Government shutdown remains possibility as negotiations stall
June 11, 2013
With a second special session likely and a July 1 deadline for the state to have its operating budget in hand, state agencies may soon …
Checks And Balances Blog
Herrera Beutler: Unborn child has often-fatal medical condition
June 4, 2013
VANCOUVER, Wash. — U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s unborn child has been diagnosed with an often-fatal medical condition, the congresswoman says. Herrera Beutler, who represents …
State blog keeps residents up to date on ‘Fecal Matters’
June 4, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — If you ever wondered what that smell was, the state has a blog for that. Certain state agencies keep regular blogs — …
King, Murray editorials debate Columbia River Crossing
June 3, 2013
While education, the budget and social issues have captured statewide interest in this year’s legislative sessions, lawmakers are also dealing with a more regional but …
Another nonprofit seeks to run Sunnyside center
May 31, 2013
SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — Yet another nonprofit group may run this city’s community center. Officials with the Sunnyside Arts and Sports Association, SASA for short, and …
Sen. Honeyford’s mosquito abatement bills become law
May 14, 2013
Relief is on the way for residents of rural communities just outside the currently drawn mosquito district boundaries. Senate Bill 5002, which was signed by …
Hastings: Mass deportation ‘isn’t realistic’
May 2, 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings said Thursday that mass deportation of some 11 million undocumented immigrants is not realistic, but he stopped short …
Parents celebrate Senate candidate’s victory
May 1, 2013
YAKIMA, Wash. — It’s hard keeping up with the Gomezes, Gloria and Julio, that is. That’s because their son, Gabriel Gomez, the Eisenhower High School …
Local lawmakers support rule change on wolf killing
April 29, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Central Washington lawmakers are pleased with the state Fish and Wildlife Commission’s new emergency rule allowing the killing of wolves caught in …
Warnick elected House Republican caucus chair
April 29, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Central Washington Republican has risen to third in command after House Republicans held elections over the weekend for new leadership following …
Republican chief: State Dream Act bill an attempt to make GOP look “racist”
April 26, 2013
The state Dream Act was only proposed “to continue this mantra that Republicans are racist,” state Republican Party chairman Kirby Wilbur said in a recent …
House Democrats budget $100,000 for Dream Act, just in case
April 11, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Is it possible to revive dead legislation by throwing money at it? In their budget proposal released Wednesday, House Democrats included $100,000 …
Senate Dems blister majority leader over Dream Act fate
April 10, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — OLYMPIA — Top Democrats in Olympia admonished Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom on Monday for not doing more to save the Dream …
Local expert to lawmakers: Climate change a major concern
April 2, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — After Gov. Jay Inslee’s greenhouse gas emissions bill cleared its last hurdle in the House in late March, it was clear when …
Ross bill would ban the sale of vapor products to minors
April 1, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill by a Yakima area representative that would ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vaporized nicotine products to minors is …
Sen. King explains greenhouse emissions bill vote
March 28, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — When Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee got his first piece of legislation passed out of the Legislature last week, the negative sentiment among …
Day honoring Vietnam vets approved by lawmakers
March 26, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Legislature has approved a measure to recognize March 30 in honor of Vietnam Veterans. The Senate unanimously passed the bill Monday. …
Inmate data create unclear picture about release, residency
March 21, 2013
YAKIMA, Wash. — Numbers can be misleading. Yakima city and state Department of Corrections officials both say that Yakima County is getting more released offenders …
State’s Filipino residents honored by state Senate
March 7, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington residents of Filipino ancestry got a standing ovation in the state Senate Wednesday after the approval of a resolution honoring their …
Dems want to pay freshmen legislators a “training wage”
March 6, 2013
Democrats got back at Republicans in the state House Wednesday by proposing a “training wage” for freshmen legislators. The prank bill was clearly aimed at …
Open Mike: Dan Catchpole on data reporting
February 27, 2013
YAKIMA, Wash. — In this edition of the weekly Open Mike, host Mike Faulk talks about data reporting — using numbers, statistics and spreadsheets to …
Taylor’s drone regulation bill passes committee
February 22, 2013
A Yakima Valley lawmaker’s proposal to regulate the use of domestic drones passed out of the House Public Safety Committee with bipartisan support Thursday. With …
House passes bill to honor Vietnam vets
February 21, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash . — A bill to create a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” in Washington state, sponsored by Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima, received unanimous …
Warnick wants low tax rate for solar industry
February 20, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Promoting solar power isn’t usually at the top of state Republicans’ legislative agenda, but Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, wants to ensure …
State lawmakers react to State of the Union
February 13, 2013
Members of Washington state’s congressional delegation, it comes as no surprise, had very different reactions to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech Tuesday …
Voting Rights Act passes committee vote
February 12, 2013
The Washington Voting Rights Act (HB 1413), authored with an eye toward changing Yakima’s City Council elections, was approved today by the House Government Operations …
AG wants tougher sentences for courthouse offenders
February 12, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Citing a courthouse shooting in Delaware Monday as cause for action, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson testified Tuesday in favor of legislation …
E-comments aim to improve access to lawmakers and legislation
February 7, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The state Legislature launched a pilot program this week called “E-Comments,” allowing state residents to directly offer their comments on legislation to …
Eyman praises Yakima council’s vote on tax votes
February 7, 2013
YAKIMA, Wash. — Tim Eyman’s statewide anti-tax initiatives receive strong support each election year in Yakima, so it seems Eyman is offering some of that …
Open Mike: Dan Catchpole on Yakima streets
May 8, 2013
YAKIMA, Wash. In today’s segment of Open Mike, reporter Dan Catchpole discusses with host Mike Faulk how the city of Yakima will address its failing …
Senator wants to formalize state archivist qualifications
February 4, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — State Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, is known for submitting legislation that only a wonk for fine print could love, and he’s done …
Yakima Valley Latino farmers meet with Gov. Inslee
January 29, 2013
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee has a lot of people who want to talk to him, but a group of Yakima Valley Latino farmers …
State House Democrats reintroduce Voting Rights Act
January 25, 2013
A renewed effort to push for a state Voting Rights Act began officially Friday with the introduction of House Bill 1413. The proposal would make …
Conservative lawmakers seek to apportion Electoral College votes
January 24, 2013
A group of conservative Eastern Washington lawmakers are proposing that the state’s voters in the Electoral College be assigned by congressional district, which would change …
Abortion notification bill to be heard
January 22, 2013
A state Senate bill that would require any girl younger than 18 to notify her parent or guardian before having an abortion will soon get …
Conservative GOP group names Yakima activist as chairwoman
January 17, 2013
YAKIMA, Wash. — One of the architects of the Ron Paul coup at the Yakima County Republican Convention last year has been named state chairwoman …
Inslee names cabinet chiefs
January 10, 2013
Democratic Governor-elect Jay Inslee announced his first five picks for his Cabinet today, including two picks plucked from the private sector. Speaking at a legislative …
Gregoire to EPA?
January 9, 2013
There are rumors — that’s all they are at this point — that outgoing Washington Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire is about to be tabbed as …
Registration deadline to vote in school district special elections is Monday
January 12, 2013
YAKIMA, Wash. — Two Yakima County school districts are asking voters to pass levies in the Feb. 12 special election, and anyone who plans to …
Wash. congressional delegation largely supports budget deal
January 2, 2013
The majority of Washington’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Doc. Hastings, R-Pasco. voted for the budget deal that averted the “fiscal cliff.” Here’s the breakdown: Yes …
Talk of gun control could be increasing sales
December 19, 2012
YAKIMA, Wash. — Like Wal-Mart stores in other parts of the country, the megastore’s Terrace Heights location is all but sold out of semi-automatic rifles. …
Public to air comments on Sunnyside budget
December 20, 2012
SUNNYSIDE, wash. — The Sunnyside City Council will meet at 6:30 tonight to try to nail down a few of the controversial aspects of the …
Area representatives get top spots on legislative committees
December 15, 2012
There was good news for lawmakers from the Yakima and Kittitas valleys Thursday when the state House Republicans announced their committee assignments. Rep. Bruce Chandler, …
Capital Press: Newhouse, current Ag director, among those mulled for Inslee cabinet
December 12, 2012
YAKIMA, Wash. — A member of Governor-elect Jay Inslee’s transition team says he is ready to recommend that Dan Newhouse, current director of the state …
George Fearing to help cast vote in Electoral College
November 27, 2012
Washington Democrats are readying for the next step in the presidential election process: Casting the state’s 12 votes in the Electoral College. The ceremonial vote …
Our Washington PAC distorts YHR quote in new
November 2, 2012
The Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board endorsed Republican Rob McKenna for governor in early October, but you’d come away with the opposite impression from a recent …
City’s support for Sweet not so to some commenters
August 28, 2012
SUNNYSIDE — Nothing has changed about Frank Sweet’s employment as the city’s interim manager here to the chagrin of a few vocal critics at Monday’s …
GOP apple grower supports Cantwell
August 24, 2012
The Cantwell-Baumgrner race hasn’t been steaming up the headlines but here’s an interesting development reported by The Seattle Times: SEATTLE, Wash. -- Democratic U.S. Sen. …
Local Dems announce delegates to national convention
July 16, 2012
The Fourth Congressional District Democrats announced their official list of delegates to represent the district at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., in September. …
Taylor endorses Hadian for governor
July 12, 2012
Rep. David Taylor, R-Moxee, has endorsed Shahram Hadian for governor. In a joint press release with three other state representatives, none from the Yakima Valley, …