Lawmaker floats idea of victims’ compensation fund
In the current budget year, the state of Washington is on track to pay 60-million dollars to settle damage and personal injury lawsuits filed against the state. That has some lawmakers alarmed,...
View ArticleSeattle responds to criticism, adjusts scheduled parking rate increases
Seattle parking rates are going up in 4 neighborhoods, down in 11 neighborhoods and will stay the same in 7 others. Seattle Transportation Department spokesman Rick Sheridan says the upshot is that 73%...
View ArticleRapidRide buses coming to Eastside this fall
Shiny burgundy buses equipped with automated pay stations, three doors each, low-riding chassis and accelerated time tables started serving south King County last fall. They're called RapidRide and...
View ArticleTo save money, state deporting some prison inmates early
Listen OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington has begun to deport some prison inmates before their sentences are up. The new program is expected to save $2 million a year. But the deportations have immigrant...
View ArticleSeattle asking voters to approve a $60 car tab fee
Listen Seattle voters will face a proposed car tab fee on the November ballot. The city council has unanimously agreed to ask for an additional $60 annually for the next 10 years to help pay for road...
View ArticleFloyd tells WSU 'We're not out of this fiscal crisis yet'
Listen Washington State University President Elson Floyd says the university will get out of the current fiscal crisis, but it is not there yet.
View ArticleWashington revenue forecast drops $1.4 billion
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington's latest revenue forecast predicts a $1.4 billion drop in tax collections through June of 2013.
View ArticleNo cuts to services in proposed King County budget
There's relatively good news on King County’s budget for 2012: In a big change from recent years, Executive Dow Constantine is proposing no cuts to services. Constantine says though it is “surrounded...
View ArticleCuts and new revenue state budget proposals set for Monday
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire is set to propose a mix of cuts and new revenues to close a $1.4 billion budget shortfall. The Democrat has scheduled a news conference Monday morning.
View ArticleWashington lawmakers push driving-related fee hikes
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state lawmakers are pressing ahead with a series of mostly driving-related fee increases to raise money for road repairs and other transportation needs. The fee increases,...
View ArticleLegislature edges closer to budget solution for Washington
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Republicans and Democrats are merging closer on tax policy as they begin to formulate solutions on the state's budget shortfall.
View ArticleWenatchee-area default results in new reform law
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A follow-up now to a story we first brought you in December. It was about the default of an under-performing hockey and concert arena in Wenatchee, Washington. Governor Chris Gregoire...
View ArticleLawsuit likely over roll-your-own smokes tax in Washington
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The burgeoning roll-your-own cigarette industry in Washington is preparing to do legal battle against the state. Governor Chris Gregoire is expected to sign into law today a new tax on...
View ArticleMorale at Washington's biggest state agency plummets
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Great Recession has taken its toll on morale at Washington’s largest state agency. Employee satisfaction at the Department of Social and Health Services has plummeted over the past...
View ArticleSeattle $1.1 billion short of funding pensions
The Seattle City Council is facing a $1.1 billion shortfall in its pension fund, according to a report to the Government Performance and Finance Committee (first noted by the politics and government...
View ArticleThe Post Office will miss another multi-billion dollar payment
This Sunday, the U.S. Postal Service won't be able to pay its latest $5.6 billion dollar obligation. This will be its second default; on Aug. 1 it failed to come up with a $5.5 billion dollar payment....
View ArticleTown in turmoil: Pacific may go out of business
PACIFIC, Wash. — The south King County town of Pacific is more than a century old, but the city council considered a measure at the Monday meeting to disincorporate.
View ArticlePracticality of 'No new taxes' pledge debated in Olympia
OLYMPIA, Wash. - In Olympia, a new revenue outlook shows a shortfall in the next state budget cycle. That is putting renewed attention on promises not to raise taxes. Washington's Democratic...
View ArticleWashington tax dollars go to dry cleaning, artwork
A few days after Washington lawmakers approved a budget deal to lower state spending last year, small-government Rep. Gary Alexander got $40.60 worth of dry cleaning done.Then he made sure taxpayers...
View ArticleSeattle asking voters to approve a $60 car tab fee
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-982167.mp3Seattle voters will face a proposed car tab fee on the November ballot. The city council has unanimously agreed to ask for...
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