Dick Nelson is a former Washington State legislator. He currently contributes to the public debate on state and local fiscal issues through research and commentary. As when he was in the legislature,
Both Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna are campaigning on the idea that they can avoid new taxes simply through growth in the state's revenue. But the wannabes might want to listen to Gov. Gregoire.
Surprisingly, the business community could be the key to deciding whether the state follows the lame-duck governor's well-spoken advice.
The Legislature got its work done but in its eagerness to be done with cutting, it left large questions for the future.
The new visitor center's vivid, heartfelt displays tell the story of the foundation's globe-spanning philanthropic ambitions, and of the enormous work that waits to be done.
Washington legislators are eyeing a constitutional amendment to deal with budget problems, but the real solution to the state's fiscal woes may lie in a different direction.
