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State Republican leaders pull plug on 2014 party convention

May 21, 2013
State Republican leaders pull plug on 2014 party convention

By KELSEY WILSON Freedom Foundation Intern Washington State Republican Party leaders, citing cost and redundancy, have decided to cancel their state convention for 2014 and instead hold a statewide conference. “It’s extremely expensive, there is no national race and no presidential election,” said Party Chair Kirby Wilbur. “It would be much better spending our...
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Roach wants to clarify laws regarding recall of public officials

May 17, 2013
Roach wants to clarify laws regarding recall of public officials

Citing the convoluted process by which voters are currently attempting to recall the Pierce County auditor-treasurer and the city of Pacific’s mayor, the Senate Law and Justice Committee on Thursday held hearings aimed at establishing a coherent set of rules for removing a public official from office. Because of a lack of clarity in...
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Senator’s plan would make Washington a right-to-work state

May 15, 2013
Senator’s plan would make Washington a right-to-work state

For The Olympia Report Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) on Wednesday announced a strategy that would help Washington retain and grow thousands of Boeing aerospace jobs by introducing legislation to make Washington a right-to-work state if worker’s compensation insurance rates continue to increase. Baumgartner, who serves on the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee, said...
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Owen wants Dems to end Carrell’s vote-by-proxy privilege

May 10, 2013
Owen wants Dems to end Carrell’s vote-by-proxy privilege

Washington State Lt. Gov. Brad Owen said on Thursday one possible solution for the difference of opinion over the budget that’s made necessary a 30-special session would be for Democrats to stop extending the courtesy of a proxy vote to ailing GOP Sen. Mike Carrell. “At some point … you might have to say...
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Clark GOP commissioners take heat for Benton appointment

May 9, 2013
Clark GOP commissioners take heat for Benton appointment

The Republican majority on the Clark County Board of Commissioners was subjected to several hours of vitriol stretching into the early hours of Tuesday morning from liberals incensed by the appointment of longtime 17th District State Sen. Don Benton to head the county’s Environmental Services Department. Commissioners Dave Madore and Tom Mielke agreed last...
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Panel will explore refinancing options for Narrows Bridge

May 1, 2013
Panel will explore refinancing options for Narrows Bridge

It isn’t as eye-catching as the bigger-ticket items in the package, but a component of the transportation budget bill passed by the Washington State Legislature last week calling for a work group to study refinancing options for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge could ultimately save toll payers millions on that project and be a model...
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Angel using down time to campaign for pivotal Senate seat

April 29, 2013
Angel using down time to campaign for pivotal Senate seat

Twenty-sixth District Rep. Jan Angel wasted no time transitioning from governing to campaign mode on Monday, launching her active bid to claim the Senate seat left vacant in November when Gig Harbor Democrat Derek Kilmer was elected to Congress, succeeding longtime U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks. Incumbent candidates are banned from raising money while the...
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Lawmakers leave without budget; extra session set for May 13

April 29, 2013
Lawmakers leave without budget; extra session set for May 13

Gov. Jay Inslee was forced to order a special session of the Washington State Legislature when lawmakers adjourned on Sunday far short of an agreement on a two-year budget. Republicans had urged the governor to start the extra session on Monday to underscore the urgency of completing the task as soon as possible. Democrats...
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GOP wants freedom of conscience protection for businesses

April 27, 2013
GOP wants freedom of conscience protection for businesses

A year ago, when lawmakers in Olympia were debating Washington’s same-sex marriage law, supporters of the bill defeated numerous amendments that would have protected the rights of private business owners — such as caterers and photographers — to decline service based on their religious convictions. “I believe the bill does a good job of...
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Inslee still considers DUI, gun control, abortion bills in play

April 24, 2013
Inslee still considers DUI, gun control, abortion bills in play

Even as the Washington State Legislature races to reconcile diametrically opposing views in the House and Senate regarding education, transportation and the operating budget in time to adjourn by Sunday, Gov. Jay Inslee signaled on Wednesday he still hasn’t given up on several pieces of social legislation that had been presumed dead. Asked if...
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