the Dome: Legistlative highlight for Feb. 10

Some lawmakers say gay-marriage votes reflected the will of constituents

To understand the “no” vote cast on same-sex marriage by Rep. Steve Kirby, a Tacoman who usually sides with his fellow Democrats, look at how the people in his district voted in 2009 on the successful referendum giving gay couples “everything but marriage.”

Herrera Beutler getting positive attention in 2nd year in Congress

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler says she knows why 10 percent of Americans approve of Congress, a rating that she jokingly says puts lawmakers on par with the popularity of the late Moammar Gadhafi.

Legislature likely won't fast-track pot legalization before election, supporters say

An initiative to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in Washington probably won’t get fast-tracked by the Legislature before it sees the ballot this fall, the campaign supporting it says.

House approves gay-marriage bill; governor's signature awaits

Washington is one step closer to legalizing gay marriage, and also to a citizen referendum against it, after the state House approved a same-sex marriage proposal Wednesday.

Under the Dome: Legislative highlights for Feb. 9

For additional coverage of the Legislature, go to www.theolympian.com/ underthedome.

Bill would create statewide program to collect unused prescription medicines

SEATTLE — Hoping to stem what they say is a rising tide of prescription drug abuse and accidental poisonings, Washington legislators want to require drug makers to set up and pay for a statewide program to collect unused prescription drugs and other medicine.

Medicaid to stop covering visits to ER later deemed 'unnecessary'

Medicaid soon won’t cover emergency-room treatment that state officials decide afterward was “not medically necessary.”