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State Government

House9 recount confirms narrow edge for Lathim

House9 recount confirms narrow edge for Lathim

Secretary of State Kim Wyman says the recount of the close primary vote in House District 9 in the sprawling six-county district showed that not a single vote changed from the original tally. That means former Franklin County Sheriff Richard Lathim’s 47-vote margin over Democrat Kenneth Caylor stands. Lathim advances to the General Election, taking on fellow Republican Mary Dye, who was appointed to the House earlier this year to replace Rep. Susan Fagan. The outcome will not affect the…

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Non-binding tax advisory votes headed to WA ballot

Non-binding tax advisory votes headed to WA ballot

Four tax advisory votes will be on the statewide ballot this fall, including the transportation funding package, marijuana tax changes and closure of several tax preferences, Secretary of State Kim Wyman says. The votes, which are nonbinding, are an opportunity for voters to express support or opposition to revenue provisions in bills that passed in the recent legislative sessions. Legislators are not required to do anything with the results. The advisory votes are mandated under Tim Eyman’s voter-approved I-960. This…

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Library Jewel #2: 1890 legislators’ signatures

Library Jewel #2: 1890 legislators’ signatures

As House and Senate negotiators try to reach a compromise on the next two-year state operating budget, our second Library Jewel for June has a nice legislative tie-in from yesteryear: an autograph album that contains the signatures of the members of the 1st Legislature of Washington, 1890. The image above shows signatures of (top to bottom) state Reps. Joseph C. Painter of Touchet, Walla Walla County, Harry Hamilton of Conconully, Okanogan County, and Henry B. Day of Dayton, Columbia County….

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June Archives Treasures: Vote, baby, vote!

June Archives Treasures: Vote, baby, vote!

Now that we’ve finished showcasing the June edition of the Archives Jewels, we’re ready for you to vote on your favorite.  Your three contestants are a collection of Washington State Ferries schedule pamphlets going back decades, documents on Washington’s first territorial prison and photos of the Spafford murals being removed from the House Gallery in 1993. You can pick your favorite by going to our online poll (below), which will be open until this Friday at 5 p.m. State Ferries…

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Archives Treasure #3: Photos of Spafford murals removal from House

Archives Treasure #3: Photos of Spafford murals removal from House

Workers remove one of the Spafford murals. (Photos courtesy Washington State Archives) In the long history of Olympia’s Legislative Building, you’d be hard-pressed to think of a more controversial set of artwork that once graced (some would say disgraced) its walls than the Spafford murals. Called the Twelve Labors of Hercules, they were created by artist Michael Spafford. Soon after the first murals appeared on the walls above the House Gallery in 1981, critics voiced displeasure over them. Some called…

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Historian/journalist John Hughes honored by state

Historian/journalist John Hughes honored by state

After being praised by Secretary Wyman (left), John C. Hughes addresses the crowd at a reception honoring him in Wyman’s office. (Photo courtesy of Laura Mott)  John C. Hughes was honored by the state Senate and Secretary of State Kim Wyman on Tuesday for his robust 50-year career in journalism and doing critically acclaimed oral history for Legacy Washington. A large delegation from Grays Harbor and dignitaries, colleagues and friends from Olympia filled the ornate Senate gallery as Sens. Jim…

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Apple Blossom Royalty visiting Olympia, now and then

Apple Blossom Royalty visiting Olympia, now and then

Secretary Wyman with 2015 Apple Blossom Royal Court and state Rep. Brad Hawkins (left). (Photo courtesy of Patrick McDonald) One of the annual events during legislative session is a visit to Olympia by the Apple Blossom Royalty from the Wenatchee area. After this year’s Apple Blossom Royal Court stopped by our office recently to meet Secretary Wyman, our State Archives staff sent us several classic Digital Archives photos of Apple Blossom queens and princesses from yesteryear visiting the state’s Capitol…

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WA Legislature convenes with Senate drama

WA Legislature convenes with Senate drama

Secretary of State Wyman (left) and Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen smile as Sen. Pam Roach signals to her colleagues after being sworn in.   (Photos courtesy of Benjamin Helle) Washington’s 64th Legislature got off to a peaceful start in the House and some unexpected fireworks in the Senate. Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, newly re-elected after a bruising challenge from a fellow Republican in the General Election, caught her GOP caucus off-guard by teaming with 23 minority Democrats and fellow…

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WA counties certify 2014 election results

WA counties certify 2014 election results

Washington’s 39 counties have certified their 2014 election returns, in an election dominated by legislative and congressional races, state and local ballot propositions, and local races. Turnout here, as in the rest of the country, was comparatively low for a mid-term election. In Washington, the county tallies totalled 2.12 million votes, or 54.16 percent of the ballots that were mailed out. That was similar to the 56 percent turnout in 2002, the last mid-term election that did not feature a…

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GC2G exhibit gone; WA 1889 exhibit coming soon

GC2G exhibit gone; WA 1889 exhibit coming soon

It seemed like yesterday, not over a year ago, that the popular Grand Coulee to Grunge exhibit first appeared on the walls in our front lobby in the Capitol. The exhibit showcased what’s made Washington great and world famous since it attained statehood in 1889, including our triumphs in aerospace, agriculture, engineering and technology. The exhibit also highlighted the mark Washingtonians made in music, from Bing Crosby to Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana. But GC2C is no more, at least at…

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