Tagged: Governor Chris Gregoire

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has approved a $1 billion stimulus plan that seeks to get construction workers back on the job.

Washington state has become the first in the nation to require verification of age for online ads that promote sex-related services, such as the escort ads that appear in backpage.com.

The bill, Senate Bill 6251, was among a dozen anti-trafficking bills signed into law by Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today.

Rep. Jay Inslee is resigning from Congress to focus full time on running for governor of Washington state this fall.

The Democrat announced his decision Saturday at a news conference in Seattle. Inslee is in his eighth term representing a Seattle-area district in the House.

Less than two weeks ago, Inslee told KPLU that he would remain in Congress while running for the governor's seat.

Inslee said then: “Listen, that did not stop me from putting out my job creation agenda. … Yes, I've got some responsibilities in Washington D.C., but we are pursuing a very vigorous effort to [get] people back to work.”

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has approved the Whistling Ridge Wind Energy Project in Southern Washington. But some people object because the project will be visible from I-84 in the scenic Columbia Gorge.

And it could threaten spotted owls. They've been seen within two miles of the site in the past year.

Nathan Baker is the staff attorney with Friends of the Columbia Gorge.

“Some places should be off limits to industrial wind development and we believe that the Columbia River Gorge is one of those places," Baker says. "Most people are in favor of renewable energy but they’re not aware of all the negative costs and impacts from wind energy.”

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire is bypassing the attorney general's office and seeking court guidance on the constitutionality of a law limiting tax increases.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire wants the state to handle local business tax collections, saying a streamlined system would save small businesses time and money.

Gregoire's proposal on Thursday would take the duties away from local jurisdictions, similar to how the state currently collects and distributes sales tax money.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Gay marriage is poised to become a major issue of debate in Washington in 2012. Governor Chris Gregoire said Wednesday she will personally introduce same-sex marriage legislation this year. Conservative activists responded by vowing to form a coalition to defend marriage as between one man and one woman.

Outside the Governor's office, gay couples and their supporters gathered in giddy anticipation. An informal lottery was held to decide who could watch the speech in person.

At the podium, an emotional Gregoire announced her support for same-sex marriage. She said in the middle of the last century civil rights activists fought for interracial marriage.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Chris Gregoire has approved a plan to ease the state's $1.4 billion shortfall.

Gregoire signed a new budget Tuesday that uses a variety of cuts, transfers and delayed payments to save $480 million.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Illinois did it earlier this year. Now Governor Chris Gregoire wants Washington to explore privatizing the state lottery. That's just one of several ideas she unveiled Thursday to reform general government operations.

It would take legislative approval. But Gregoire wants to invite private companies to bid to take over lottery operations.

"Some have asked me should the state be in the gambling business? Well let me be clear in my opinion on that subject and it is 'No,'" Gregoire says. "So let's see if it can be done better through the private sector."

The state would still take most of the profits and regulate the games, ticket sales and advertising.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington Governor Chris Gregoire wants to put teeth into a statewide system for evaluating teachers and principals. In Olympia Tuesday, Gregoire said she'll ask the Legislature to approve a new four tier performance rating. It would go from unsatisfactory, to basic, to proficient, and top out at distinguished.

The governor wants the law to require educators in the two lowest tiers improve within a year or be fired.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington businesses will get some unexpected tax relief next year – to the tune of $350 million. Governor Chris Gregoire made the announcement Thursday in Olympia.

“There will be no overall increase in workers’ compensation rates in 2012 and an actual reduction in unemployment insurance rates for all rate classes," Gregoire said.