Stateline Headlines

Budget impasse has state staffers concerned

Washington lawmakers edge closer to final deal

Not much action on pot from state's leaders in DC

Budget impasse has state staffers concerned

Washington delegation in Congress drags feet on marijuana

5 things to watch this week in 2nd special session

Online sales tax might help state, but it’s not a simple matter

Special session tally: 30 days, 0 bills, $77,000

House passes estate tax bill on 55-33 vote; deal with Senate GOP exempts some family-owned business assets

FBI files show disdain for former Wash. Gov. Albert Rosellini

Inslee cancels participation in Paris Air Show

State House passes estate tax fix

Washington House approves estate-tax fix

Gun control advocates submit state ballot initiative

Leaders agree on gas tax; transportation differences remain

Ex-Senate budget-writer Dino Rossi has quietly been giving budget advice to Senate Majority Caucus

State Revenue Dept. to send out 10 estate-tax refunds worth $13 million starting Friday

McKenna solicits support for Bellevue’s Davidson

Washington lawmakers face deadline on estate-tax fix

Gov. Jay Inslee, Cabinet discuss possible government shutdown in Washington state

Time to compromise on Washington state budget

Washington advocates file gun control initiative

State leaders agree on gas tax, but not everything

Gun control advocates submit state ballot initiative

Gov. Inslee plans for ‘major, major disruption,’ Senate leader says talk of shutdown ‘nonsense’

Legislature adjourns; 2nd special session set

State Dept. eyes probe process after complaints

In case budget doesn’t pass, state readies for shutdown

Washington gun-control advocates submit ballot initiative

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee calls second special session

States Prepare to Launch New Health Law

Debates over Medicaid expansion got most of the attention, but states enacted dozens of other laws that will affect how millions of Americans receive health care next year.

For Oregonians, shopping in Washington may soon not be so tax-free

House Democrats begin girding for July 1 government shut down – are voting on stop-gap cap budget that only continues ongoing projects

Lawmakers ‘out in space,' need 3rd session

Local lawmakers point fingers over impasse

Senate passes new budget plan

Senate wants reforms while House wants budget

Schools get priority over state bridges

Senate unveils new budget proposal

Public votes on policy shifts proposed in Washington Senate

Schools get priority over infrastructure in Washington lawmakers' proposals

Washington lawmakers' special session nears deadline; another would follow if needed

Washington state Senate offers new budget plan in last days of special session

House approves revised state budget plan

More than 2,400 same-sex couples wed in Washington since law took effect

Rep. Steve O'Ban will replace Mike Carrell in Senate

State Senate cool to House plan to cut spending

Steve O'Ban sworn in as state senator

State Senate leaders cool to House plan to cut spending

Democratic lawmakers in Washington state back away from business tax proposal

Q&A: Will Consumers Find Bargains on Health Insurance Exchanges?

Some states are beginning to roll out their plans for health insurance exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Rep. O'Ban will replace Carrell in Senate

Inslee criticizes lawmakers' lack of progress on budget deal

Washington Gov. Inslee laments 'lack of substantive progress' in budget talks

Repair Bills Mount for Deteriorating Roads

Despite a few wins early this year, many governors are struggling to find funds to keep their states’ roads smooth and safe.

66,749 Structurally Deficient Bridges

The most troubling aspect of Thursday’s bridge collapse in Washington state: Many of the country’s bridges are in worse shape.

Not So Fast: Tax Revenue Estimates From Legal Marijuana May Not Materialize

Proponents of legalized recreational marijuana touted millions in taxes that could be collected. But don’t count that money yet.

Report: No Easy Options for Feds in Legal Marijuana States

The federal government may not have much choice but to continue its mellow attitude toward legal marijuana in Washington and Colorado.

Should States Get Out of the Booze Business?

Pennsylvania is as close as it has ever come to privatizing liquor sales following a House vote in March. Tricky questions await the Senate as it considers whether to modernize or dismantle the state’s multifarious system.

States Seek Legal Limits on Domestic Drones

Lawmakers in nearly half the states are working to set legal limits on the use of drones, before they become a key part of domestic policing.

Advocates for Climate Action Urge Insurers to Join Up

Some are pushing the insurance industry to not only to crank up the volume on its longstanding calls for hardier building and safer land use in disaster-prone areas, but also to push for cuts to the carbon emissions.

Debt Ceilings Without Drama

Most states have rules that limit how much they can borrow. Unlike Congress, however, state lawmakers have almost never used the limits to engage in high-stakes political confrontations – at least not yet.

Colorado Preps for Recreational Marijuana

Colorado voters amended the state’s Constitution this November to legalize recreational marijuana use. That’s left the state’s established medical marijuana community apprehensive about its future.

Washington State of the State Address 2013

OLYMPIA, Washington -- Jan. 16 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jay Inslee's (D) 2013 State of the State Address

Bipartisan Coalition Takes Washington Senate From Democrats

Two Democrats teamed up with the chamber’s 23 Republicans to form a new “Majority Coalition Caucus,” the second time as many weeks that Republicans have claimed a share of power in a legislative chamber where they are in the numerical minority.

Best of #StateReads: Washington State Loses Women and Latino Lawmakers

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

After Election Day Confusion, Hawaii Gov Pushes Full Mail-In Voting

On the heels of an Election Day plagued by long lines and mass confusion, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie says he’s pushing for major changes to voting on the islands —mainly, the elimination of the traditional Election Day altogether.

Openly Gay Lawmakers Selected To Lead Chambers

Oregon Representative Tina Kotek is poised to join openly gay lawmakers in Colorado and Washington as a leader of a state legislative chamber.

Democrats Win Montana Governor’s Race, Lead in Washington

Democrats have fended off at least one more Republican attempt to take back control of a governor’s office, and likely another.

Republicans Win Big in North Carolina Governor’s Race But Struggle Elsewhere

Despite heavy spending by outside groups in nearly a dozen races for governor, the partisan mix of Democrats and Republicans leading states appeared to change only slightly as a result of Tuesday’s elections.

In Some States, Election Season Could Linger Long After Tuesday

Here’s a look at several states whose elections may remain undecided long after Tuesday night.

School Ruling Roils Race for Washington Governor

School funding is playing an outsized role in the Washington gubernatorial race, but it may be a while before new money comes from Olympia.

Democrats Play Defense in Governors’ Races

The race for New Hampshire governor has the hallmarks of the biggest gubernatorial races this fall: heavy involvement from outside groups, a national contest stealing the spotlight and messages that echo themes from this year’s presidential campaigns.

Mussel Invasion Moves West

For more than two decades, mussel pests have threatened the water supply in the Great Lakes. Now they have crossed the Rocky Mountains.

A New Battleground in 'Right to Die' Debate

Advocates of physician-assisted suicide are taking on entrenched opposition as they seek a high-profile victory in Massachusetts.

A Marijuana Revolt?

Colorado, Oregon and Washington voters will decide this November if they want to decriminalize and regulate marijuana production and possession, which could generate millions in state revenue. But any of these initiatives would put the states in conflict with federal law, which classifies marijuana as a controlled substance with no acceptable medical use.

Democrats Seeking Comeback in State Legislatures

Republicans won landslide victories in legislative chambers two years ago. Democrats hope to reverse some of the results in November. In many states, though, it won’t be easy.

In Kansas Primary, Results Could Advance Governor’s Agenda

On a busy primary day in four states, conservatives in Kansas are looking to oust moderate Republicans, freeing up room for the governor to push his ambitious agenda.

States Find Laws Against Sports Head Injuries Tricky to Enact

Everyone wants to reduce the number of head injuries suffered by young athletes. But deciding just how to do that is more complicated than it might seem.

Courts Struggle to Maintain Safety

No one is sure why, but courthouses are becoming more dangerous every year. Better security is needed, but security isn’t cheap.

While Congress Stalls, States Worry About Highway Funds

A three-year standoff in Congress makes planning transportation projects harder for states.

Should States Be in the Liquor Business?

Several states that tightly control liquor sales are debating whether to turn them over to the private sector.

Infographic: A Turning Point for Gay Marriage?

Gay marriage supporters have won big victories in state courts and state capitals in recent years. Now, they’re hoping to extend that success to the ballot box.

States Move Slowly Toward Digital Textbooks

Despite enthusiasm for digital textbooks at the national level, states have been slow to get on board. But the movement is gaining strength.

How Two State Tax Systems Have (and Haven’t) Shaped Metro Portland

Washington has no income tax. Oregon has no sales tax. In some ways, that matters a great deal for the regional economy. In some ways, it doesn’t.

Fate of Ballot Measures Often Depends on the Wording

When a proposal comes before the voters, somebody has to produce the ballot language describing it. Sometimes, the people who write that language have other priorities than simply making it clear.

'Political Earthquake' in Washington State

TODAY'S TAKE: Republicans who are used to being the minority in the Washington Legislature are suddenly major players in state budget negotiations, scoring a victory that The Seattle Times calls "a political earthquake not seen in 25 years."

Congressional Wrangling Leaves Sales Tax Deduction in Question

TODAY'S TAKE: Residents of seven states without an individual income tax are watching the budget debate on Capitol Hill to see whether they will be able to keep writing off state sales taxes on goods they purchase.

Gay Marriage Appears Set to Pass in Washington State

TODAY'S TAKE: Majorities in both houses of the Washington Legislature have endorsed gay marriage, but the final decision likely will rest with the state's voters.

At Last, a State Budget Year When the Sky Is Not Falling

PART FIVE OF FIVE: After four years of epic budget woes, states are ready for an improved 2012. Some are even poised to add dollars back to programs they wish they never had to cut.

Medicaid: A Year of Excruciating Decisions

PART THREE OF FIVE: For state health officials, rising Medicaid rolls and declining federal support add up to only one scenario: a year of ever tighter budgets.

Washington State of the State Address 2012

OLYMPIA, Washington - Jan. 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Christine O. Gregoire's (D) 2012 state of the state address: Thank you. Let's observe a moment of silence for some who served Washington so well and who

Minimum Wage Set to Rise in Eight States

TODAY'S TAKE: Workers in eight states will see slightly larger paychecks beginning January 1, thanks to laws requiring minimum wages to rise with inflation.

States Struggle to Update Toxic Chemical Regulation

Unchanged for 35 years, the U.S. Toxic Chemicals Safety Act has left federal regulators without the tools to investigate many chemicals that could endanger human health. That burden has fallen to states, which have enacted a patchwork of regulations that environmentalists, policymakers and industry leaders all consider inadequate.

Revenue Increase on Table in Washington Special Session

TODAY'S TAKE: Lawmakers in Washington State return to Olympia today (November 28) to address a $1.4 billion budget gap. Among the proposals being considered is a sales tax hike pushed by Governor Chris Gregoire.

Seattle Police Test Taking Drug Offenders Straight to Treatment

A new pilot program gives police officers an alternative to clogging up jails with low-level criminals. Will it save taxpayer dollars?

Washington Liquor Vote May Open Doors Elsewhere

TODAY'S TAKE: Washington voters removed their state from the liquor business on Tuesday (November 8), giving momentum to similar efforts in other places, including one just across the border in Oregon.

Liquor Privatization Initiative Polls Well in Washington State

TODAY'S TAKE: Washington could become the first state since West Virginia in 1991 to sell off its retail liquor stores under a proposal facing the voters next week.

Hazardous Chemical Crackdown Gains Momentum in States

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: In the absence of up-to-date federal legislation, states are writing their own rules about which chemicals are safe when contained in common products.

Boeing and Microsoft Boom, but Washington State Busts

Lawmakers in Olympia are finding that a common narrative about their state's economy - the notion that airplanes and software will carry the day - masks a more complicated and frustrating reality.