The 2007 population estimates prepared each year by the Office of Financial Management (OFM) were released yesterday and it shows Washington state’s population has surged to about 6.5 million as of April 1 this year.  The represents an additional 112,400 residents or 1.8 percent over the previous year. According to OFM analysts, about two thirds… Read More

Governor Christine Gregoire has announced the appointment of Jody Erickson and Michael Hughes of The Keystone Center as mediators for the State Route 520 bridge replacement project.  The appointment of a mediator was called for in Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6099 which was signed into law in May 2007. The Keystone Center is a Colorado based firm. … Read More

One of the first things I tried to figure out when I was selected for this position three and a half years ago (has it been that long?) was which state elected officials have degrees from the University of Washington?  Most all of the other flagship universities around the country keep close track of this… Read More

Just finished saying so long to ten members of the House Appropriations Committee who visited the Seattle campus today to learn more about some high profile initiatives recently funded in the 2007 legislative session.  Committee chair Rep. Helen Sommers (D-Seattle) was joined by Vice Chair Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish), Rep. Lynn Kessler (D-Hoquiam), Rep. Skip… Read More

Some disturbing news from the state capital surfaced early this week with the announcement that the Liberty Cafe located on the main floor of the Pritchard Library will close next Friday June 29th.  The eatery which serves as a quasi- “town square” during annual legislative sessions apparently can’t make a financial go of things due… Read More

Today’s Olympian has a story about a new hire at WSU.  In an interview with the Associated Press yesterday, President Elson Floyd announced the hiring of John C. Gardner to become WSU’s new Vice President for Economic Development and Extension.  Gardner worked with Floyd at the University of Missouri and his job will be focused… Read More

I’m still “on call” for jury duty but haven’t been summoned to the courthouse today so I thought I’d post a couple of items you might find interesting. The state Department of Revenue (DOR) issued a press release yesterday that indicates that Washington residents pay less state and local tax relative to their incomes than residents in… Read More

I will be on jury duty for the next several days and away from the blog during that time.

State Senator Lisa Brown (D-Spokane), Majority Leader of the Senate is leading the state delegation to the 47th Paris Air Show.  The June 18-19 event is held annually and Governor Chris Gregoire tapped the Spokane democrat to lead this year’s Washington contingent, which also includes Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. Washington State is home to the largest number of… Read More

The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council met today in Olympia to adopt the most recent forecast of state general fund revenue collections.  At the meeting, the Council approved the new forecast which calls for the state to collect an additional $484 million above what was predicted last March. Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, the state’s chief… Read More