Washington State Legislature

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.

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.

New Wash. Math Requirement May Delay Graduation For 3,730 High School Seniors

Ann Dornfeld — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:16:06 +0000

Two months before high school commencement, 9,083 seniors still haven’t passed Washington state’s new math graduation requirement.

Washington House Authorizes Fake Driver License Program Over Objections

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:52:22 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington House has voted to allow the Department of Licensing to continue to issue fictitious driver licenses to undercover police officers. But with new safeguards. Even so, the vote Tuesday came over the objections of some Republicans.

The Department of Licensing has issued so-called confidential driver licenses for decades. But it never had direct authorization from the legislature to do so.

Ask Governor Jay Inslee

Weekday with Steve Scher — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

It's getting down to the wire at the state capitol in Olympia, where lawmakers are working to pass a budget in the final weeks of the 105-day state Legislative session. Legislators are bargaining over how to best meet a state Supreme Court ruling to amply fund public education to the tune of $1 billion. There's also talk of toughening DUI laws, and a dispute over funding for the Columbia River Crossing in Southwest Washington. We'll ask Governor Jay Inslee about the latest news. Have a question for the governor? Call us at 206.543.5869 or send an email to weekday@kuow.org.

Roast Penguin? Jason Anthony On Antarctic Cuisine

Weekday with Steve Scher — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

What is there to eat in Antarctica? Not much, though you could try penguin. In 1897, stranded Captain Georges Lecointe said penguin tasted like “beef, odiferous cod fish and a canvas-backed duck, roasted together in a pot with blood and cod-liver oil for sauce.” Desperate and trapped Antarctic explorers have eaten all kinds of awful things. Author Jason Anthony explains the culinary lengths people will go to in order to survive.

Costly New Bridge Over Columbia River Spawns Ultimatum, Brinkmanship

Tom Banse — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:15:22 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. - A costly new interstate highway bridge over the Columbia River is spurring brinkmanship in Olympia. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined Democratic Governor Jay Inslee Wednesday to press state lawmakers to commit hundreds of millions dollars to the proposed new toll bridge between Portland and Vancouver, Washington.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee came out of a meeting between key state lawmakers and the U.S.

Adventures In Digestion With Mary Roach

Weekday with Steve Scher — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

How does the human digestive system actually work? Why can competitive eaters eat so much, so fast? Why do we like certain food textures better than others? Science writer Mary Roach is the author of books including “Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife" and "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers." She answers these questions and more in her latest book, “Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal."

Favorite Interviews: Comedian David Alan Grier And Chef Eddie Huang

Weekday with Steve Scher — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Our spring membership drive continues with two of our favorite recent interviews. First, we listen back to our conversation with actor and comedian David Alan Grier. He joined us in the studio to talk about his 30-year career in entertainment, from the theater to television's "In Living Color" to Broadway. Then, we revisit our talk with restaurateur Eddie Huang about food, hip-hop and the experience of growing up a first-generation immigrant in the US.