Governor signs Haugen’s local water-sewer district fix

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed into law a bill to help a local San Juan Island water-sewer district ensure that its commissioner seat does not go vacant. more>>>

Oemig knocks another block out of the impeachment dam

OLYMPIA – Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, brought the reality of the Iraq war to the floor of the state Senate in an emotional speech on Thursday, and reminded his colleagues that the commander in chief can be relieved of duty. more>>>

Public servants serving as volunteer firefighters receive governor’s support

OLYMPIA – A bill allowing state employees serving as firefighters and emergency responders to get to a medical emergency or fire without employer impediment was signed into law yesterday. The bill passed unanimously out of both legislative bodies. more>>>

Kilmer bills on permitting, construction and infrastructure await signature

OLYMPIA — Permitting processes would be more open under a bill passed today by the state Senate and sent to the governor for her signature. Senate Bill 5508, sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, would improve government services while furthering local economic growth. more>>>

State workers who serve as volunteer fire fighters receive employer support

OLYMPIA – State employees who also serve as volunteer firefighters received the green light to respond to the call of duty, thanks to the passage today of Senate Bill 5511, requiring state agencies to release an employee when called upon to respond to a medical emergency or a natural disaster. more>>>

Senate passes Kilmer bills to make government more responsive

OLYMPIA — Public employees and citizens would find it easier to report waste and abuse in government, and permit applicants would receive better information and more predictability when seeking a building permit, under a pair of bills passed recently by the Senate. more>>>

Pridemore named to audit panel

OLYMPIA – When it comes to state spending, Washington taxpayers want the most bang for their buck. Since 1990, the state Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) has performed 170 audits and reviews of state programs, yielding savings of approximately $536 million in one-time and ongoing saving. more>>>

Volunteer firefighters want to receive an ‘all clear’ signal from state agencies

OLYMPIA – Like the medical reserve corps, volunteer firefighters are an integral part of emergency response teams. Emergencies can range from childbirth to power outages to wildfires. Many volunteer firefighters are also state employees and want make sure that employers are supportive of their willingness to serve as emergency responders. more>>>

Memorial requesting presidential investigation to receive hearing

OLYMPIA – This week, the Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee will hold a public hearing on Senate Joint Memorial 8016. more>>>

Kauffman public records bill OK’d by Senate

OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate approved a bill today by Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, to examine exemptions to Washington’s public records law. more>>>

Senate passes ballot check-box bill

OLYMPIA – In the last primary election, more than 100,000 Washington voters were disenfranchised because of their failure to check the box indicating party affiliation. The Senate today passed legislation to prevent that from happening again. more>>>

Washington’s initiative process shouldn’t be dismantled

Our initiative and referendum process, enacted in 1912 by Washington’s voters, was one of the first forms of direct democracy in America. Even then, voters felt that special interest groups had the Legislature’s ear, leaving ordinary citizens feeling disenfranchised from the legislative branch of government. more>>>

Message to Congress: ‘Investigate this president’

OLYMPIA – Describing it as a way that the state Legislature can lobby the U.S. Congress to initiate the process that will provide answers about the invasion and occupation of Iraq, Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, has introduced a joint memorial that would petition Congress to conduct an investigation of the president and the vice president. more>>>

Sen. Oemig to Congress: ‘Put impeachment back on the table’

OLYMPIA – On Wednesday, the Washington Legislature will join legislatures in states such as California, New Mexico and Vermont in considering petitions to the U.S. Congress to put impeachment back on the Congressional agenda. more>>>

Local businesses and cities would benefit under Regala’s streamlined sales tax and use bill

OLYMPIA – It’s no secret that supporting local business benefits the community. After all, Washington businesses provide jobs, actively participate in community events and donate to local charities. Streamlining the administrative burden that Washington businesses face when they operate in multiple states would lend a helping hand to allow brick-and-mortar businesses to remain competitive. more>>>

Oemig bill to clean up judicial races to be heard

OLYMPIA – The Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee will hear a bill on Thursday, Jan. 25, designed to lessen the influence of special interest money on the outcome of judicial elections. more>>>

Elections package aims to ensure that all voices are heard

OLYMPIA – With the goal of ensuring that all voters’ voices are heard and all elections are fair, a group of Senate Democrats today laid out a package of elections legislation. more>>>

Elections bills to be unveiled

OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats will discuss a package of elections bills at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Majority Caucus Room of the Legislative Building. more>>>