Olympia Lobbyists

State lawmakers defend frequent dinners with lobbyists

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:05:05 +0000

Two Washington state lawmakers are defending their frequent dinners with lobbyists. The meals show up in monthly reports filed with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.

State Rep. Marcus Riccelli is a freshman Democrat from Spokane. On four occasions from January through March, he dined out with Michael Temple, a lobbyist for the state’s powerful trial lawyers association.

When asked Riccelli about those dinners, Riccelli joked, “I’m an Italian kid. I have a big appetite.”

The influence game: Lobbyists wine, dine lawmakers after hours

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:09:42 +0000

In the first three months of this year, lobbyists in Washington state spent more than $200,000 on entertainment. Much of that money was spent to wine and dine state lawmakers during the just-concluded 105-day session.

The spending begs the question: What are lobbyists and their clients getting in exchange for picking up the tab?

Inside the world of business lobbying in Olympia

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:31:11 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – In the world of state legislatures, there’s a powerful breed of players who normally shun the spotlight. They prefer to work behind the scenes to influence policy outcomes. We’re talking about business lobbyists. Inside this often hidden world, you’ll meet two of the most successful corporate contract lobbyists in the Washington state capitol.

One month down, lots of work ahead on budget

Austin Jenkins and KPLU News Staff — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:05:43 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-951719.mp3

Washington's legislature has hit the one-month mark. Budget writers say a deal is close at hand between the House and Senate to re-balance the current two-year spending plan. After that, attention will shift to the closing a multi-billion dollar shortfall in the next two-year budget.

State agency lobbyists in Republican crosshairs

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:01:22 +0000

Governor Chris Gregoire says she will call a budget-cutting special session of the legislature before the year is out. As the state’s budget crisis worsens, the governor and lawmakers are looking to save money anywhere they can. One target in the crosshairs: lobbyists for state agencies.