Mike Baker

Read the latest stories and analysis from Mike Baker.

Washington looks at ending oil refinery tax break

Washington looks at ending oil refinery tax break

Mike Baker · February 6, 2014 8:23 pm

Boeing to throw party to thank lawmakers for $8.7B

Boeing to throw party to thank lawmakers for $8.7B

Mike Baker · February 5, 2014 12:41 am

FILE - In a Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014 file photo, Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during the annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Legisture in the House chambers, in Olympia, Wash. Inslee, saying too many parents with full-time jobs are struggling to put food on the table for their families, has proposed raising Washington's minimum wage by as much as $2.50 an hour. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s big ideas face big hurdles

Mike Baker · January 20, 2014 5:00 am

In this Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013 photo, skycap Biniyam Yehuala hefts a traveler's bag at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Wash. A campaign to set a $15 minimum wage in the city of SeaTac is poised for victory. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Washington wage initiative appears poised for victory

Mike Baker · November 26, 2013 5:00 am

In this Oct. 22 file photo, 16-year veteran skycap Fred Harris prepares multiple baggage tags for a traveler at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Wash. An early vote count showed a measure to create a $15 minimum wage in the Washington city of SeaTac is winning with 54 percent of the vote. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Initiative for $15 wage in Washington city winning early vote count

Mike Baker · November 6, 2013 5:00 am

Washington advocates file gun control initiative

Washington advocates file gun control initiative

Mike Baker · June 11, 2013 6:33 pm

State: Fire chief got $550K in extra pension money

State: Fire chief got $550K in extra pension money

Mike Baker · June 1, 2013 12:28 am

A collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River is seen in an aerial view Friday, May 24, 2013, in Mt. Vernon, Wash. Part of the bridge collapsed Thursday evening, sending cars and people into the water when a an oversized truck hit the span, the Washington State Patrol chief said. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday declared a state of emergency in three counties around the bridge, saying that the bridge collapse has caused extensive disruption, impacting the citizens and economy in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Mike Siegel) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; SEATTLEPI.COM OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Thousands of bridges at risk of freak collapse

Mike Baker, Joan Lowy · May 25, 2013 4:00 am

Trucker bumps I-5 bridge, sees tragedy behind him

Trucker bumps I-5 bridge, sees tragedy behind him

Mike Baker, Manuel Valdes · May 24, 2013 4:00 am

FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2013 file photo, a customer looks over shotguns on display at the annual New York State Arms Collectors Association Albany Gun Show at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, N.Y. After struggling to sway both state and federal lawmakers, proponents of expanding background checks for gun sales are now exploring whether they will have more success by taking the issue directly to voters. While advocates generally prefer that new gun laws be passed through the legislative process, especially at the national level, they are also concerned about how much sway the National Rifle Association has with lawmakers. Washington state Rep. Jamie Pedersen, a Democrat who had sponsored unsuccessful legislation on background checks at the state level, said a winning ballot initiative would make a statement with broad implications. (AP Photo/Philip Kamrass, File)

A new front for gun background checks: the ballot

Mike Baker · April 28, 2013 4:00 am

House Democrats approve Wash. tax package

House Democrats approve Wash. tax package

Mike Baker · April 24, 2013 11:57 pm

FILE - In this April 3, 2013 file photo, Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, talks to reporters in Olympia, Wash. Hargrove is one of the budget writers on a Washington state plan proposing to move some government workers out of a state-sponsored health plan and into an exchange developed under President Barack Obama's health care law. (AP Photo/The Olympian, Steve Bloom, file)

Governments may push workers to health exchange

Mike Baker · April 24, 2013 4:00 am