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Monthly Archives: February 2013

Republicans plan to release transportation reform package Monday

From the desk of Columbian intern Lucas Wiseman: OLYMPIA — House Republicans said in a press conference Wednesday that they will release a transportation package Monday. Unlike the House Democrat’s plan released recently, the Republican plan won’t include bills to

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Sen. Benton's bills criticized by racial justice group

Several of Sen. Don Benton’s bills drew criticism from a racial and economic justice group, whose members demonstrated outside of his office on Monday. The Washington Community Action Network gave Benton “WARNING” signs to highlight “the dangerous impact of his

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Rep. Vick waiting until next session to introduce bills

From the desk of Columbian intern Lucas Wiseman: State Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Vancouver, has not sponsored a bill in the Legislature this year. His lack of bills is not because of idleness, he said. It’s a matter of principle. “You

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Vancouver legislators fast, reflect on child hunger

From the desk of Columbian intern Lucas Wiseman: OLYMPIA — For 24 hours, four legislators from Vancouver stopped eating to bring attention to child hunger. Reps. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver; Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver; Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver; and Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, chose

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Senators work to bring retiring elections guru back to help

The praises for longtime Clark County Elections Supervisor Tim Likness have made their way to the state Legislature, where some lawmakers are working on a way to allow Likness to oversee an upcoming election even after he retires in April.

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CRC heavy hitters make their case in Olympia

If you follow the Columbia River Crossing project, you would have recognized several familiar faces in Olympia on Thursday during a Senate Transportation Committee work session on the $3.5 billion megaproject. Former state Sen. Craig Pridemore spent his Valentine’s Day

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Lesbian couple takes advocacy project to La Grande

Vancouver’s Sam MacKenzie and Kelly Keigwin are taking their “Love is a Radical Act” art project on the road to honor Jadin Bell, a gay high school student who recently killed himself in La Grande, Ore. The couple campaigned for

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Lawmakers mull different ways to protect schools

From the desk of Columbian intern Lucas Wiseman: OLYMPIA — A bill by Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, that could lead to armed teachers at school isn’t the only school safety proposal being heard by Washington legislators, who are considering policy

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Pike discusses bill allowing teachers to carry guns

State Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, summed up her guns-in-schools proposal this way: House Bill “1788 is all about providing more options for local school boards to improve the safety of our children while they are in school, based on the

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CRC odds and ends

Following the Columbia River Crossing is, as the saying goes, like drinking from a fire hose. Here are a few developments from the past week that you may have missed… …The Oregon Legislature has introduced a bill to pay its

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