How they voted
Washingtonvotes.org is tracking key votes of Eastern Washington legislators for The Spokesman-Review:
Treating Gambling Problems: By a vote of 57-39 on March 14, the House approved House Bill 1031, which provides long-term funding for treating gambling problems. The bill funds the problem- and pathological-gambling treatment program by transfers from state lottery revenue and by a new B&O tax on gambling businesses. The bill is under consideration in the Senate.
Yes: Reps. Alex Wood, D-Spokane; Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane; David Buri, R-Colfax.
No: Reps. Larry Crouse, R-Spokane Valley; Lynn Schindler, R-Spokane Valley; John Serben, R-Spokane; John Ahern, R-Spokane; Bob Sump, R-Republic; Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda; Don Cox, R-Colfax.
State Route 290: By a vote of 86-0 on Wednesday, the House approved Senate Bill 5356, which changes the alignment of SR 290 in Spokane. SR 290 would begin at SR 90 in Spokane. That portion of SR 290 currently beginning at SR 2 and ending at Hamilton Street would be transferred to the city of Spokane. The bill passed the Senate 42-0 on Feb. 25. The bill is now awaiting signature or veto by the governor.
Yes: Wood, Ormsby, Crouse, Schindler, Serben, Ahern, Sump, Kretz, Cox, Buri.
Stem Cell Research: By a vote of 56-36 on March 15, the House approved House Bill 1268, which prohibits reproductive cloning or attempted reproductive cloning of a human being. The bill establishes the Human Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee to develop guidelines for conducting research on human embryonic stem cells and requires health care providers to inform fertility treatment patients of their options regarding the disposal of unused embryos. The bill also requires patients to provide written consent before donating unused embryos for research. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.
Yes: Wood, Ormsby.
No: Crouse, Schindler, Serben, Ahern, Kretz, Cox, Buri.
Excused: Sump.
“Green” Building Standards: By a vote of 78-19 on Wednesday, the House approved Senate Bill 5509, which requires major building projects of public agencies, public school districts, and other entities who receive funding in the state capital budget to be designed, constructed and certified to a specified “green” environmental performance standard (the “LEED” silver standard or the Washington sustainable school design protocol). The bill passed the Senate 32-16 on March 11. The bill is awaiting signature or veto by the governor.
Yes: Wood, Ormsby, Cox, Buri.
No: Crouse, Schindler, Serben, Ahern, Sump, Kretz.