Austin Jenkins

Inslee Signs Law Allowing Fictitious Driver License Program To Continue

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:22:05 +0000

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has signed a law that will allow the state’s fictitious driver license program to continue – but only for undercover law enforcement activities. At the bill signing Inslee backed away from a previous statement that he would apply a broad definition of the term “law enforcement.”

Under the old program, the Central Intelligence Agency obtained 288 of these so-called confidential driver’s licenses from Washington’s Department of Licensing.

Draft Pot Rules Do Not Cap Grow Sizes Or Number Of Licenses

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:45:28 +0000

Washington’s Liquor Control Board has published 46-pages of proposed rules for the state’s new recreational marijuana market. But the regulations released Thursday are largely silent on two major issues: the number of business licenses that will be allowed and the size of marijuana grow operations.

The draft rules address marijuana producers, processors and retailers. On the production side, the Liquor Control Board proposes to ban outdoor marijuana grows.

Marijuana Draft Rules Already Face Opposition

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:48:22 +0000

Washington’s proposed marijuana rules aren’t even 24-hours old. But already critics are finding things not to like. The 46-pages of draft regulations were released Thursday and cover everything from where marijuana can be grown to the criminal backgrounds of license applicants.

Marijuana Quality Control Bible Nearing Completion

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Entrepreneurs who hope to cash in on legal marijuana will have some heavy reading to do Thursday. That’s when Washington’s Liquor Control Board is expected to release nearly 50 pages of proposed rules for growers, processors and retailers.

But it turns out that there’s another pot rulebook that’s also in development. It’s called the Cannabis Monograph.

Washington Courts Seek IT Security Review, Audit Following Breach

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:48:39 +0000

Washington’s court system will hire an outside expert to perform a computer security review and audit. The move follows a hacking incident – revealed last week - that exposed nearly a hundred Social Security numbers and perhaps up to a million driver license numbers. But now there’s another cyber security concern at Washington Courts.

The Washington Courts public website was hacked. But now the concern is for the state’s Judicial Information System.

Washington Governor Narrows Special Session Agenda

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:26:58 +0000

The Washington legislature is back in session – for a 30-day extra inning. Washington Governor Jay Inslee Monday narrowed his agenda to three key items: the budget, a roads-and- transit funding package and a crackdown on impaired drivers.

Governor Inslee says it’s time for compromise and consensus in the state Capitol.

Washington Special Session Starts With No Budget Deal

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:06:40 +0000

The Washington legislature reconvenes Monday for a 30-day special session. But there’s still no budget deal in sight – despite a two week break to negotiate.

Senate budget chair Andy Hill, a Republican, says both sides are “working in good faith.” But “true negotiations” have yet to begin.

Washington Courts Announce Potential Massive Data Breach

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:39:28 +0000

A hacking incident involving Washington’s court system could affect upwards of a million people. The Administrative Office of the Courts announced that hackers breached its public website sometime last fall or early this year and social security and potentially driver license numbers were accessed.

Here’s what the court system has established for certain: 94 social security numbers were obtained by hackers “fishing” for personal information.

The Influence Game: Wining And Dining Washington Lawmakers After Hours

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:01:49 +0000

In the first three months of this year, lobbyists in Washington state spent more than $200,000 on entertainment. Much of that money was spent to wine and dine state lawmakers during the just-concluded 105-day session. But what are lobbyists and their clients getting in exchange for picking up the tab?

After the legislative day ends up at the Capitol, it’s pretty common for some of the players to decamp. They go to one of a handful of usually higher-end Olympia establishments.

Washington Legislature Adjourns, But Not For Long

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:11:19 +0000

The Washington legislature has adjourned after a 105-day session. The final gavels fell just after 6 p.m. Sunday night.

“The 2013 regular session of the 63rd legislature is adjourned Sine Die," declared Lt. Gov. Brad Owen to applause.

But the adjournment won’t last long.