WA Lege Day 17: Spokane comes to Oly
OLYMPIA -- State legislators won't spend much time on "the floor" today, but have a full slate of hearings on everything from foreclosures to college efficiencies to smoking in cars with kids.
Meanwhile, members of the Greater Spokane Inc. delegation is scheduled to hit town around noon, where they will meet with key legislators on health care, transportation and spending issues over the next two and a half days.
What do they want most? Some movement forward on a medical school in Spokane. What are their chances? Remains to be seen. But they'll have a chance to lobby legislative leaders and the governor at various points.
Republican leaders have their weekly press conference at noon.
Among the bills up for committee discussion this afternoon is SB 5016, which would allow law enforcemenet officers to ticket anyone for smoking in a car with a person under 18. It would be a secondary infraction, meaning that police couldn't stop you just for smoking with kids in the car. It's up for discussion in the Senate Transportation Committee at 3:30 p.m.
The Senate Higher Education Committee is looking at SB 5107, which would consolidate all the boards of regents for the state universities and colleges, and make one Board of Regents of 19 people for all baccalaureate granting public schools. It would abolish the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the governor's Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board and the Council of Presidents.