"Washington State House passes Columbia River water storage plan"

Update 2/14/2006: The same bill passed the state Senate today, 48 to zip. It was a love fest on Valentine's Day. Section 11 of the bill states in its entirety: "If specific authority to issue general obligation bonds of at least two hundred million dollars for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not providrd by June 30, 2006, in a bond authorization act, this act is null and void." The act is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2006 -- and you can count on that. SeattlePI.com : By RACHEL LA CORTE

" A new Columbia River management plan was approved by the House on Monday night, but the measure hangs on a $200 million funding package recommended by Gov. Chris Gregoire. The plan, which focuses on conservation and building new reservoirs, passed overwhelmingly on a 94-4 bipartisan vote. It now heads to the Senate, where Gregoire said she hoped it would be approved Tuesday."