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Cathy McMorris Rodgers Voting Record and Politics

Cathy McMorris Rogers voting record
There is a new website with Cathy McMorris Rodgers voting record.  It leaves no doubt that she is a an extreme conservative who rarely deviates from her Republican party on important national issues.  Even the Walla Walla Bulletin had this to say.

McMorris Rodgers is a rigid conservative and highly partisan . . . [and] isn't willing to compromise on major national issues.-Editorial Board, Walla Walla Union Bulletin.

You will want to check out the site for more details, but let's cut to the chase.  Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted with the Republican leadership 97% of the time in the 111th Congress while casting 1654 votes. This makes her one of the most partisan and conservative members of congress.  McMorris Rodgers voted for the extreme 2013 GOP Budget to end Medicare as we know it. Likewise, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers voting record agreed with the American Conservative Union 96% percent of the time. Also, the Club for Growth scored her as voting with them 94% of the time, Family Research Council 100% of the time, the National Taxpayers Union 89% of the time, and the National Chamber of Commerce 100% of the time (see WikiPedia).

(385 comments, 330 words in story) Full Story

Movement for Two-Thirds Majority for New Taxes Goes Local

Mike FaganAs most of you know, years ago Tim Eyman launched an successful initiative effort to require a two-thirds majority in the Washington State Legislature for the passage of new taxes.  The two-thirds majority movement has gone local.  

The Spokane City Council recently voted in favor of placing Prop 1 for two-thirds rule on the local February ballot (along with two other issues including Prop 1 for independent investigative powers for the Spokane Police Ombudsman).  The effort for the 2/3 majority ballot title was supported by Mike Fagan (in the picture to the right), freshman city council person, and frequent co-sponsor of Eyman initiatives to reduce state revenue needed for parks, education, environmental protection, and other services from the State of Washington. Because of the number of seats on the Spokane City Council, this would effectively be a five-sevenths (5/7) majority needed to pass new revenue proposals.

(258 comments, 444 words in story) Full Story

Matt Shea (R) Pulled Handgun on Motorist in Spokane

"I wish to state that under no circumstances would I support Matt Shea for any public office," Senator Bob McCaslin (R) stated to the Spokane County Commissioners as they were deliberating who to appoint to a vacate seat to State House.

"He [Matt Shea] is dangerous enough in the House, and would be a serious menace to good governance as a Senator" --Gary W. Smith, Spokane Valley 4th District Republican

He was speeding like he usually does. He admits it. Leroy Norris likes to put the pedal to the metal, and last November he was returning home to his residence on the South Hill at a fast clip in his Chevy Lumina.

Then, a pickup truck drove along-side of Leroy, and the driver pulled a handgun out of his glove box in plain view of Leroy. Leroy freaked out, and he took off at an even higher speed in fear for his life. Really, who wouldn't be afraid?

With little or no concern for the safety of other drivers, pedestrians, or kids playing in the neighborhood, the driver of the pickup truck proceeds to chase Leroy Norris up the South Hill on Monroe Street. One or both vehicles exceeded 60-miles per hour at times through the residential area.

The driver of the pickup truck was Washington State Representative Matt Shea (R). Despite Matt Shea's minor celebrity status as a local elected official, an officer of the Spokane Police Department recognized a threat to the community when he saw one. The good'ol boy network did not work for Matt Shea. Lt. Dan Torok of the Spokane Police Department cited Republican Matt Shea, Spokane Valley, for two violations of State firearms law in the road rage incident. Leroy Norris was not cited for any offense. To the right is a YouTube video that was produced by Eastern Washington Voters about the firearms incident involving Matt Shea with more info at SpokaneWatch.net

(239 comments, 1622 words in story) Full Story

Todd Mielke: When is a bribe not a bribe?

Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke recently got some unwanted press.  Developer Lancze Douglass asked Todd Mielke for some help with some county business.  Todd Mielke allegedly turned around and asked him for a campaign contribution.

However, Lancze Douglass would not have anything to do with it, so he told Mike Prager of the Spokesman Review the story.    

(987 comments, 291 words in story) Full Story

5th CD Congressional Race

Monday night, I sent the following letter to several active local (5th CD)Democrats including the leadership of the various local committees:

I have been an active part of the organized Democratic Party since 1983 or so. Since I live in the 9th LD and Whitman County, I've had to get up and continue after a loss, more often than not. I've lost primaries and been at the winner's office the next day offering my help and support. I've walked this walk I am about to talk

I would hope that the organized Democratic Party groups of the 5th CD are pragmatic, wise and grown-up enough to accept the results of the only poll that matters. Daryl Romeyn  is the Democratic winner of the primary election. So what if he was not the endorsed choice of the organization(s). If not for the unfortunate "top two" fiasco we are stuck with, this would have been an ordinary contested primary. There was an insider, an outsider, a perennial, and even a "nutjob" or two.

Under the old rules (which are possibly still the rules in some local bylaws) the Central Committees would have remained neutral until last week. AND promptly come together and worked hard to win the general!

(4 comments, 596 words in story) Full Story

6th LD race going to recount

6th LD Democrats Chair State Committeeman, Andrew Brewer posted on dKos that Don Barlow, who is running against Repub John Serben (same district that Democrat Chris Marr won the senate seat in), hit the threshold for a recount by one vote:

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 6 POS 1

(WITH 92 OF 92 PRECINCTS COUNTED)

DON A BARLOW (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  26,226   50.17

JOHN W SERBEN (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .    25,966   49.67

Under Votes .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,402

The margin is within the half-percent and 2,000 votes required to trigger an automatic machine recount.

More proof that a single vote really does count.

(27 comments) Comments >>

 

 

 

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