Gov. Chris Gregoire's time in office may be best remembered for the major deals she helped broker, often in late-night bargaining sessions in which negotiators were ordered to find a resolution.

Now the Democrat is looking to finalize one more big agreement before she leaves Washington state government.

Over the past year, Gregoire has been working to build support for a congressional plan that would allow states to collect sales tax from online retailers based elsewhere. Similar efforts in Congress over the past decade have all failed, even as online sales have become more common.

Gregoire said the current lame-duck Congress is perhaps the best time to pass the measure, with some Republican governors and lawmakers signaling their support. She said the issue is a matter of fairness, helping states collect taxes that are due and helping local businesses compete on a level playing field with online counterparts.