Some Legislators Recall Boozy Finish To Last Session

Amid the bright pomp of the Legislature’s opening day Monday, a few lawmakers recalled the final, bleary night of the last session when several legislators were seen boozing on the job.

“To see open consumption of alcohol in the House of Representatives was very disappointing for me, especially considering the important bills that we were voting on that evening,” said Rep. Mark Sterk, R-Spokane.

Sterk has introduced a measure to ban possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in legislative buildings, and several legislators interviewed Monday said they would support it or consider doing so.

His measure, HB1068, specifies that “no person may knowingly possess or consume liquor” in the Capitol or in either the House or Senate office buildings. Violators could be fined $250.

“I know the people didn’t send me or any of the rest of the representatives to do that (drink on the job), and it looks like the only way to stop it is to outlaw it,” said Sterk, a Spokane police officer.

The Washington State Patrol says there is no law prohibiting alcohol in public buildings. Policy set by the Department of General Administration prohibits consuming alcohol in public areas of the Capitol campus, though it doesn’t define what those areas are.

The House and Senate floors, the legislative office buildings and the governor’s mansion are not considered public areas.

It is illegal to drink in state parks, and state workers are not allowed to drink on the job.

“I would support the bill,” said Steve Van Luven, R-Bellevue, echoing the sentiment of several colleagues. “After what I saw last session, the drinking on the floor, I would say it’s time. It’s embarrassing.”

Some expressed indifference. Senate budget chief Jim West, R-Spokane, said he had no strong views on the issue: “I could take it or leave it.” “It would kind of put a damper on the Inaugural Ball, wouldn’t it?” he said with a shrug.

House Speaker Clyde Ballard, a teetotaler himself, had not seen the measure but said it would be considered.

Last year, he questioned whether such legislation would work, since there is no way to police lawmakers in their offices.

Instead, he said, the leadership should make it clear that drinking won’t be tolerated.

He expressed frustration at the behavior of some House members during the last session, behavior he said he did not witness because he was busy running the session.

“I don’t go around with a Breathalyzer. These are adult people and they should know. On the floor of the House, to drink in excess, if that did go on, is simply inappropriate,” said Ballard, R-East Wenatchee.

Among the issues before lawmakers on the final day last session were property tax relief and a state construction budget. When the midnight adjournment deadline rolled around, those two major priorities had not passed.

Rep. Tim Sheldon, D-Hoodsport, said Monday he supports tight limits rather than an outright ban on drinking in legislative buildings.

Sheldon said he would seek to impose limits through an amendment to the House’s internal rules. He said he would submit a proposed amendment specifying that the only time alcohol could be possessed or consumed in legislative facilities would be if the state issued a “banquet permit.”