Christine Gregoire

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Governors of U.S. states see a new threat to their fragile budget and economic situations: the federal government.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - State governors and their Chinese counterparts agreed on Saturday to strengthen ties between their local governments and increase economic opportunities, as states seek help for their hefty budget struggles.

Lawmakers in Washington State have introduced a gay marriage bill. Lawmakers in Washington State have introduced a gay marriage bill, The Columbian reported. Democratic Representative Jim Moeller introduced his bill in the House on Tuesday, while Senator Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat, introduced a companion bill in the Senate on Monday. Washington state lawmakers defined marriage as an institution between a man and a woman when it banned gay marriage in 1998. In 2006, the Washington Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law. The state, however, recognizes gay and lesbian couples with domestic partnerships. In 2009, the Legislature expanded its domestic partnerships law to include all the rights and responsibilities of marriage. Opponents put the law up for a vote, but voters decided to keep the law. ?Over the past several years, the Legislature and the public together have been steadily building a bridge to equality for gay and lesbian families,? Moeller, who is openly gay,

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republican leaders said on Tuesday they were considering introducing legislation to allow financially stressed U.S. states to declare bankruptcy, even though the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives has rebuffed the idea.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republican leaders said on Tuesday they were considering introducing legislation to allow financially stressed U.S. states to declare bankruptcy, even though the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives has rebuffed the idea.

High-tech company anchors new `composites campus' in Port Angeles. A fast-growing, local company that supplies parts to Boeing and other aerospace companies will be the "anchor" tenant for a new composites manufacturing campus, the Port of Port Angeles said Wednesday.

State AGs ask RJ Reynolds to stop Camel cigarette 'Break Free Adventure' marketing campaign. The National Association of Attorneys General is asking cigarette maker RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. to stop a promotional campaign for Camel cigarettes that the group says appeals to young people.

Former congressional candidate Suzan DelBene to head Wash. Department of Revenue. Former congressional candidate Suzan DelBene was appointed director of the state Department of Revenue on Tuesday, with Gov. Chris Gregoire saying that the former Microsoft executive "has the knowledge, skills and experience needed to guide the agency through what is a transformative time for the department and the state."

Coal industry seeks to ramp up exports of Mont., Wyo. coal through West Coast ports. The coal industry is maneuvering to sharply ramp up its U.S. exports to Asia out of the West Coast, with the first of several potential port expansions along the Columbia River now before officials in Washington state.

Wash. state bans alcoholic energy drinks after mass hospitalization from college party. Retailers have a week to clear millions of dollars worth of alcoholic energy drinks from their shelves after state regulators banned them Wednesday, citing the hospitalization of nine dangerously drunk college students last month.

Wash. state bans alcoholic energy drinks after mass hospitalization from college party. Washington state is banning alcoholic energy drinks after nine college students were hospitalized following a party last month.

Wash. state considers banning alcoholic energy drinks in aftermath of student hospitalizations. Washington state's Liquor Control Board is considering a ban on alcoholic energy drinks, a month after nine college students there were hospitalized after drinking the sugary beverages at an off-campus party.

Wash Gov. Gregoire says Moses Lake carbon fiber plant could become world's largest. A new carbon fiber plant being built in Moses Lake could become the largest facility of its kind in the world because of strong demand for the composites by German carmaker BMW AG, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Friday.

Federal court approves delays in toxic tank cleanup at nation's most contaminated nuclear site. The U.S. District Court in Spokane has approved a new schedule that delays the cleanup of radioactive waste from the nation's most contaminated nuclear site by about 20 years.

Alcoholic energy drinks face further scrutiny after Central Washington freshmen hospitalized. Sugary, high-alcohol energy drinks that are popular with college students who want to get drunk quickly and cheaply came under renewed scrutiny Monday as investigators announced that nine freshmen had been hospitalized after drinking them at an off-campus party.

Murray, Rossi argue about taxes, government's role during 1st debate in Wash. US Senate race. Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Republican challenger Dino Rossi argued about taxes and the role of government during their first debate of the campaign Thursday evening.

State, fed governments seek court approval of new cleanup schedule for Hanford nuclear site. State and federal agencies asked a federal judge Wednesday to approve a new cleanup schedule for the Hanford nuclear reservation, the nation's most polluted nuclear weapons site.

Close races, late tallies could prolong fight for control of Congress, keep key races in limbo. The nation may be waiting well beyond Election Day this year to find out who won control of Congress.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Washington state's budget shortfall will grow by an additional $1.4 billion through June 2013 when its next 2-year budget cycle ends as consumers continue to scrimp and construction is at a standstill, the state's chief economist said on Thursday.

Costco wants to change liquor rules in Washington state; voters will decide in November. The cavernous stores in Costco's home state lack something you can find in its warehouses in California, Alaska and many other places: bottles of Maker's Mark, Absolut vodka and other popular brands of hard liquor.