Unprecedented string of victories highlight short legislative session

March 9, 2006

OLYMPIA – A session of breakthroughs, bipartisanship and a budget that saves $950 million wrapped up Wednesday, with a day to spare.

“We came in looking to be fiscally responsible, while at the same time helping create jobs, bolster education and increase access to quality health care,” Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) said. “On all fronts, this session has been a victory all of Washington.”

BUDGET

Early on House Democrats vowed to pass a budget that saves for the future. That promise was kept with over $950 million of the $1.6 billion surplus put in the bank, saving two dollars for every dollar spent.

“This is a budget that makes critical investments in education, health care and economic development, and saves for the future,” Rep. Helen Sommers (D-Seattle) said. “We accomplished our policy goals while setting aside substantial reserves, $950 million, for the next biennium.”

BIODIESEL and ENERGY FREEDOM

Legislators from both sides of the aisle put together a bipartisan package of legislation that will make Washington state a leader in alternative energy and biodiesel. The focus of this session has been passing the Energy Freedom Project, laying the groundwork for these efforts in the state.

“Every year, we fill up our tanks and send $9 billion of our money out of our state,” the bill’s author, Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish) said. “Instead of handing our wallets to Exxon and the Saudi royal family, let’s give that money to local farmers and create jobs here.”

CIVIL RIGHTS

After 30 years of attempts to apply state anti-discrimination laws to gays and lesbians in our state, this session proved to be the one to see it through. The passage was a victory for all of Washington’s citizens, protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination in banking, housing and employment.

“Passing this bill was about catching up with society,” Rep. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) said. “Passing this for gays and lesbians in our state was decades overdue. But this vote was an important step to ensuring all of our citizens are treated equally.”

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

The legislature also tackled the issue of medical mal practice liability. Following the defeat of two competing ballot measures last November, the legislature approved a ground-breaking compromise that saves lives by reducing medical errors, lowers premiums for doctors, and reforms our civil liability system.

“The agreed upon medical malpractice package is a real reform that will create real results," Rep. Patricia Lantz (D-Gig Harbor) chair of the Judiciary Committee said. "The voters of our state have made it clear that they did not want such a serious issue decided by special interest groups. They want a real solution where everyone is at the table. I am excited to say that we have that compromise.”

SEX OFFENDERS

Putting sex-offenders away for longer prison sentences was also a priority for the legislature. The House proposal designed to catch and convict more offenders passed both legislative bodies with overwhelming bi-partisan support.

“Police and prosecutors tell us we’ve made our bills as tough as you can get without leading to fewer convictions,” chair of the Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, Rep. Al O’Brien (D-Mountlake Terrace) said. “These bills are specifically designed for victims to speak out, which is the first thing we need to get sex offenders locked-up.”

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Another breakthrough was achieved as Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives announced agreement to make permanent changes in the way in which unemployment insurance benefits are calculated.

“This is an historic and balanced compromise on unemployment insurance,” Rep. Steve Conway (D-Tacoma) chair of the House Commerce and Labor Committee said. “In 2003, legislation was passed over labor’s objections. In ’05, business interests weren’t pleased with the end result. Today we have a bill that protects claimants as well as reduces taxes for business, and ensures a well-funded trust fund for the future.”

After 59 days of work, the Legislature was able to accomplish all of these, as well as hundreds of other, policy achievements with a day to spare.

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