BuilderGate news:  
Union activists who've been shadowing Republican Dino Rossi's campaign in recent days to hand out "Dino Dollars" from special interest groups were on hand Wednesday in Seattle as Rossi was deposed regarding his role in the Building Industry Association of Washington's campaign contribution scandal. See TV coverage here, here, and here. 
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- Lawyers in angry duel during Rossi deposition -- Rossi's lawyers objected to dozens of questions in the rancorous four-hour, closed-door session, fueling combative exchanges that appeared juvenile at times.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Rossi deposition exposes bitter gubernatorial campaign -- The BIAW faces charges by the state attorney general that it broke campaign finance laws, especially in connection with the Rossi election effort. Rossi critics complain that the builders violated campaign finance laws in raising millions of dollars to help defeat Gov. Chris Gregoire.
▪  At HorsesAss.org -- The Rossi deposition -- Rossi confirmed that he took BIAW affiliates out to lunch in Bellevue in June 2007, shortly after his apparent fundraising phone calls. While Rossi refuses to acknowledge the lunch was a fundraising lunch, his answer contradicts meeting notes.

Vote Early, Vote Carefully:
▪  In today's Spokesman-review -- Hundreds of ballots may be invalid -- More than 40% of the voters in Spokane County have already cast their ballots. But more than 700 of those voters didn’t sign their envelopes properly, and their ballots can’t be counted until that problem is corrected.
▪  In today's LA Times -- Vote watchdogs warn of troubles on Election Day -- Lawsuits have already been filed over efforts to purge rolls and challenging voter identification laws.
▪  In today's NY Times -- The decided go in droves to vote early -- In 2004, 22% of voters cast an early presidential ballot, and the number is expected to climb to 30% to 35% this year.
▪  In today's NY Times -- The success of early voting (editorial) -- Early voting has many advantages. The main one is that it makes it likely that more eligible voters will participate in democracy.
▪  In today's Wash. Post -- Early voters breaking records -- Poll: 59% of early votes are for Obama.

Local news:
▪  In today's Everett Herald -- Boeing, SPEEA talks "productive" -- Discussions were "reasonably productive," wrote Ray Goforth, SPEEA's executive director. But "it is clear major differences exist on key issues," union leaders said in an update last night.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Some Seattle schools must close, board decides -- The school board says  an unspecified number of schools must close and enrollment imbalances must be addressed.

State election news:
▪  In today's Daily News -- Gregoire campaigns in Longview -- “(Cowlitz) County is critical for us. Very critical for us. The county is comprised of working families, and those families should know who’s for working families and who’s not,” the governor told about 130 excited supporters at the Longview hall of the International Longshore and Warehouse Local 21.
▪  In today's Columbian -- Gregoire touts record, praises Obama on visit to Vancouver -- Just six days before the election, she holds an upbeat pep rally for about 100 volunteers.
▪  In today's Seattle P-I -- Gregoire, Rossi both spend big, but focus is different -- The governor has spent more on staff than Rossi. Gregoire's communications director says the campaign is not ashamed of paying good wages for high-quality campaign personnel.
▪  In today's Seattle Times -- I-985 opposition peaking late -- Opponents say they got a late start and have limited funds. But they hope a radio ad and a leafleting campaign will counter Eyman's I-985.

National news:
▪  In today's NY Times -- Public works projects promoted at hearing -- Business executives and Republicans joined Democrats and labor unions in clamoring for a multibillion dollar initiative to stimulate the economy with more federal spending on roads and bridges, waterways, airports, railways, schools and energy-saving technology.
▪  Today from AP -- Profit down, Qwest to cut 1,200 jobs -- The cuts will come before the end of the year, which will leave the company with 33,500 employees, 9% fewer than at the end of last year.
▪  In today's NY Times -- With 58% jump in profit, a record quarter for Exxon -- The past quarter extends a staggering run for Exxon. Its profits have exceeded $10 billion in 9 of the last 12 quarters. In the third quarter, Exxon said its profit rose 58% to $14.8 billion. 

EVERETT -- at the Labor Temple, 2812 Lombard Ave.
Contact: Neal Safrin, 425-931-4875

SPOKANE --  at IUOE 370, 510 S. Elm
Contact: Orville Arnold, 509-475-0517

VANCOUVER -- at the IAFF Hall, 2807 NW Fruit Valley Road
Contacts: Don Barber, 800-967-9356, and Mike Carnahan, 360-921-7484