Republicans To Try Sidestepping Lowry

Sat., March 2, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

House Republicans on Friday introduced a new strategy in their effort to get tough changes to the welfare system past a skeptical governor.

They added an amendment to the GOP welfare plan that would let Washington voters decide the issue in November. Gov. Mike Lowry, who opposes Republican proposals to cut welfare benefits to the poor, could not veto a referendum.

Rep. Suzette Cooke, a Kent Republican who is shepherding the GOP welfare bill, said the referendum clause became necessary after lawmakers missed a self-imposed deadline to reach a compromise with Democrats this week.

They needed to send a bill to the governor by Friday in order to leave themselves enough time to override a possible veto before next Thursday’s adjournment. But informal talks collapsed Wednesday night.

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