2006 session closes with gamut of winners, losers

OLYMPIA – In January, lawmakers arriving in Olympia predicted a session of modest progress and a little budget tweaking.

That’s not how it turned out. After 59 days, exhausted legislators packed up their cars and headed home from a session that turned into a breathless sprint.

“You know, I’m tired,” admitted Rep. David Buri, R-Colfax. “I have not stepped foot in my house since I left in January.”

Lawmakers passed a $1.3 billion supplemental budget, passed hundreds of bills, and worked out compromises on a long list of problems.

Here’s a look – in no particular order – at some of the 2006 session’s winners and losers:

Winners

“Farmers: A $4.5 million tax break for diesel fuel used on farms, a $5.8 million tax break for farm equipment parts, and millions of dollars intended to spur the growing of oilseeds for biodiesel production.

“Water users: Fish, farmers, cities and industry will share “new water” created by a $200 million effort to find water storage areas along the Columbia River. The idea is to store massive quantities of water during wet months of the year, then use it during summer.

“Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people: These groups were added to the state’s anti-discrimination law.

“Park users: Will no longer have to pay the $5-a-day fee to park at state parks.

“Jabbering motorists: Lawmakers declined to ban use of handheld phones while driving.

“Families struggling with the rent: $21 million was approved for affordable housing and weatherization.

“Sick families: The budget includes millions of dollars to provide medical care for thousands of low-income children and add 6,500 people to the Basic Health Plan, the state’s subsidized medical coverage for the working poor.

“The mentally ill: The budget includes millions of dollars more for mental health programs, particularly in Spokane and Seattle.

“Environmentalists: Won approval of bills to recycle consumer electronics, encourage alternative fuels and sharply limit phosphates in dishwasher detergents.

“Teen gamblers: A bill to raise the gambling age from 18 to 21 failed.

“Struggling students: Lawmakers approved alternative tests for kids who cannot pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, which is required for graduation starting with the Class of 2008.

“Teachers: Got an extra half-a-percent pay increase.

“Baseball teams: Got $7 million to fix up five minor-league ballparks, including $2 million for Avista Stadium in Spokane.

“Food banks: Second Harvest in Spokane will get $300,000 for refrigeration equipment.

“Nurses: Lawmakers, upon hearing that many nurses are injuring their backs trying to lift patients, voted to require more training. The bill includes a tax break for lifting equipment.

“Wal-Mart: Bill failed that would have required the state’s largest companies to spend at least 9 percent of payroll on health care costs.

“Timber industry: Got a $4.6 million tax break.

“Supersizers: A $2.2 million restaurant tax break on soda pop syrup passed.

“Film companies: The state’s setting up a $3.5 million fund to support local productions. The money comes from donations, but donors are rewarded with a dollar-for-dollar state tax break.

Losers

“Sex offenders: Will face tougher penalties, including a mandatory 25-year minimum sentence for many sex crimes.

“Tobacco companies: Can no longer give out free samples of their products, including chewing tobacco.

“Journalists: Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna pushed for a bill to shield reporters from being forced to reveal confidential sources or go to jail. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, wouldn’t bring the bill up for a vote.

“The onion: Schoolchildren tried to convince lawmakers to declare the Walla Walla sweet onion the state vegetable, but the effort was stymied by indignant potato growers.

“Vacationing voters: The September primary election was moved to August.

“Geese and ducks: A bill failed that would have banned force-feeding of these birds, whose fattened livers are used to make the delicacy foie gras.

“The Sonics: Lawmakers balked at the Seattle basketball team’s request for a $200 million tax extension by the Seattle basketball team to pay for $220 million in repairs or replacement of KeyArena

“Chronic drunken- and drugged drivers: A new law allowing felony charges for a fifth DUI in a decade takes effect next year. Those convicted would average 22 months in state prison.