UPDATE: Herrera Beutler sends legislative message to Coast Guard on CRC
Congresswoman's provision advises agency to consider project's economic impacts
U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler moved legislation on Wednesday cautioning the U.S. Coast Guard to think twice about granting a permit for a new Columbia River bridge if it restricts river traffic.
C-Tran delays support of CRC (with video)
Local transit agency waits for verdict in Legislature
Citing several unanswered questions about the Columbia River Crossing project, the C-Tran board decided Tuesday evening to put off a decision about whether it should reaffirm its commitment to the controversial project.
Jobless Clark County residents' aid is cut
Federal benefits reduced 21% for 2,500 people due to sequester
An estimated 2,500 Clark County residents received a 21 percent reduction to their federal unemployment benefits over the weekend, demonstrating one more way across-the-board federal spending cuts could slow Clark County's economic growth, a regional economist says.
Inslee vetoes $81M for CRC
Governor still battling to get state to pay $450 million share
It's all or nothing, Gov. Jay Inslee indicated Monday in the battle to get $450 million for the Columbia River Crossing project.
Herrera Beutler travels to Afghanistan, talks women's rights
Congresswoman hopes Afghan women can maintain the progress they've made after U.S. withdraws
Humanitarianism, women’s rights and military sexual assault were all topics discussed on Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler’s trip to Afghanistan over the weekend.
Small local theaters raise glass to bill's signing
Alcohol will be permitted in Kiggins, Liberty auditoriums
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Tuesday that allows small movie houses, such as the Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver and the Liberty Theatre in Camas, to serve beer and wine in their auditoriums even when children are present.
CRC close to mitigation deal with Oregon Iron Works
Company would be negatively impacted by a lower I-5 bridge over the Columbia River
Oregon Iron Works, one of the companies that would be negatively impacted by the Columbia River Crossing project, is close to reaching a mitigation deal with the CRC, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee said this week.
CRC foes, supporters step up lobbying efforts
Lawmakers open special session Monday
As legislators face a decision on whether to commit $450 million this year toward the Columbia River Crossing project, lobbying and advertising efforts have increased ahead of a special legislative session that begins today.
Parking a challenge at Library Square
Bill would give developer Killian Pacific more time to use state subsidy to build planned underground parking for busy Vancouver facility
Storytime at the downtown Vancouver library, held on several weekday mornings, is one of the building's most bustling times. It's also when library patrons might have the most difficulty finding a parking spot.
Gov. Inslee declines request for another CRC review
He says project has been inspected enough, another review would waste tax money
The Columbia River Crossing project does not need another investigation, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee wrote recently in a letter to conservative leadership in the state Senate.
County job means pension bonanza for Benton
State Sen. Don Benton's new gig as environmental services director for Clark County could triple his state-funded retirement benefit when compared to the benefit he'd receive from working only as a legislator.
Immigration reform advocates rally in Vancouver
Vancouver Interim Police Chief Chris Sutter and Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt want residents to know that even if they aren’t U.S. citizens, they’re still important members of the community who deserve access to public services and American opportunities.
Washington lawmakers approve transportation budget
Plan includes conditional planning dollars for CRC
The Washington Legislature this afternoon approved a compromise transportation budget, which includes $81.7 million for the Columbia River Crossing project, as well places some conditions on the CRC.
Washington House alters sales-tax exemption bill
Wylie's amendment offers rebate option to out-of-state shoppers
A proposal to repeal the retail sales-tax break Oregon shoppers get in Washington advanced Wednesday through the Washington House of Representatives, but not before the bill was tweaked to give Oregon shoppers a rebate option for the sales tax they would pay. The bill now heads to the Senate.
Kitzhaber: Removal of light rail will kill CRC project
Washington Legislature has yet to approve state's share of funding
Oregon officials won’t support a Columbia River Crossing alternative that excludes light rail, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber’s spokesman said Wednesday, adding that removing light rail will kill the project.
Five years for marijuana ring member
Operation included false documents and a Vancouver house
An Oregon man who abused medical marijuana laws to sell large amounts of pot was sentenced for the crimes Wednesday in a U.S. District Court in Portland.
Watershed gets care at eco fair
Volunteers step up, help plant trees to protect Salmon Creek
Alyson Day of Vancouver is pursuing a master's degree in environmental science, so she knows the impact that she and other Vancouver residents can have on delicate ecosystems such as the Salmon Creek watershed.
Portland man sentenced to 5 years for illegal marijuana operation
His 2010 case involved police raids in Portland, Vancouver
An Oregon man who allegedly abused medical marijuana laws to sell large amounts of pot was sentenced for the crimes on Wednesday in a U.S. District Court in Portland.
CRC friends, foes take views to Olympia
Hearing held on plan to raise taxes for transportation
People on both sides of the divisive Columbia River Crossing project took advantage Friday of one of the last chances this session to tell state lawmakers how they feel about the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement.
UPDATE: Amendment would require audit of CRC
Transportation committee members also approve restricting CRC money until the project gets its Coast Guard permit
The Senate's bare-bones transportation budget plan now would require a state audit of the Columbia River Crossing, thanks to an amendment added to the budget proposal Thursday morning. The budget proposal also would place conditions on when the megaproject could receive more money to cover its ongoing planning costs.
Rivers' medical marijuana rules are debated
Bill would control market to match recreational sales
More voices were heard Tuesday morning in the debate about Washington's dueling marijuana markets.
UPDATE: Revised transportation revenue plan keeps $450 million for CRC
Proposed in the House, the CRC money might face problems in the Senate
House Democrats today released a scaled-back version of the transportation revenue package they unveiled earlier this session. The new version still includes $450 million for the Columbia River Crossing.
LaHood: CRC project deserves to move forward
The federal transportation secretary urged Washington legislators to dedicate money to the project
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Olympia Wednesday, urging Washington state lawmakers to approve Washington's share of the Columbia River Crossing project.
Senators support state funding for Children's Center, Academy project
Schools for blind, deaf also in Senate's capital budget
Upgrading the Children's Center in Vancouver and preserving Vancouver's historic Academy building are projects Washington senators hope to invest in, according to a capital budget they proposed Tuesday.
Rivers bill would tax medical pot
La Center Republican proposes new regulations for industry
State Sen. Ann Rivers acknowledges she's going boldly where no Washington state Republican has gone before: she's introduced a bill about medical marijuana that also raises taxes on some parts of the industry.
UPDATE: House Democrats offer $49M for CRC
Megaproject’s backers hope for separate revenue package after it was shut out in Senate
OLYMPIA — The Washington state House released a scaled-back transportation budget proposal Thursday, with Transportation Committee chairwoman saying she plans to unveil a revised revenue package to pay for new projects next week.
Prevailing wage for public works debated
Backers say law ensures quality work; foes argue it's unfair, drives up costs
When it comes to the cost of public works projects, wages are usually the biggest number on the bottom line.
Four join women's political action committee board
Group to finance, mentor women seeking local office
Four Clark County movers and shakers have joined forces with a political group aimed at electing more women to local government positions.
Vancouver business leaders defend sales tax exemption
Governor's budget plan proposes scrapping it for non-residents
One part of Gov. Jay Inslee's budget proposal -- requiring Oregonians to pay retail sales tax when shopping in Washington -- isn't sitting well with business leaders in Southwest Washington.
County judges make case for pay increase
State salary commission considering a 2% hike
Superior Court judges from Clark and Cowlitz counties painted pictures of their hectic professional lives on Wednesday evening, as they advocated for a bump in pay before the citizen commission that sets elected officials' salaries.
Wrongfully convicted man urges state to pay
Northrop testifies for bill to compensate innocent found guilty of crimes
When Alan Northrop went to prison, his son was 2. By the time Northrop was finally declared innocent and released, that son was 19.
Bill would teach kids age-of-consent laws
Teens can become victims or offenders without realizing it
Sexually active teens who don't understand Washington's age-of-consent laws could be committing crimes they aren't even aware of, says state Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.
Legislators jostle to promote attitudes on CRC
Supporters, opponents make their cases to a statewide audience
Although most legislators from other parts of the state have paid little attention to Clark County's transportation needs, the county's legislators, who remain split on the CRC, are telling their versions of the CRC story to fellow lawmakers.
Governor says Crestline will rise from ashes
Praising students and staff of burned school, Inslee cites resilience
Students and educators from Crestline Elementary School, which burned down last month, received a boost to their spirits Friday afternoon, when Washington Gov. Jay Inslee visited and promised to help them get a new building as soon as possible.
Raise voices for CRC, Inslee says
Governor tells local leaders they have ‘one shot’ for bridge
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee talked with area leaders Friday in Vancouver at a roundtable discussion focusing on the Columbian River Crossing project.
Gov. Inslee to visit WaferTech in Camas
Roundtable on CRC, visit to Crestline site also on his agenda
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will pay a visit to WaferTech in Camas on Friday as part of his stopover in Clark County, Inslee's spokeswoman, Jaime Smith, confirmed.
Town Halls: Education, health care, employment also discussed
Rivers, Pike talk school, while Paul, Benton mirror views
The Columbia River Crossing was far from the only thing on the agenda as legislators from the 18th and 17th legislative district fielded a range of questions during town hall meetings Saturday.
Lawmakers use town halls to talk CRC
3 different meetings offer varied views on how to deal with bridge
State legislators from Clark County got an earful Saturday as constituents sounded off on the Columbia River Crossing project in a series of town hall meetings.
Local lawmakers have mixed success as bill cutoff date passes
Efforts to revive supermajority for tax hike votes fail
Those rooting for the revival of two-thirds majority votes of the Legislature in order to raise taxes won't get their wish any time soon, as proposals to impose that rule appeared lifeless Wednesday, a pivotal deadline in the Legislature.
CRC among topics for Saturday town halls
Three events will feature a total of eight legislators
As Clark County's legislators gear up to fight for or against the Columbia River Crossing project, they want to hear from their constituents.
Finance official: CRC needs to get state permission to impose tolls, again
Transportation Commission will seek tolling authority on CRC again in a future legislative session
Voters' passage of Initiative 1185 this fall means the authority legislators gave the state Transportation Commission to impose tolls on the Columbia River Crossing is no longer valid, Julie Murray, legislative director with the state's Office of Financial Management, told Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, in a March 8 letter.
Bill offers Library Square time
Current law has difficult deadline for developers of parking garage
When voters approved money in 2006 for the new library in downtown Vancouver, they were told that a parking garage would follow with 200 public parking spaces for library patrons. But proponents of the project weren't expecting a recession to hit in 2007.
Washington House Republicans seek transportation reforms
In exchange, it would be more willing to support broad funding package
State House Republicans say they would be more willing to support a broad transportation funding package if the Legislature passes Republican government reforms they say will boost the economy, increase government accountability and save transportation dollars.
Herrera Beutler questions CRC expenses
Congresswoman sends letter to CRC director asking her to explain some project costs
In a letter sent to Columbia River Crossing Director Nancy Boyd today, U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, asked Boyd to explain why certain CRC expenses are necessary.
Immigration reform backers kick off statewide bus tour
Elizabeth Ruiz knows the pain of being ripped from her family. Before the Mexican native obtained legal status in the United States, she was arrested for immigration violations and taken to a detention center in Tacoma.
Legislative Session: Halfway done, but a long way to go
Education, CRC among issues that lawmakers must tackle
As the 2013 Washington legislative session nears its halfway mark, the biggest policy battles remain unsettled.
GOP vows transportation savings
Bills the public may see Monday described as reform before spending
Those trying to predict whether Washington lawmakers will dole out $450 million this year for the Columbia River Crossing might not be any more enlightened Monday, when House Republicans plan to unveil a package of transportation bills.
Supermajority tax-rule decision splits local legislators, officials
Some educators and Democratic legislators from Clark County applauded the state Supreme Court's decision Thursday that ruled a two-thirds voting requirement to raise taxes in the Legislature is unconstitutional.
Bill eyes tolls to pay for state's CRC share
Sen. Cleveland's 'Plan B' would also rely on fuel taxes if lawmakers do not approve funding
Drivers could pay even more in tolls to cross the Columbia River if a backup plan to pay Washington's share of the Columbia River Crossing is passed.
Several heated bills die as Legislature's deadline passes
Other proposals, such as serving alcohol in small theaters, go forth
Proposals to make it possible for teachers to arm themselves, to change graduation requirements, and to require parental notifications for abortions have fizzled in the Legislature as a bill cutoff deadline passed Friday.
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