Washington

WASHINGTON

What's New?

State Legislature Passes Equality of Marriage Bill
February 9, 2012. The state house has joined the senate in passing SB 3269. The house vote was 55-43 on the equality of marriage bill and Senate had previously approvd it by a vote of 28 to 21. The bill now goes to the governor who has already indicated here support for the legislation.
   Access SB 3269 Enrolled Bill as passed in the Senate.
   Access Bill Tracking information for SB 3269.
   Read the governor's press release on passage of the legislation.

State Supreme Court Declares Education Funding System in Violation of the Washington Constitution
January 8, 2012. The Washington Supreme Court has issued its long-awaited opinion in McCleary v. Washington, 84362-7, ruling against the state in a challenge to the state's educational funding system brought under Article IX of the state constitution. Writing for the Court, Justice Stephens summarized the ruling by saying that: "The State has not complied with its article IX, section 1 duty to make ample provision for the education of all children in Washington. The legislature recently enacted a promising reform package under ESHB 2261, 61st Leg., Reg. Sess. (Wash. 2009), which if fully funded, will remedy deficiencies in the K-12 funding system. This court defers to the legislature's chosen means of discharging its article IX, section 1 duty but retains jurisdiction over the case to help facilitate progress in the State's plan to fully implement the reforms by 2018." Governor Gregoire issued a press release agreeing with the Court's ruling, but expressing appreciation for the Court's recognition that the governor and legislature were working to address the problem.
   Read the Supreme Court majority opinion.
   Read the concurring/dissenting opinion.
   Read the Governor's Press Release in response to the opinion.

Governor Gregoire Announces Possible Budget Cuts for Legislative Special Session
October 28, 2011. Governor Gregoire, citing a likely $2 billion dollar additional shortfall in the current biennium, has issued a set of alternatives for budget cuts to be considered by the special session of the legislature that she has called for November 29. In here letter to the legislature that accompanies the documents, she stated: "For example, the reducations that will likely be included in my November budget proposal would: "Eliminate the Basic Health Plan, ending subsidized health care to 35,000 low-income individuals; Cut off medical services to 21,000 people enrolled in the state's Disability Lifeline and ADATSA (Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Treatment Support Act) programs; Trim 15 percent from the support we provide to our colleges and universities; Reduce levey equalization, which helps property poor districts, by 50 percent; Cut the length of supervision for all offenders, based on severity of offense. Sex offenders will be supervised for 24 months, and all other offenders, for 12 months." October 27, 2011Letter to the Legislature, p. 2
   Read the Governor's letter to the legislature setting out proposed budget and program cuts.
   Read the Governor's full budget reduction alternatives document.
   Read the Governor's press release.
   Read the Governor's Budget Fact Sheet.

Governor Gregoire Calls Special Session to Meet Further Budget Challenges
September 23, 2011. Following the most recent revenue forecast which sees a $1.4 billion drop in revenues for the biennium over previous assumptions, Governor Gregoire is calling the legislature into special session beginning November 28 to address the budget shortfall. The Governor had previous directed state agencies to determine the impact of additional cuts from 5 to 10 percent in their budget. Those reports are due today.
Read the Governor's Press Release on the Special Session.
Read the Governor's Press Release on the September Revenue Forecast.

House Ways and Means Chair Proposes Budget for 2011-2013
April 5, 2011. Washington House Ways and Means Committee Chair, Ross Hunter (D, Medina) has issued documents explaining a proposed 2011-2013 operating budget that is aimed at addressing the state's budget gap which is not over $5 billion. The Governor has issued a statement largely supportive of the proposal. The proposal and the bill introduced to move it forward are posted below.
   Access the Summary for the 2011-2013 Operating Budget Proposal and 2011 Supplemental.
   Access the 2011-2013 Agency Detailed Budget Proposal.
   Access the Budget Bil PHSB 1087.
   Read the Governor's Statement on the Ways and Means Proposal.

Air Force Awards Tanker Contract to Boeing
February 24, 2011. The Air Force has announced that it has awarded the contract to replace the existing air tanker fleet to Boeing. This is the first phase of a larger program to replace the aging tanker aircraft.
   Access the Air Force Announcement.
   Access the Air Force Fact Sheet on the KC-46 Tanker Contract.
   Access the Washington Governor's Statement on the Contract Award.

Governor's Budget Information
February 3, 2011. The debate over the budget is in progress. The basic documents submitted include the following.
   Read the budget highlights.
   Read the detailed agency budget proposals.
   Access the Office of Financial Management budget page.
   Access the FiscalWA.gov website.

Latest Revenue Estimates Promise Further Cuts and Stress in the Upcoming Budget Cycle
November 19, 2010. The newest revenue estimate released today indicates that there will be further decline of anticipated revenue in the current biennium than the shortfall already anticipated. The governor has issued a statement in response to the new report.
Access the November 19 Announcement of the New Revenue Forecast.
Read the Governor's Statement in Response to the Latest Revenue Forecast.

Governor Calls for Additional Across the Board Budget Cuts
August 13, 2010. The governor has announced that, notwithstanding recently enacted federal assistance in education and medicaid to states, recent revenue projects require that state agencies prepare for an across the board cut of 4-7 percent to be implemented by October 1.
Access the Governor's Announcement.
Access the Governor's website on Budget Process.

Supplemental Budget Documents Available
May 29, 2010, 2010. The supplemental appropriations budget documents adopted to address the state's major shortfall are available as follows.
   Access the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee website with key supplemental operating budget links.
   Read the Supplemental Operating Budget Bill as Passed.
   Read the Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill as Passed.
   Read the Supplemental Capital Budget Bill as Passed.

Senate Committee Holds Hearings on Bank, Financial Regulator, and Rating Services Failures
April 27, 2010. The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has been holding hearings on the failure of Washington Mutual which had significant impacts on the Pacific Northwest as well as nationally. These hearings are part of a series of hearings on "Wall Street and the Financial Crisis." The April 13 hearing was on "The Role of High Risk Home Loans" and focused on WaMu and its operation. The April 16 hearings focused on the regulators and particularly on Office of Thrift Supervision and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The April 23 hearing concerned the "The Role of Rating Agencies." The April 27 is on "Investment Banks" and focuses specifically on Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The exhibits introduced into the record as well as the testimony of witnesses are provided below.
   Also, the Inspector General for the FDIC has issued a full report on its investigation of the FDIC failures in the WaMu failure.
   Access the prepared testimony by witnesses for April 13 hearing.
   Access the Exhibits introduced into the record.
   Access the prepared testimony by witnesses for April 16 hearing.
   Access the Exhibits for the April 16 hearing on the Regulators.
   Read the FDIC Inspector General Report.
   Access the testimony for the April 23 hearing.
   Access the Exhibits for the April 23 hearing on the Regulators.
   Access the Additional Exhibits for the April 23 hearing on the Regulators.
   Access the testimony for the April 27 hearings.
   Access the Exhibits for the April 27 hearing on the Regulators.

Department of Defense Announces Final RFP for KC-X Tanker Contract
February 26, 2010. The Department of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force have announced the final request for proposal for the KC-X tanker designed to replace the KC-135. The competition has to this point seen conflict between Boeing and its supporters in Washington state and Northrop Grumman and its supporters in Alabama. The final bids are due on May 10, 2010. The Washington governor has begun organizing support for Boeing's case with the formation of a coalition of state governors from Kansas, Maine, Iowa, Utah, Oregon, Missouri, Illinois, and Connecticut. The links to the DOD announcement, the presentation slides, and the links to the actual request for proposal documents are posted on the Public Contract Management page of this website.
Read the Governor's statement on the RFP.
Read the the Governor's statement on the U.S. Tanker 2010 Coalition.

King County Superior Court Issues Key Ruling on State Education Obligations
February 15, 2010. Judge John Erlick of the Superior Court for King County has issued an opinion in McCleary v. Washington, No. 07-2-02323-2 SEA. In his opinion, Judge Erlick found that: "In short, the Respondent State is not amply providing for the actual cost of operating the State's public schools. The Respondent State is not amply providing for the equipping of all children residing in this State with the basic knowledge and skills mandated by this State's minimum education standards. The Respondent State is not amply providing for the equipping of all children residing in this State with the basic knowledge and skills included within the subtantive "education" mandated by Article IC, Section 1 [of the state Constitution]." Slip opinion at 57. The court went on to find: "This court accordingly grants Petitioner's petition requiring Respondent State to comply with its paramount duty under our State Constitution to: (1) establish the actual costs of amply providing all Washington children with the education mandated by this court's interpretation of Article IX, Section 1, and (2) establish how the Respondent State will fully fund that actual cost with stable and dependable State sources." Id. at 71-72.
Access Judge Erlick's opinion.
Access Governor Gregoire�s statement in reaction to the opinion.

Governor Gregoire Issues Supplemental Budget with Major Cuts
December 11, 2009. Governor Gregoire has issued a supplemental budget which cuts programs to address a $2.6 billion shortfall. The governor's press release indicates that: "Among the programs targeted for elimination are the state Basic Health Plan, which provides health care coverage to nearly 65,000 individuals ($160 million); Apple Health for children, which provides health care coverage to 16,000 low-income children ($11 million); and the General Assistance Unemployable program, which provides cash grants for 23,000 adults and medical services to nearly 17,000 adults ($188 million). In education, funding would be eliminated for 1,500 3-year-olds participating in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program; the kindergarten-through-4th grade staffing enhancement that reduces class size in the early grades; and levy equalization, which provides extra support to districts with a lower than average property tax base. Slated for reduction are the State Need Grant program, where 12,300 students would lose grants, and grants would be smaller ($146 million); and funding for the state�s community and technical colleges as well as the baccalaureate institutions ($89 million)."
   At the same time that she released this supplemental budget, the governor criticized the cuts that it contained and announced that she plans to introduce a second budget in January, which, she said, "will restore several of the most critical programs that would be eliminated by the all-cuts budget."
    The new budget was accompanied by a series of policies briefs on changes in a variety of areas of state government. Links to those policy briefs are provided on the press release page below.
    Access the Governor's Press Release.
    Access Governor's Proposed Supplemental Budget Webpage.
    Read the Proposed 2010 Budget & Policy Highlights Document
    Access the Agency Recommendation Summaries.

Governor Issues Executive Order Eliminating State Commissions and Recommends Legislation to Eliminate More
December 8, 2009. The governor has issued an executive order eliminating 17 boards and commissions and indicated that her administration would call for legislation to eliminate 78 more such bodies. The governor's press release also explained that: "New legislation also will make multiple organizational changes to small state agencies. Currently, 64 small cabinet agencies and boards operate under the authority of a board. This legislation would reduce or eliminate about a third of these agencies through mergers or realignments." Finally, she announced that 25 programs will be moved out of the Commerce Department and into other agencies.
    Access the Governor's press release.
    Access the list of organizations affected by the executive order and planned legislation.
    Access the information on reorganization of Small Cabinet Agencies and Boards
    Access list of programs to be transferred out of Commerce.
    Access Executive Order 09-08

New State Revenue Forecast Released
November 20, 2009. The Washington Office of Financial Management has released its report on the state of the current budget and latest revenue estimates. In addition to its press release, OFM has also provided a PowerPoint presentation Entitled "2009-11 Budget Story: Where we've been and where we are now." The reports indicate a $760 million decline in revenues for the rest of the biennium.
Access the Office of Financial Management Press Release on Latest Revenue Estimates.
Access "2009-11 Budget Story: Where we've been and where we are now."

Returns Show Controversial Tax Limits Measure Losing by A Significant Margin
November 9, 2009. While the vote counting is still in progress, the Secretary of State's current tabulation shows Measure No. 1033 with 1,577,892 votes counted, the count is 672,291 "yes" votes or 42.61 % and 905,601 "no" votes or 57.39 %. Washington has 3,583,278 registered voters and estimated state turnout is 46.26% based on ballots counted to the present time.
Access the Secretary of State's running count on ballot measures.

Election Features Controversial Tax Initiative
November 3, 2009. Washington officials and voters await the outcome of Initiative Measure No. 1033 on state, county, and city revenue. "This measure would limit growth of certain state, county and city revenue to annual inflation and population growth, not including voter-approved revenue increases. Revenue collected above the limit would reduce property tax levies." Secretary of State, 2009 General Election Voters' Guide. The Secretary of State posting also includes the "Fiscal Impact Statement."
Access the Secretary of State's 2009 General Elections Voters' Guide on Measure 1033.

Budget Information

Governor's FY 2011-2013 Budget Proposal
Access the Budget Highlights
Agency Detail Budgets

Legislatively Enacted FY2011-2013 Budget
    Operating Budget
    Transportation Budget
    Capital Budget
    Washington State Fiscal Information

FY 2011-2013 Supplemental Budget Action
Access the 2011 Governor's Supplemental Budget Proposal.
Enacted Supplemental Budget

Governor's FY 2009-2011 Budget Proposal
Access the Budget Highlights
Agency Detail Budgets

Legislatively Enacted FY2009-2011 Budget
    Operating Budget
    Transportation Budget
    Capital Budget
    Washington State Fiscal Information

State Revenue and Economic Forecasts: Office of Economic Analysis
Access the Office of Financial Management Website
Access the State Economic and Revenue Outlook January 2009.

Washington General Information

State of Washington
State Government Site
State Homepage.

Office of the Governor of Washington
Governor's Homepage

"State Agencies, Commissions, and Organizations
Alphabetical Index and Links to State Agencies

Washington State Government Telephone, Employee, and E-mail Directories
Telephone Directory
E-mail Directory

Washington Counties
Washington Counties Map and Websites

Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington
MRSC Homepage

Washington Cities and Towns
Alphabetical Index of City and Town Websites via MRSC

Washington City Profiles
MRSC profiles with links to codes and websites

Washington City/County Management Association
WCCMA Homepage
WCCMA Next Generation Website

Washington Association of Cities
Washington Association of Cities Homepage

Washington Association of Counties
WA Association of Counties Homepage.

Washington Association of County Officials
WA Association of Counties Officials Site.

Special Districts in Washington
Links to Washington Special District Associations by Policy Field via MRSC

Washington State Contracts and Purchasing
    Department of General Administration Purchasing and Contracts Page.
    "Doing Business with the State."
    Bid Opportunities by Agency.

Washington Finance Officers Association
Washington Finance Officers Association Homepage

Washington Weather
Weather for Washington Cities

Washington Maps
Washington Department of Transportation Detailed Maps

Washington State Tourism Site
Experience Washington Homepage

Washington News Media

Newspapers

Aberdeen Daily World
Homepage.

Battle Ground Reflector
Homepage.

Bellingham Herald
Homepage.

Longview Daily News
Homepage.

Skagit Valley Herald
Homepage.

Olympian
Homepage.

Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader
Homepage.

Prosser Record Bulletin
Homepage.

Seattle Times
Homepage.

Seattle Post Intelligencer
Homepage.

Spokane Spokesman-Review
Homepage.

Tacoma News Tribune
Homepage.

Tri-City Herald
Homepage.

Vancouver Columbian
Homepage.

Winatchee World
Homepage.

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Homepage.

Yakima Herald-Republican
Homepage.

Native American Tribes and Nations

Washington State Tribal Directory
The tribal directory is a .pdf document.

Chinook Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis
Tribal Homepage

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Tribal Homepage

Cowlitz Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Lummi Nation
Tribal Homepage

Makah Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Muckleshoot Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Nisqually Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Puyallup Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Quinault Indian Nation
Tribal Homepage

Samish Indian Nation
Tribal Homepage

Sauk Suiattle
Tribal Homepage

Shoalwater Bay Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Skokomish Tribal Nation
Tribal Homepage

Snoqualmie Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Spokane Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Squaxin Island Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Suquamish Tribe
Tribal Homepage

Swinomish Tribal Community
Tribal Homepage

Tulalip Tribes
Tribal Homepage

Washington Legal Materials

Washington Constitution
Washington State Constitution

Washington Statutes
Washington Revised Code (WRC)

Washington Legislature
    Bills and Bill Tracking
    Legislative Bill Search Site
    "Washington State Legislative History.
    Guide Published by the Marion Gould Gallagher Law Library, University of Washington School of Law

Washington Administrative Rules
    Washington Administrative Code
    Washington Administrative Code Homepage.
    Washington Administrative Procedure Act
    Washington APA

Washington State Register
Official Notices
Washington Register and Associated Links

Washington Executive Orders
Executive Orders Issued by the Governor
Access current Executive Orders with Archives for prior actions.

Washington Attorney General Opinions
Legal Opinions Issued by the Attorney General
Access Attorney General Opinions by Topic or Year.

Washington Public Contracting Statutes and Regulations
    Washington Public Contracts and Indebtedness (WRC Title 39)
    State Statutes on Public Contracts
    Procurement Rules
    Access Office of State Procurement Rules
    Access Competitive Contracting Rules

Washington Ordinances
City and County Codes via MRSC

Washington Basic Statutes on Local Government
    Cities and Counties
      Cities and Towns
      Counties
    Washington Divides Its Statutes on Special Districts by Type
      Fire Protection Districts
      Port Districts
      Sanitary Districts
      Water Sewer Districts
      Diking and Drainage Districts
    Intergovernmental Agreements
      Interlocal Cooperation Act

Washington Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Opinions
Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Base Page

Washington Courts
Washington Appellate and Trial Courts with Documents and Procedures

Federal Courts with Jurisdiction Over Washington
    U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
    U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
    Access the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Opinions

General Legal Research Sites

Legal Dictionary -- Find Law.com
http://dictionary.lp.findlaw.com/

Washington Congressional Delegation

Jay R. Inslee, D., District 1
Congressional Homepage

Rick Larsen, D., District 2
Congressional Homepage

Brian Baird, D., District 3

Doc Hastings, R., District 4
Congressional Homepage

Cathy McMorris Rogers, R., District 5
Congressional Homepage

Norm Dicks, D., District 6
Congressional Homepage

Jim McDermott, D., District 7
Congressional Homepage

Dave Reichert, R., District 8
Congressional Homepage

Adam Smith, D., District 9
Congressional Homepage

Senator Patty Murray, D.
Senate Homepage

Senator Maria Cantwell, D.
Senate Homepage