Inslee Comes to Vancouver to Talk Education
Features
Why are Special Interest Groups Picking on Steve Hobbs? – Doorbelling Blitz Begins in Moderate Democrat’s District More Than a Year Before Election
The next election is more than a year away, but that hasn’t stopped the Washington Education Association and the Washington Community Action Network from doorbelling Steve Hobbs’ district and spreading the bad word about the centrist Democratic senator. Hobbs finds himself in the cross-hairs once again. And you might think the stage is being set for a repeat of 2010, when a coalition of progressive groups came close to knocking him off. Hobbs has every right to be worried: When you stand in the middle, you stand alone.
It’s Do or Die Time for Inslee – Special Session Offers Chance for Reset
After a disastrous regular legislative session, Gov. Jay Inslee seems to want to turn things around when lawmakers return to town May 13. Let’s not sugar-coat things — the new governor’s first 102 days were nothing to celebrate, and the Legislature basically proved that when there is a vacuum at the top, it is happy to fill it. No bold agenda, no budget, significant policy failures — no wonder the governor seems to be announcing there will be a New Inslee when lawmaking resumes. He’ll have 30 days to make himself a player.
Judge Tosses a Rule That Keeps Retailers Out of the Restaurant Biz – and Returns Spotlight to Legislature’s Most Spirited Battle
A Thurston County Superior Judge has thrown out a rule written by the state Liquor Control Board that aimed to protect the role of liquor distributors in Washington’s brave new world of privatized booze sales. It’s one small step for the coalition of restaurateurs and retailers who pushed Washington’s precedent-setting Initiative 1183 back in 2011, which closed the state’s liquor stores and aimed to establish a competitive marketplace unlike any other in the country. But a pitched battle is under way in the Legislature and will continue when lawmakers return.
Republicans Blast Inslee Decision to Take Long Recess – Say Lawmakers Should Remain at Desks
Republicans said Gov. Jay Inslee is doing the state a disservice by letting his people go and easing up on the pressure for a session-ending deal. But what was interesting to see in the press releases from the Democratic side of the aisle was not a word from the House Ds, whose 55 votes will give the governor muscle. They’re letting the governor do the talking. Here’s Washington State Wire’s press-release roundup — a frank and open exchange of views about a session that really hasn’t come to a conclusion.
Regular Session Ends Sunday Night With Biggest Battles Ahead – Inslee Removes Pressure by Calling Special Session for May 13
Gov. Jay Inslee calls a special session for May 13, a curious decision that removes all pressure for lawmakers to reach a deal on the state budget anytime soon. In a news conference Sunday night after the final gavels fell to end the 105-day regular legislative session, the governor said he expects budget negotiators for the Democratic House and the Republican-leaning Senate to make significant progress while rank-and-file lawmakers return home for R&R. More important: The governor appears to be signaling he hopes to be a player, not a referee.
Lawmakers Set to Adjourn Today With Their Most Important Work Undone
On the penultimate day of the Legislature’s 105-day regular session, not a whole lot was going on. But at least lawmakers were owning up to the truth everyone has known deep down for more than a week. There’s no possible way they’re going to get done on time, and they’re going to be coming back for a special session. Exactly when is the only remaining question.
Senate Majority Coalition Blasts Special Session Plans, Says Possible Break Might be Used for Political Fund-Raising
Members of the Senate Majority Coalition staged a pre-emptive strike on Gov. Jay Inslee Thursday, blasting plans for a layoff between the regular session and an all-but-certain special session – even before anything has been announced. They say that if Inslee allows lawmakers to go home Monday, not only will he let up pressure for a budget deal — he’ll also be giving Democrats a chance to raise money for political campaigns. Trouble with that argument is it goes both ways. Senate Republicans have planned a fund-raiser Monday.
As House Democrats Pass a $900 Million Tax Increase, Governor Throws a Monkey Wrench
While the state House staged a lengthy debate Wednesday on a $900 million tax bill that staked out the Democratic position on the budget, the real drama was playing out in the Capitol’s conference rooms. Gov. Jay Inslee declared that the Legislature must swallow a set of highly partisan policy bills in addition to any deal it works out on the budget – and Republicans choked. You better believe there’s going to be a special session. But the real question is whether there’s going to be any compromising going on.
Consensus Builds Around Dan Kristiansen as House Republican Leader
Top Republicans say consensus seems to be forming around Dan Kristiansen as new leader of the House Republican Caucus. A week after longtime minority leader Richard DeBolt stepped down from the leadership post due to health reasons, Republicans have set a reorganizational meeting for May 10. But acting leader Joel Kretz says Kristiansen’s support seems firm enough that some members now are saying the meeting ought to be held sooner rather than later.