The Senate today launched another attempt to get state-budget negotiations with the House of Representatives going a month sooner than usual. Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler was among those voting to have the first state-government revenue forecast of each year delivered on Feb. 20, rather than March 20. Legislative budget-writers...

Sen. Mark Schoesler, leader of the state’s Republican senators, said today he is looking forward to serving with John Smith of Colville in the state Senate. Smith, who will succeed retired Sen. Bob Morton, was appointed today by commissioners in the five counties that are partially or completely within the...

Last week Democratic and Republican senators announced they have formed a Majority Coalition Caucus to lead the Senate during the 2013 legislative session. Twenty-five state senators committed themselves to a set of principles that will guide the work of the new caucus and announced an unprecedented committee structure with six...