Morning News Digest: Wednesday, November 19, 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.

As vote count continues, big turnout emerges

Washington state's 39 counties have now combined to count more than three million ballots for the 2008 election. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2636/vote-count-continues-big-turnout-emerges

Washington's higher ed prepares for cuts up to $600M

Universities and community colleges across the state are being asked to prepare for a possible budget cut of some $600 million over the next two years — requiring them to consider slashing courses, laying off staff, reducing student numbers and raising tuition. (Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008408803_uwcuts19m.html

Clark County's jobless rate holds steady as state sees increase

Clark County’s job numbers defied the otherwise bleak October economic drumbeat, according to figures released on Tuesday. The local unemployment rate held steady last month at 6.7 percent, beating analysts expectations even as jobless rates climbed in Oregon, Washington as a whole and around the country. (Julia Anderson, The Columbian)

http://www.columbian.com/article/20081119/BIZ01/711199954

House Republicans suing for access to ballots in LD6

The Washington State House Republican Organizational Committee has retained a law firm to file a temporary restraining order to top the counting of ballots in Spokane County’s 6th Legislative District race between Rep. John Ahern (R-Spokane) and John Driscoll (D-Spokane), which Driscoll leads by 63 votes. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2638/house-republicans-suing-access-ballots-ld-6

Murray keeps leadership post

WASHINGTON - Washington Sen. Patty Murray was re-elected Democratic conference secretary Tuesday, the fourth most powerful position among Senate Democrats. (McClatchy)

http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/11/18/murray_keeps_leadership_post

City Council approves, delays impact fees

After years of talk, Spokane leaders have created taxes on new development in hopes of solving a growing shortfall in street funding. (Jonathan Brunt, Spokesman Review)

http://spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=17818

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.