On gay marriage and other social issues, they are all in. And that's good. But what about paying for education, social services, investing in our future? Leave that to ... Bill Gates Sr.

How the 'Seattle Times' misread the state budget

Posted Fri, Feb 3, 2 a.m.

By Dick Nelson

The Times has criticized the legislature for its negligence in cutting budgets for higher education. Here's what they're missing about the state budget process.

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Prescription for abuse: difficulties for reform efforts

Posted Mon, Jan 23, 2 a.m.

By Carol Smith/Investigate West

Too many people are abusing painkillers, many of them young. Very few abusers are in treatment. And it won't be easy reversing a history of lax oversight.

Prescription for abuse: Washington tries to get serious

Posted Sun, Jan 22, midnight

By Carol Smith/Investigate West

Responding to concerns about excessive prescribing of drugs, Washington state has new rules in effect. But will it make a difference in a trend that is claiming more lives nationally, including among the young?

State recovery slowed by public sector job losses

Posted Fri, Jan 20, 2 a.m.

By John Stang

The cutting mantra is slowing Washington state's recovering, according to the state economist.

Are we the Barbarians we've been waiting for?

Posted Fri, Jan 20, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

The decline and fall of Seattle, the state, the empire.

Hi, my name is Washington, and I have a revenue problem

Posted Tue, Jan 17, 2 a.m.

By Dick Nelson

Gov. Gregoire has proposed a half cent sales tax increase to plug the growing gap between Washington's spending and revenue. Here's why we need a longer-term tax solution.

Beyond church-state separation: a fresh role for religion in public life

Posted Thu, Jan 12, 2 a.m.

By Anthony B. Robinson

Whether shaped by religious faith or not, our world views are relevant to how we make public choices as well as personal ones.

As numbers of uninsured rise, health cuts concerns mount

Posted Wed, Jan 11, 2 a.m.

By John Stang

A doctor tells legislators: Yes, the lack of insurance does cause deaths. The lawmakers got an early briefing on declining access to health care, which could worsen with further state budget cuts.

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Bright spot: Washington wins federal award for insuring kids

Posted Thu, Jan 5, 11:30 a.m.

By Judy Lightfoot

Tens of thousands more children have health insurance now, despite the state's having reached the grim milestone of 1 million uninsured residents last year. Washington is also the only Western state to win federal awards in 2011 for both early learning and children's insurance programs.

Washington's Senate will be the battleground for legalizing gay marriage

Posted Wed, Jan 4, 3:41 p.m.

By John Stang

Gov. Chris Gregoire called for gay-marriage bills to be introduced in the Washington House and Senate next week, but some lawmakers say the legislation will need to win more votes to pass in the Senate.

Unkindest cuts in Olympia: Kate's story

Posted Wed, Jan 4, 2 a.m.

By Dick Nelson

While Occupy protesters were in Olympia, the quiet testimony of a disabled woman named Kate put a human face on the drastic cuts the legislature and the governor are contemplating.

Why liberalism is dead here: pandering and premature capitulation

Posted Tue, Jan 3, 2 a.m.

By Brendan Williams

What's the matter with Washington? An ex-legislator decries the way Democrats roll over without a fight, pass bogus budgets, and then claim Tim Eyman made them do it.

Best of 2011: Scientists zero in on culprits behind Puget Sound water problems

Posted Fri, Dec 30, 2 a.m.

By Lisa Stiffler

New studies of where pollutants originate give scientists a clearer idea of where problems lie. Who knew that so much trouble comes from forest lands?

The Legislature adjourns - and kicks the tough questions down the road, again

Posted Fri, Dec 16, 2 a.m.

By Dick Nelson

Bookkeeping gimmicks, calendar juggling, and one-time windfalls won't patch up the state budget for long. But at least the special session laid some groundwork for serious work next time.

Legislature likely to leave some pink slips before holidays

Posted Sun, Dec 11, 12:15 p.m.

By Austin Jenkins

Halfway through their special session, lawmakers aren't following Gov. Chris Gregoire's suggestions for budget action. But some action can be expected before Christmas.

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Cutting-edge research is whittled by state

Posted Wed, Nov 30, 2 a.m.

By John Stang

The state's Life Sciences Discovery Fund grew out of the tobacco settlement with big hopes for promoting health and jobs in Washington. But even with employment looking good in the biotechnology area, politicians are pulling back on investment.

Gregoire tax package deserves legislature's OK

Posted Mon, Nov 28, 2 a.m.

By Dick Nelson

Will Republicans act on state needs or be hobbled by anti-tax pledges? Former GOP governors could make a difference on the side of responsible action.

Instead of cutting the cities' revenue share, should we trim some special districts?

Posted Tue, Nov 22, noon

By Reuven Carlyle

A profusion of special purpose districts collect state money and taxes for everything from mosquito control to 'television reception improvement'. Cities and counties might do their jobs better, for less.

Washington Governor Blog posts

Last chance for some late election shuffles

Posted Sat, Feb 4, 11:11 a.m.

by David Brewster

The Republicans need a good candidate for the new 1st Congressional District, and the Democrats need a better gubernatorial candidate. Answers below.

Legislature looks other way on the budget

Posted Thu, Jan 26, 4:15 p.m.

by Jason Mercier/Washington Policy Center

The governor might start to consider whether she needs to provide an incentive to take the state's fiscal picture more seriously.

Gregoire presents early Christmas present to reformers

Posted Fri, Dec 16, 2 a.m. 2011

by Jason Mercier/Washington Policy Center

The governor's press conference unveiled strong moves for leaner management and a push toward privatization of the lottery. In addition, a number of senators from both parties are working on a constitutional amendment to block initiatives that require spending but fail to provide the needed funding.

What is the Legislature's thinking in ending its session?

Posted Wed, Dec 14, 2:15 p.m. 2011

by Jason Mercier/Washington Policy Center

Perhaps Europe is about to enjoy a sudden economic revival that will sweep its good tidings here? Otherwise, this failure to act more concretely on the budget is another sign of the need to give the governor more budget-cutting discretion.

Midday Scan: Inslee's inconvenient truth; Locke tells truth in China; school's junk food policy doubted

Posted Mon, Dec 12, 11 a.m. 2011

by Pete Jackson

The election is nearly a year away, but the Inslee campaign for governor already looks like a sure loser against Rob McKenna. Should Inslee quit Congress to try to pull it out? And, there is almost equal doubt about the effectiveness of the Seattle Public Schools' stance against junk food in high schools.

New 737 battle: Gregoire makes a move

Posted Wed, Nov 16, 4 p.m. 2011

by Matt Fikse

A new study shows opportunities for the state to improve its chances of landing the next generation Boeing 737 MAX but Texas shapes up as a tough competitor.

Senators seek wide review of proposal for shipping coal to China

Posted Tue, Nov 8, 6:30 a.m. 2011

by Floyd McKay

The mostly Democratic state senators want consideration of the effects on communities along the rail route to the proposed terminal near Bellingham.

An ill wind blows out of Olympia

Posted Fri, Nov 4, 3 p.m. 2011

by David Brewster

Pity the state government. But your real worry should be about municipalities, who are going to be stuck with their own excesses and the problems of the states.

Midday Scan: Thursday's top stories around the region

Posted Thu, Oct 27, 11 a.m. 2011

by Pete Jackson

Gregoire wades into more budget cuts; finger pointing at Monroe Penitentiary; rising count for homeless students in Seattle Schools; an unadmiring portrait of the powerful Kemper Freeman and family; and a Viadoom report.

Midday Scan: Thursday's top stories around the region

Posted Thu, Sep 29, 11 a.m. 2011

by Pete Jackson

A daughter's powerful letter about the still-unsolved assassination of her father, federal prosecutor Thomas Wales; senatorial politics; raw political maneuvering in Snohomish County; Gregoire vs. liquor privatization.