Posts published in “Day: February 14, 2013”

75 POINTS IN A WEEK Well, this is ambitious: Washington Governor Jay Inslee has a job promotion plan that involves 75 specific points, and "got a response from the Legislature that was more warm than cold." Considering that the deadline for moving bills out of committees is only one week away, that suggests either (a) Inslee hasn't (re)accustomed himself to state legislative timing rhythms or more likely (b) he's calculated that something like this will fare better if its pushed in a hurry - credible since its topic is increasing the number of jobs - as opposed to giving legislators lots of time to pick over and amend it. High risk, but it may be the only immediate option Inslee has to give it a try.

THE PROPER SLOT This could just about go to Stewart or Colbert as another example of Republicans irritating women (read: female voters). The story involves Joan Hurlock, appointed to the state Fish & Game Commission by Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter but denied confirmation by the Idaho Senate. There was some back and forth about whether the rejection had to do with her gender (only one women previously had ever been appointed to that panel). That argument may be strengthened by what Hurlock recalled Senate Resources and Environment Committee Chairman Monte Pearce saying to her: ’We’re going to look like bunch of men beating up on a young woman. He said if I withdrew “’I am sure the governor could appoint you to another commission, maybe the nursing board.”’ Idaho Legislature, your next national close-up is ready ...