‘Things Have Changed,’ Valley Legislators Warn
Stripped of its power in both the House and Senate, the Valley’s all-Republican legislative delegation met Monday with constituents to reassure - and warn - them.
“Things have changed,” said 4th District Rep. Larry Crouse, who will be forced to share his chairmanship position on the Technology, Telecommnications and Energy Committee this session.
Last month, voters revoked a Republican majority in the House, turning it into an even 49-49 GOP-Democrat split and leading to a sharing of power not seen in that chamber since 1979.
In the Senate, voters pulled power completely away from the Republicans, handing Democrats a 27-22 seat majority.
The shift in power cost the Valley’s long-time state Sen. Bob McCaslin his chairmanship of the government operations committee.
It also will mean that the tax cuts and reforms of recent years probably won’t continue.
“It will be difficult,” McCaslin said Monday at a luncheon with members of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. “The philosophy of the Democrats will prevail. With 27 (members in the Senate), they can pass anything they want.”
The Republicans, in essence, blamed themselves for the shift of power.
”(Democrats) did a better job of getting their people registered and out to vote,” Crouse said. “I believe the Republicans were a little apathetic.”
The new balance of power, legislators said, will mean that volatile or fringe legislation won’t have much of a shot for passage over the next few years.
Although Republicans may try, property tax reforms, motor vehicle tax reductions and other goals discussed during recent campaigns probably won’t be achieved. “The bills we pass are going to be bipartisan,” said Crouse, who hopes the even split in the House will cause legislators to cooperate more and argue about fringe issues less.
If that happens, he said, “We might end up with a far better session than we think.”
The Valley delegation consists of Sen. McCaslin, an 18-year-veteran, Rep. Crouse, a 4-year veteran, and Rep. Lynn Schindler, a newcomer who took over Mark Sterk’s seat after he stepped down to run for sheriff.
Their committee assignments - with the exception of chairmanships, which already have been assigned - will be determined this week.
McCaslin expects to serve on government operations and on corrections and human services.
Crouse will co-chair technology, telecommunications and energy, and expects to be reassigned to appropriations.
Schindler hopes to be assigned to transportation, education and judiciary.
Although their power has been temporarily stripped, the legislators assured constituents that their long-term goals remain the same. They encouraged Valley residents to contact them with about issues and concerns.
“Even,” Schindler said, “if you’re mad.”