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Legislature

SecState/Foley Institute Forum: Women & Politics

SecState/Foley Institute Forum: Women & Politics

State Rep. Maureen Walsh (left) answers a question from the audience as former Sen. Lisa Brown, political scientist Richard Fox, political consultant Cathy Allen and AP correspondent Rachel La Corte listen. The accomplishments — and continuing challenge — of women in politics and government in Washington were subject of a Capitol forum sponsored by WSU’s Foley Institute and Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Washington has been termed one of the best states for women to enter the political arena, and…

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Sid Snyder book launch draws Olympia movers & shakers

Sid Snyder book launch draws Olympia movers & shakers

Bette Snyder receives a standing ovation during book launch event honoring her husband, Sid. As a state senator, he was known for bringing together people from both parties and earning their respect and admiration. A launch event for a new book about Sid Snyder showed that the Senate legend can still attract people from both sides of the aisle. Nearly 100 people, including former Governor Dan Evans, the late Snyder’s former Senate colleagues, former and current legislative staffers, lobbyists and…

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Secretary Wyman certifies I-522 to lawmakers

Secretary Wyman certifies I-522 to lawmakers

The second of two initiatives to the 2013 Legislature has cleared the signature check process. The Secretary of State’s Election Division finished the review of Initiative 522 late Thursday afternoon. The official certification was then signed by Secretary of State Kim Wyman. I-522, sponsored by Chris McManus, concerns the labeling of genetically engineered foods. The initiative, also known as “The People’s Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act,” would require most raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, seeds and seed stocks,…

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I-517 signature check completed

I-517 signature check completed

The first of two initiatives to the Legislature has cleared a key hurdle after a signature check showed it has a sufficient number of signatures to advance to the Legislature for consideration. The Secretary of State’s Election Division finished the review of Tim Eyman’s latest initiative, I-517, Wednesday. Dubbed the “Protect the Initiative Act,” Eyman’s ballot offering would set penalties for interfering with or retaliating against signature-gatherers and petition-signers; require that all measures receiving sufficient signatures appear on the ballot;…

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Heritage Center, election bills top Wyman’s wishlist

Heritage Center, election bills top Wyman’s wishlist

Resuming the Washington State Heritage Center project and enacting election improvements are the centerpieces of new Secretary of State Kim Wyman’s legislative package. Wyman unveiled her 2013 legislative agenda in her office Friday morning during a gathering with members of the Capitol Press Corps. Wyman introduced several division directors and most of her executive team during the informal get-together with the media. The Heritage Center, which would house the State Archives, State Library, historical exhibits, an educational center and other…

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Kim Wyman sworn in as 15th WA Secretary of State

Kim Wyman sworn in as 15th WA Secretary of State

Kim Wyman has been inaugurated as Washington’s 15th Secretary of State, following a line of Republicans stretching back a half-century. Wyman is the only woman and only Republican elected to statewide executive office in the last election, only the second woman Secretary of State in Washington history, and the first woman Republican Secretary in the Evergreen State. Wyman took the oath of office shortly after noon on Wednesday, drawing cheers at a joint session of the House and Senate when…

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After 45 years in public life, Sam Reed bids farewell

After 45 years in public life, Sam Reed bids farewell

(Photo courtesy of  Legislative Support Services Photography) Secretary of State Sam Reed bade a fond farewell to the people of Washington Tuesday after 45 years in public life, including 35 years as a state and county elected official. Addressing a joint session of the Legislature, Reed brought along a special reminder of his family’s long connection to Washington politics and government — his grandfather Sam Sumner’s battered leather briefcase.  Exactly 100 years earlier, Sumner, a state GOP chairman and longtime…

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Signature check underway for Eyman’s I-517

Signature check underway for Eyman’s I-517

An Elections Division worker counts I-517 signatures in advance of Tuesday’s start of its signature check.  Signature checking begins soon for the two initiatives to the Legislature that were submitted to the state Elections Division by the Jan. 4 deadline. Signature checking for Initiative 517 starts Tuesday, and the signature check for I-522 is expected to commence around Friday. Initiative activist Tim Eyman is championing I-517, dubbed the “Protect the Initiative Act.” Eyman’s latest ballot offering would set penalties for…

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WA lawmakers off to dramatic start

WA lawmakers off to dramatic start

Washington’s 63rd Legislature is off to a dramatic start, with a coalition of minority Republicans banding with two dissident Democrats to take over control of the state Senate. The debate was fairly low-key. Despite having an elected majority in the upper chamber, the Democrats were left with little option but to accept that 23 Republicans had lined up support of fiscally conservative Democratic Sens. Rodney  Tom and Tim Sheldon to form the 25-member coalition to run the 49-member Senate. Democratic…

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100 years of women in WA Legislature

100 years of women in WA Legislature

                      (Images courtesy of Washington State Heritage Center and The Legacy Project) Monday’s start of the 2013 legislative session also marks the centennial of Washington installing the first female legislators. On Jan. 13, 1913, women entered Washington’s Legislature for the first time when Frances C. Axtell (1866-1953) and Nena Jolidon Croake  (1865-1934) took the oath of office along with 95 male colleagues in the House of Representatives. The two women…

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