Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday for some but a regular workday for the 60th legislature and the beginning of week two of the 2007 legislative session. At 1:30 p.m. today in the Senate Higher Education Committee, UW President Mark Emmert is scheduled to appear to discuss the findings of our “Meeting… Read More

Sen. Karen Fraser (D-Olympia), Vice Chair for Capital on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Rep. Bill Fromhold (D-Vancouver) Chair of the House Capital Budget Committee have agreed to sponsor the UW’s local debt authority bills in their respective chambers. The legislation would expand the UW and WSU’s ability to issue bonds or other… Read More

Governor Gregoire delivered her “State of the State” address to a packed chamber of legislators, statewide elected officials, Supreme Court justices, three former Governors and a myriad of other dignataries in Olympia this evening.  Among much pomp and circumstance, the Governor was greeted by several minutes of enthusiastic applause and cheers from the assembled Senators and… Read More

It’s only the first week of the legislative session, but UW faculty are already making their mark in the state capital. Tomorrow, Oceanography professor Miles Logsdon will make a presentation to the Select Committee on Puget Sound titled “Introduction to the Puget Sound and Its Environment.”  The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in House Hearing Room E…. Read More

Today is January 8 and the first day of the 2007 legislative session.  On a personal note, this is my 20th legislative session, fourth with the UW.  It’s really my 24th session if you count my four and a half years in the state of California. Every year on the first day of session, I’m always… Read More

Yakima County commissioners agreed with local Republican precinct committee officers today and appointed Rep. Jim Clements (R-Selah) to replace Sen. Alex Deccio (R-Yakima) in the Washington State Senate.  Clements, who announced earlier this year he would not run for re-election to his House seat served in the legislature from the 14th district for 12 years. Deccio announced… Read More

Yesterday, Governor Gregoire and key state legislative leaders met with state capital reporters at the annual Associated Press “pre-session” forum in Olympia.  The 105-day session begins next Monday January 8, and most of the discussion at yesterday’s gathering focused on writing the $30 billion biennial operating budget. Democratic leaders Rep. Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) and Sen. Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) predicted… Read More

Happy New Year to all Capitol Update blog readers.  It’s cold, wet and rainy in Olympia today which can mean only one thing — the legislative session is just around the corner. Here’s an interesting story from David Ammons of the Associated Press and the dean of Olympia political reporters that stems from a new ranking… Read More

I will be away from the State Relations Blog for several days over the holidays.  Have a wonderful holiday season and we’ll see you after the New Year.

Senate Republicans announced their 2007 committee assignments on Thursday December 21 according to a press release issued by Republican leader Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla). Joining four Senate Democrats (Sen. Paull Shin, Chair, Sen. Derek Kilmer, Vice Chair, Sen. Jean Berkey and Sen. Tim Sheldon) on the new Senate Higher Education Committee will be Sen. Jerome Delvin (R-Richland)… Read More