Legislature

Highlights: A bill lowering a motorist’s allowable blood-alcohol level to .08, down from .10, was among a flurry of bills the Republican led Legislature sent Democratic Gov. Gary Locke in the rush to beat a Thursday adjournment of the 60-day session.

The state Fish and Wildlife Commission, facing a projected $17 million revenue shortfall, asked angry lawmakers to consider a plan that calls for trimming the agency’s middle management corps. The panel left for another day the question of job security for the department’s embattled director, Bern Shanks.

Coming up:

The Fish and Wildlife Commission scheduled a meeting for Monday to continue discussion of a request for the Legislature’s help in dealing with a projected $17 million revenue shortfall.

Days in session:

Saturday was day 55 of the 60-day session.

Legislative hotline:

1-800-562-6000 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

On the internet:

http://www.wa.gov for the state of Washington’s home page.

http://www.leg.wa.gov for the state-run Legislative Service Center.

Other people’s Houses:

JUNEAU - A Republican bid to keep Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles from raising campaign cash while the Legislature is in session fell short Friday in the House.

The bill would ban all candidates for state office from raising money during the session. Sitting lawmakers already face such a ban, which leaves Senate Majority Leader and gubernatorial hopeful Robin Taylor, R-Wrangell, at a disadvantage. Supporters said they want to level the playing field.

“This is the kind of bill that makes Alaskans cynical about politics,” said Rep. Ethan Berkowitz, D-Anchorage, who called for lifting the fund-raising ban for all candidates. “It punishes candidates midstream and it limits free speech.”