In 2009, when asked about the constitutionality of Obamacare, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi responded, “Are you serious?” In 2010, she was swept from power as her party lost 63 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. One of the first changes made by Republicans in January 1011 was to adopt a rule that requires bill sponsors to provide

Here is a snap shot of how the state budget agreement is playing across the state: Transparency “Everybody was for transparency – the open discussion and full vetting of the issues contained in legislation – in January. It’s similar to the way every baseball fan thinks his team has a shot at the World Series in April. By the time

Former congressman and Democratic candidate for Washington State governor Jay Inslee may have put himself at odds with a prominent Seattle liberal politics blog for his campaign’s out of context use of a Publicola headline in two negative web ads in less than a month. The Inslee campaign’s second use of the misleading headline from Publicola’s March 5 story “‘Education

Based on an email update from Washington Education Association (WEA) President Mary Lindquist, it looks like Washington school children will soon be learning a new version of “how a bill becomes a law.” Here is what she told WEA members: “Forget that Schoolhouse Rock jingle on how a bill becomes a law. Not so. Take the two major bills focusing

When the Washington State Legislature closed its third special session Tuesday with the crack of a gavel, the sharp report heard in the Capitol could also be heard as the firing of a starter’s pistol at the beginning of open field fundraising in dozens of state races, most notably the race for Washington State Governor. State law makes it illegal

Here is the evolution of the 2012 supplemental budget: Democrat proposals *Governor Gregoire (11/21/11): Spending – $29.989 billion ($330 million delayed k-12 apportionment); Total reserves – $602 million House (2/21): Spending – $30.661 billion ($330 million delayed k-12 apportionment); Total reserves – $504 million House (2/25): Spending – $30.725 billion ($330 million delayed k-12 apportionment); Total reserves – $454 million

Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water I saw the balance sheet for the compromise budget: $319 million total reserves for $31.121 billion of spending or 1% of spending (includes $265 million of restricted constitutional reserve) Unrestricted ending fund balance of $54 million (0.2% of spending) Unrestricted ending fund balance minus new accounting change

Though it took an early morning 2nd Special Session, lawmakers finally approved a revised 2011-13 budget but more importantly adopted several significant structural reforms. 201 days ago the Governor held a press conference calling on lawmakers to balance the state’s budget. At midnight this morning she called the 3rd Special Session to achieve this goal and the 2nd Special Session

In the midst of the hectic world around them, the Platt family starts each day by sitting down to a hot breakfast and the newspaper, and the kids are no exception. That’s how Mackenzie Platt first heard about online public school. A fourth-grader brimming with potential, Mackenzie was bored in school. She was tired of having to work on the

Based on the details of the House budget released today hopes of a grand budget compromise being within reached are quickly evaporating. Here is a quick cheat sheet on the last two budget proposals: House 4/4 budget: Spending – $31.102 billion; Ending fund balance – $70 million; Total Reserves – $336 million (or 1% of spending) Senate 3/15 budget: Spending

SEATTLE — The independent Washington News Council delivered a harsh referendum to Seattle National Public Radio affiliate KUOW-FM after a formal hearing held Saturday on the main campus of the University of Washington, a proceeding designed to put to rest a yearlong complaint procedure initiated by The Vitae Foundation after the airing of a news piece last April. The majority

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there is no balanced budget requirement in Washington State. The Governor is required to propose a balanced budget (RCW 43.88.030) and if at any time a cash deficit is projected the Governor is required to immediately implement across the board cuts (RCW 43.88.110), but the Legislature is not required to

The Washington News Council Board of Directors will hold a hearing Saturday morning on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington on an ethics complaint made against National Public Radio affiliate KUOW-FM Seattle, the proceedings to be presided over by former Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander. With tomorrow’s hearing, the WNC seeks to offer closure—though its

Over the course of a year-long political race, campaigns work hard to develop a positive connection with voters on critical issues. They work twice as hard to portray their opponent as being on the wrong side of those issues. On the best of days for a candidate, when events and geography intersect, the opponent does your job for you. For

That’s what a visibly irritated Governor Gregoire said during a March 15 press conference: (Click here for video) According to the Office of Financial Management, however, that figure was based on the Governor’s November budget being implemented as proposed. With changes in caseloads, the revenue forecast and actions taken in December the savings lost figure isn’t that high but there

Former Democratic congressman and Washington State gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee has made another Crazy Ivan maneuver, doubling back on his rejection of a June 12 debate against his Republican opponent Rob McKenna before the Association of Washington Business. From Wednesday’s The Seattle Times: After earlier rejecting the debate, claiming AWB had acted in bad faith and conspired with Attorney General

Today marks day 188 since Governor Gregoire called on lawmakers to balance the budget. Based on this report from the Associated Press, surpassing 200 days without a balanced budget doesn’t seem too far fetched: “The special session is now more than half over, and legislative action thus far has been ‘pro forma,’ meaning no floor votes or committee meetings have

Two-time Democratic congressional candidate Darcy Burner is used to boiling her own pot of hot water to bathe in, it now appears she has drawn another steeping tub of it this election season with Twitter messages made last year saying President Barack Obama is not liberal enough to be considered a Democrat. On Tuesday, Seattle-based liberal blog Publicola published up