Last week, the State House released its proposed 2011-2013 budget, one that slashes $4.4 billion in spending from education and health care, sparking protests and outrage. Last night, the Senate's Ways and Means Committee released their own, and it doesn't look too good, either -- it cuts $5.3 billion in spending and, unlike the House's plan (which raises money through leasing out the state's liquor distribution), it does not include any plans for raising revenue. more ›

We just got a statement from Senator Ed Murray on the R-71 signature count. It's like a word problem out of a stem-winder algebra book. Man, we'll be happy when politics is all done by computer. Says Murray--wait, got a pencil and paper handy? You'll need it: more ›

Under a measure passed yesterday by the Senate, same-sex domestic partners in Washington would finally have the same rights offered to married couples--rights which many people have been denied since the stale, dated Defense of Marriage Act of 1998, which restricted marriage to unions between a penis and a vagina. more ›

Or, "In Which We Suggest a Proper Landing Zone for that Satellite Headed Our Way" more ›

We really don't feel it's the day after an election until we overhear people talking about how they forgot to vote, didn't know there was an election, and how they'll definitely vote next time. more ›

Right out of the gate we're going to D up on Jordan, pressure him a bit and maybe force a few turnovers. MARIA CANTWELL for U.S. Senate. And since we finally figured out how to beat the Bulls' fullcourt press we're going to get a lot of transition baskets from Payton driving to the hole and Sam Perkins from the arc. A pull-up jumper over Longley for JAY INSLEE for U.S. State Rep. A long two from the baseline for JIM MCDERMOTT for U.S. State Rep. We'll go into halftime knowing that the ballot's going pretty well and the Key Arena crowd is going nuts, but we've got to keep the pressure on. Down three games to zip in the best-of-seven series means nothing tonight. Out of the locker room coach Karl has us staying strong on defense while managing to pick up a few buckets. INITIATIVE 930 - NO, INITIATIVE 933 - NO, INITIATIVE 931 - YES. Die, initiatives, die. When Jordan tries to start a run we'll squash it with an Ervin Johnson block and a Hersey Hawkins three on the other end to the rapture of the crowd. JAMIE PEDERSON for State Rep. ED MURRAY for Senator! We're almost there, but a comeback at this point in the game would be difficult -not impossible- for this magic Bulls team. Kukoc is stripped at midcourt, a pass to Payton for the lay in. DARCY BURNER for U.S. Rep. Ball's loose at the Bulls end, McMillan scoops it to Payton who spins around Jordan and fires to Kemp flashing down the lane! The ballot is completed! We're going strong to the ballot box! Kemp absolutely explodes over Pippen and Rodman and the basket counts! We're hanging from the ballot box in ecstasy as time expires. On the way off the floor/out of the church basement we'll exchange high fives and flying chest bumps with the election officials and then head home to face the inevitable games 5 and 6. more ›

Those sad, wet, cold people holding signs and waving to you this morning means that it is Election Day. more ›

-State senator Pat Thibaudeau announced that she won't try to retain her seat in the 43rd against Ed Murray (who announced recently that he wants it). Evergreen Politics has an obit. more ›

Ed Murray, the state representative you hate if you love firing your gay employees for getting stuck in traffic, is running for State Senate. He will take on incumbent Pat Thibaudeau this September in Seattle's 43rd District. more ›

We were pretty sure it was needed. We knew it was coming. But things looked hairy for a while yesterday when a 54-43 vote against in the state Legislature put the gas tax and its proponents on their heels. In a comeback reminiscent of Rocky Balboa, however, the measure passed later in the day to tearful jubilation on the floor. more ›