You often hear conservatives complain about the (allegedly) increasing state budget. But as this article from Washington Policy Watch explains, the increase disappears if you adjust for inflation and population growth. Budget with no adjustments Budget with inflation adjustment Budget with inflation and population adjustment See Honey, I shrunk the budget: An honest look at…

Maureen Dowd in this blistering critique of the  GOP — Ghastly Outdated Party — quotes various Republicans who have condemned the extremism of the current batch of GOP presidential candidates.  For example, Dowd quotes Jeb Bush as saying,  “I used to be a conservative, and I watch these debates and I’m wondering, I don’t think…

When Will President Obama’s Critics Admit They Were Wrong?

Forbes reports: Speaking at a recent conference, Mark Bertolini, CEO and Chairman of Aetna Insurance, announced that the end is near for profit driven health insurance companies. “The system doesn’t work, it’s broke today. The end of insurance companies, the way we’ve run the business in the past, is here.” In highlighting the reasons for…

Democrats’ plan for state budget is a gimmick, GOP leader says

King County Dems Legislative Action Newsletter has good info about bills moving and dying in the state legislature

On the topic of education, the Washington State Constitution is a highly progressive document. ARTICLE IX EDUCATION says: SECTION 1 PREAMBLE. It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.…

Rep. Adam Smith spoke Thursday evening at Bellevue City Hall to an audience of about 25 people which included Bellevue Mayor  Conrad Lee, City Council member Claudia Balducci, and State Representative Marcie Maxwell. The small turnout was rather surprising, but it had the beneficial effect that it was easy to ask questions.  Rep. Smith spoke…

In an unusual alliance between progressives and conservatives, 50 doctors for single payer urge Supreme Court to strike down individual mandate “In a brief filed with the Court, the 50 doctors and two nonprofit groups said that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate is unconstitutional.”

Link: Occupy Activists From Across US And Abroad Converge in Olympia