Morning News Digest: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Gregoire pushes economic stimulus plan

Gov. Christine Gregoire, diving into her second term after a convincing election victory, is pushing a $300 million economic-relief package aimed at helping families who are struggling to make ends meet. (Associated Press)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008375710_govbudget11m.html

State workers fear layoffs as Gregoire looks at trims

Cuts to state government, including layoffs, are almost certain as Washington's weakening economy promises to deepen the hole in the budget. (Adam Wilson, The Olympian)

http://www.theolympian.com/stategovernment/story/656577.html

Late returns turning tide toward Republicans in legislative races

The same trend that saw Dino Rossi close the gubernatorial primary's 4 point election night gamp down to less than two is guiding state Republicans toward gains in Olympia. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2604/late-returns-turning-tide-toward-republicans-legislative-races

Sutherland clings to hope in lands commissioner race

Democrat Peter Goldmark and his environmental backers have declared victory in the state lands commissioner race. But not so fast, says Republican incumbent Doug Sutherland. (Brad Shannon, The Olympian)

http://www.theolympian.com/politicsblog/story/657284.html

Mielke increases lead over Brokaw

Republican Tom Mielke’s wire-thin lead in the Clark County commissioner race is thickening. He’s now ahead of Democrat Pam Brokaw by 116 votes, with an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 ballots left to count. (Michael Andersen, The Columbian)

http://www.columbian.com/article/20081110/NEWS02/711119953

House Dems retain leadership

The Washington state House Democratic Caucus opted to retain its leadership today, affirming six key roles. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2605/house-democrats-retain-leadership

McMorris Rodgers to seek Republican House leadership role

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Spokane), fresh off of a resounding re-election to a third term in the 5th Congressional District, announced Friday that she would seek the office of Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2603/mcmorris-rodgers-seek-republican-house-leadership-role

City urges steps to cut landslides

Sun helped dry out Seattle's potentially slippery slopes Monday, but with storms in the forecast, city officials aren't taking any chances. (Debera Carlton Harrell, Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/387294_landslide11.html

Interim Sequim city manager's brain tumor adds to woes

SEQUIM -- Interim City Manager and Police Chief Robert Spinks has been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a non-cancerous tumor on his auditory nerve that if left untreated will kill him, according to his doctor.  (Diane Urbani de la Paz, Peninsula Daily News)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20081111/news/311119996

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.