TVW has partnered with the Legislature to make it easier to get information about the bills that you care about: Now, you can watch video of bill debate and public hearing on the bill information page.

Let’s say you’re interested in revising the lien for the collection of sewage charges by counties — previously, you’d have to read the bill page, then search TVW’s web site for the hearings. Now, you can see all the related videos right from the bill’s page.

And if you’re really interested in tracking public policy, don’t forget our new, free service, Scout. Scout tracks all the issues, bills and court cases you care about and compiles video, committee materials and more in an easy-to-read home page.

Tags: Legislature, Scout, TVW

TVW launched a new service today to help you track the bills and issues you care about: Scout.

Scout is a free service that allows you to decide what you want to track, from gay marriage to levy equalization to the budget. Type the search into your account, then Scout will let you know whenever there’s new content on the subject. It’s not just limited to TVW video and webcasts — Scout also looks at legislative documents like bills and bill reports. And it allows you to share videos and content with others and keep them in the loop, too.

For more information on Scout, go here. Or register for a free account and get started right away here.

Tags: Scout, TVW

In case you missed today’s special opening day edition of “The Impact,” here’s the 20-minute interview with Gov. Gregoire in which she discusses the half-cent sales tax proposal, gay marriage, medical marijuana and education reform.

TVW interviewed nearly two dozen lawmakers as part of the 2-hour special, which will be rebroadcast tonight at 7 p.m. on TVW. You can also watch all of the clips from the special on the web.

Tags: Gov. Gregoire, TVW

Here’s a relaxing photo to enjoy before you hear the bad news: Ferry fares are going up.

Earlier this week, the Washington State Transportation Commission adopted a 2.5 percent general fare increase, effective Oct. 1. A 3 percent increase will go into effect May 1, 2012, and every fare will have a capital surcharge of 25 cents. In addition to that, vehicle fares will be restructured to encourage people to bring smaller vehicles onto the ferry.

The changes will help bring in $310 million as required by this biennium’s transportation budget.

While fares are going up, some of the changes are designed to encourage ferry riders to ride bicycles or drive smaller cars to save space. The restructured vehicle fares, for example, will eventually mean that those driving cars under 14 feet long will pay significantly less for their vehicle fare. And the annual bicycle permit is eliminated: Those with multi-ride cards, monthly passes or an ORCA card can bring a bike for free (except for in the San Juan Islands, where only multi-ride cardholders will be able to bring a bike for free).

There’s one more change that might not be as popular as free bike passes: A fuel surcharge. The surcharge would only go into effect if gas hits $4.08 per gallon, and the surcharge would be capped at 10 percent. Changes will be assessed quarterly and customers will get a 30 day notice if any surcharge changes are made.

All these changes are aimed at making the Washington State Ferry system slightly more sustainable. Currently, funding from the Legislature and fares doesn’t match costs. TVW’s Jessica Gao has spent the last month talking with ferry experts around the state and is preparing a documentary on the system that will air Tuesday, Sept. 27. Stay tuned to this blog for more information!

Tags: documentary, fares, ferries, transportation, TVW

This morning, KBTC public television began broadcasting TVW’s signal throughout all of Western Washington on channel 28.3 (15.3 in Centralia). That means TVW is broadcasting over the air (not just on cable) for the first time in its 15-year history.

The 24-hour transmission by KBTC means about 180,000 more homes in Washington will have access to TVW.

“Until now, TVW has never been broadcast over the air.  But even more important is that 180,000 Washington households that haven’t been able to watch their state elected officials firsthand will now have that important access.  This dramatically increases the transparency and openness of government provided by TVW,” said TVW President Greg Lane.

Earlier this year, KBTC was the first public television station in Washington to begin regularly airing two of TVW’s signature weekly produced public affairs programs, Inside Olympia and The Impact. These two programs are now also carried on the PBS stations in Spokane (KSPS), Pullman (KWSU) and the Tri-Cities (KTNW).

Tags: KBTC, TVW

If you haven’t voted yet, you have a little less than 8 hours to do so. Make sure your ballot is either in an official drop box or postmarked — not just dropped in the mailbox — today.

Then, go home and turn on TVW: We’ll have the most comprehensive results, interviews and analysis — all live. The show starts at 8 p.m. and continues until midnight. We’ll also have two reporters (myself included) stationed at the Republican and Democratic party headquarters to get additional interviews.

Don’t miss it!

Tags: elections, TVW, vote

Find out what’s candy and what’s not under the new state law — and how that will affect what you pay:

And on Inside Olympia, Austin Jenkins interviewed business groups about their legislative priorities — and the November election:

Tags: Business, candy, elections, Inside Olympia, tax, The Impact, TVW

And here’s tonight’s Inside Olympia with Austin Jenkins. He talks to state schools superintendent Randy Dorn about K-12 education:

Tags: education, Inside Olympia, The Impact, TVW

If you have an iPhone or web-capable iPod Touch, check out TVW’s web site now. It’s optimized for mobile devices and allows you to instantly access thousands of hours of programming — including hearings back to 1997, live webcasts and any of our produced shows — instantly.

And: Click the + sign at the bottom of the screen to add TVW’s app to your phone’s desktop. TVW Mobile is free, easy to use and puts all we offer right at your fingertips. Go try it now.

Tags: iPhone app, TVW

As of today, Richland can watch TVW on cable channel 18.

From the press release, sent out by the City of Richland: “In response to requests from residents, Richland is dedicating one of its franchise-granted channels to TVW.”

Richland, you’re just in time — the special session will end today or tomorrow, and there’s plenty of budget and tax programming to watch today. Welcome!

Tags: TVW