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Peter Callaghan is a local columnist. He’s covered the statehouse and state politics since 1981. Before joining The News Tribune in 1985, the Stadium High grad worked for newspapers in Everett and Lewiston, Idaho, and for The Associated Press in Olympia and Seattle. Email Peter

Joe Turner has covered state government and transportation issues since 1990. Since the Bellarmine grad’s arrival in the newsroom in 1978, he’s covered police, suburban cities, Tacoma City Hall, Federal Way City Hall and the Pierce and King county governments. Email Joe

David Wickert covers Pierce County government. Before coming to The News Tribune in 1998, he covered local government for newspapers in Illinois, Virginia and Tennessee. Email David

Ian Demsky is a general assignment reporter who specializes in database-driven reporting. He's been at the News Tribune since 2007 and has previously worked in Nashville, Tenn. and Portland, Ore. When he's not at work, he enjoys hiking and science fiction. Email Ian
Les Blumenthal has been covering Washington, D.C. for The News Tribune since 1990, focusing on issues and politicians involving the state. Before joining The News Tribune, he spent 13 years working for The Associated Press in Seattle, Illinois and Washington, D.C. Email Les

John Henrikson is a local news editor who oversees political coverage. He's worked as a journalist in the Northwest for 19 years, supervising coverage and reporting on local and state government, the environment and growth. Email John

Local politics links
Brad Shannon's The Politics Blog (The Olympian)
Adam Wilson (The Olympian)
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P-I's Strange Bedfellows (Seattle PI)
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Let's talk politics.
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
Posted by Joe Turner @ 08:52:24 am

Christopher Liu sent an e-mail to inform others of his decision to leave the agency, and it was kindly forwarded to the TNT.

Liu's salary in April 2008 was $120,000 or so. Still is, according to The Guv's budget office. (The state salary schedule that usually comes out on Jan. 31 of odd-numbered years still is under production at the governor's budget office. And I'm trying to get it so we can post it on our Web page.)

To all,
The start of the fiscal year is often a time to reflect back as well as look ahead. With that in mind, I’d like to draw your attention to the amazing work this Lottery team has done in just the short time since I’ve been lucky enough to join the agency. I have set very high goals and the Lottery team has worked hard—together--to accomplish those goals, which include strengthening our relationship with retailers to provide the best possible business advice and make a case for other local businesses which may be interested in selling lottery products. We’ve diligently worked to grow relationships with the Legislature.

[More:]

We’ve improved internal communications to work together better as a team and have focused on financials as a way to push sales and thus, contributions to the citizens of Washington State .
Given these accomplishments, now is the time for change, and the next challenge. As you know, I’ve worked in both the private sector and public. I have been contemplating a move for quite some time—waiting for the best time for the agency and myself. Now is that time.
I have informed the Governor I will be leaving the Lottery to pursue the next challenge and am considering a number of exciting opportunities. The Governor will take time and care to name a new Director. I will continue to serve until the Governor has appointed a new Director and will assist with any transition needed.
Thank you for your commitment, support, dedication and professionalism in your daily mission to make this Lottery the best Lottery in the nation. I can not over emphasize how much I appreciate each and every one of you. It has truly been an honor to work with each person here, and I look forward to chatting with all of you in the days ahead.

Thank you,

Christopher Liu
Director,
Washington's Lottery

Categories: Governor, State government