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Tag: Washington Legislature

WA joining effort for national popular vote for prez

WA joining effort for national popular vote for prez

Washington is about to join an intriguing reform compact that could change how we elect our president. Lawmakers have approved Senate Bill 5599 adding Washington to the list of states willing to cast its electoral votes for the ticket that wins the national popular vote. Currently, all 11 of Washington’s electoral votes are awarded winner-take-all to the ticket with the most votes in the state. Quick civics reminder: Although the popular vote is closely watched, the presidency is actually waged in a 50-state hunt for electoral…

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(Tea) Party like it’s 1773

(Tea) Party like it’s 1773

Getting into and out of the Legislative Building during the lunch hour today was much harder than usual. There was a big Tea Party going on outside. Today’s Tax Day Tea Party on the steps of the Legislative Building drew around 5,000, the largest crowd for a State Capitol rally in several years. Many of the people who came to Olympia waved signs or U.S. flags and shouted anti-tax slogans. Among the speakers were tax rebel Tim Eyman, KVI talk show…

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Senate OKs expanded domestic partner benefits

Senate OKs expanded domestic partner benefits

Washington senators have voted 30-18 to expand the list of rights and benefits for same-sex domestic partners.  The legislation now moves to the House, where it is expected to pass. Governor Gregoire has expressed support. The legislation essentially matches the list of rights that married heterosexual couples enjoy, but does not include any reference to marriage equality. The state currently allows same-sex couples or older heterosexual couples (at least one person over 62) to register with the state. The program is…

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Special legislative races coming up in ’09

Special legislative races coming up in ’09

It’s an off-year for legislative-congressional-statewide elections — blessed be our ears!– but a number of counties will be picking state legislators to fill unexpired vacancies. Two beloved members of the House died after being re-elected last fall — Democrat Bill Grant of the 16th District and Republican Steve Hailey in the 9th — and a third state representative, 15th District Republican Dan Newhouse, was appointed agriculture director by the Democratic governor. Successors were chosen by county commissioners in the 9th and…

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