Leaders of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus today asked Gov. Jay Inslee to initiate a formal and independent investigation of the controversial Columbia River Crossing project based on concerns raised by two forensic accountants. The request for a comprehensive accounting review is aimed particularly at contracts and spending records and...

Sen. Ann Rivers said the bipartisan operating-budget adopted by the Senate today would spend more on basic and higher education while addressing the needs of Washington’s most vulnerable citizens, all without raising taxes. The measure passed with a bipartisan 30-18 vote. “The people I represent are having to live within...

Sen. Ann Rivers today voted for a proposal that would let Washington voters add to the state constitution a taxpayer-protection standard overturned earlier in the day by a state Supreme Court ruling. “The court made it clear that the only way to make this requirement constitutional is for the Legislature...

The Senate today approved the first bill introduced by Sen. Ann Rivers since she became 18th Legislative District senator. It would give government agencies some breathing room when it comes to complying with a state law requiring them to move their fleets to biofuels and electricity by 2018. “While I...

Sen. Ann Rivers knows it was unusual for the Senate Ways and Means Committee to devote its entire meeting Thursday to a discussion of tax-increase bills that she and a majority of the committee members don’t support. Then again, as Rivers points out, she and the other Majority Coalition Caucus...

Sen. Ann Rivers reports from the Capitol in Olympia about the 2013 legislative session.

OLYMPIA… At its annual legislative lunch Wednesday the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs recognized Sen. Ann Rivers as Legislator of the Year for 2012 from among Republicans in the House of Representatives. Rivers, R-La Center, had served in the House throughout the 2012 session and beyond until her mid-year...

Sen. Ann Rivers will have positions on four Senate committees when the 2013 legislative session convenes one month from today. The La Center Republican and member of the new Senate Majority Coalition Caucus said two of those assignments promise to put her right in the middle of the session’s biggest challenges...

The state’s Republican senators today unanimously chose Sen. Ann Rivers as caucus whip. It’s a prominent position on the Senate Republican leadership team that is especially important when the full Senate is debating and voting on legislation. “I’m honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with a leadership position so...