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State Government

WA Capitol demonstrations, then and now

WA Capitol demonstrations, then and now

Over the decades, Washington’s Capitol has seen its share of protests and demonstrations. Several times each year, groups gather on the steps of the Legislative Building to exercise their rights and let others know how they feel. The two photos here capture how times have changed in terms of dress. The above photo, taken in 1948, shows a group of senior citizens carrying petition sheets and demonstrating in favor of Initiative 172, the Citizens’ Security Act of 1948. (Voters approved…

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How WA Legislature looked a century ago

How WA Legislature looked a century ago

Members of the 1915 House of Representatives. (Image courtesy State Digital Archives) Political junkies and Olympia-watchers know plenty about today’s Washington Legislature, its key players, accomplishments and points of disagreement. What was our state Legislature like a century ago? What kind of people served as legislators? What were their backgrounds? What bills did they pass? The State Library has a book that answers these and other questions. It’s called “The Fourteenth Session: A Brief History of the Men who represented…

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From the Archives: When 2001 Legislature had a shake-up

From the Archives: When 2001 Legislature had a shake-up

This photo shows damage to the Legislative Building caused by the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake. (Photos courtesy Washington State Archives) Fifteen years ago this week, the Legislature was forced to find a temporary home, courtesy of the Nisqually Earthquake. The magnitude 6.8 quake occurred late in the morning on Feb. 28, 2001, lasting about 45 seconds. The Legislature was in action that day when the tremor hit. The Senate was in the midst of Democratic and Republican Caucus meetings when the shaking…

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CFD: ‘Dynasty of Giving’

CFD: ‘Dynasty of Giving’

Combined Fund Drive staff with Gov. Inslee. (Photos courtesy of CFD) State employees in Washington continue to show their generosity and willingness to help their communities. For 12 years, state employees have given more than $5 million annually through the Washington State Combined Fund Drive. This incredible trend continued in 2015, with donors pledging another $5.2 million to local, national and global charities. More than 17,000 donors pledged to give through their paychecks, making it the highest number of donors…

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Wyman certifies Initiative 732, sending it to Legislature

Wyman certifies Initiative 732, sending it to Legislature

Secretary of State Kim Wyman has certified Initiative to the Legislature 732, which deals with carbon taxes. It was a close call, though, despite sponsors turning in 363,126 signatures, nearly 120,000 more than the bare number of valid voter signatures required (246,372). That’s because an unusually high error rate was discovered when election crews checked a 3 percent random sample of 11,061 signatures.  The error rate was 27.59 percent, well above the historic average of 18 percent. That was due…

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Wyman touts voter pre-registration for 17-year-olds

Wyman touts voter pre-registration for 17-year-olds

Secretary of State Kim Wyman, the state’s chief elections official, is proposing voter pre-registration for 17-year-olds as part of high school history and civics classes and events coordinated by the 39 county election offices. The legislation, HB2707/SB6340, was introduced in both chambers Tuesday with bipartisan support. The prime sponsors are Rep. Steve Bergquist, D-Renton, and Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, with members from all four caucuses signing on. “We are excited at the prospect of expanding our outreach to young people…

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WA lawmakers convene 2016 session

WA lawmakers convene 2016 session

The 2016 election-year session of the Washington Legislature is under way. Gavels fell at noon to usher in a 60-day session, with lawmakers expressing hope that there will be no need for overtime. Last year they went into triple overtime that lasted until July. House Speaker Frank Chopp quoted Majority Leader Pat Sullivan: If the Seattle Seahawks could pull off a miraculous victory Sunday, surely the Legislature can wrap it up in 60 days. It’s true that there are a…

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Eyman and his nemesis file dueling initiatives

Eyman and his nemesis file dueling initiatives

Flanked by Mike and Jack Fagan, Tim Eyman files his latest anti-tax initiative. Andrew Villeneuve, an Eyman opponent who also filed an initiative Wednesday, stands in the background. Initiative king Tim Eyman visited our Capitol office to file his statewide initiative to the 2016 Legislature that would limit the duration of tax increases to one year if not approved by either a supermajority of the Legislature, or by voters. But minutes before Eyman’s arrival, his liberal nemesis, Northwest Progressive Institute’s…

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The 1890 vote that decided Washington’s capital

The 1890 vote that decided Washington’s capital

(Images courtesy of Washington State Archives) Unlike this year, Washington voters in 1890 weren’t pondering initiatives on making it harder to raise taxes or protecting endangered species.  (We couldn’t even vote on statewide initiatives back then!) One issue that statewide voters did consider on this date 125 years ago would have enormous impact on Washington: Which city should be the young state’s capital? The three finalists were Ellensburgh (yes, there was an “H” on the end back then), North Yakima…

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