The big six

Energy

Both Democrats and Republicans want to boost alternative-fuel production. Among the proposals: requiring all diesel fuel in the state to include 2 percent biodiesel, a fuel derived from vegetable oil. Separately, lawmakers want more help for low-income people to pay their energy bills.

What’s happening: Low-income energy bill is done. State loans for Eastern Washington biodiesel plants are speeding through the statehouse. The Two Percent Solution, however, is proving a tougher sell. Instead of mandating that every gallon of diesel include 2 percent biodiesel, proponents are instead allowing fuel companies to average their biodiesel sales to meet the same level.

Crime

Lawmakers, particularly Republicans, are calling for tougher laws and restrictions on sex offenders. Also on the agenda: stronger penalties for methamphetamine production.

What’s happening: Sex offender bills are moving quickly through the statehouse, although a proposed mandatory 25-year minimum sentence for many sex crimes could prove expensive in coming years. Despite similar cost concerns over a locally backed bill targeting chronic drunken drivers, the so-called “felony DUI” bill remains alive for now.

WASL

Starting with the Class of 2008, high schoolers must pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning to graduate. Although scores continue to improve, many students are still failing. Lawmakers are pushing for alternative testing and more help for struggling students.

What’s happening: Lawmakers this week approved allowing alternative tests for students who fail the WASL twice. They also launched a study of how to get more students to pass.

Spending

After several years of budget deficits, the state now has a $1.4 billion surplus.

What’s happening: This week, the Senate will release its three budget proposals: general fund, construction and transportation. Lawmakers in both the House and the Senate say they’ll generally follow Gov. Chris Gregoire’s December blueprint: modest new spending, with most of the surplus going into the state’s bank account to help pay education and health care costs next year.

Gay rights

Since the 1970s, liberal lawmakers have been trying to make it illegal to discriminate against gays and lesbians in employment, housing or financial transactions.

What’s happening: The bill is law, thanks to a Republican senator who changed his mind and voted yes. Critics are trying to veto it with a citizens initiative this fall. In Olympia, however, all eyes are now on the state Supreme Court, which is due to rule on whether the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional.

Taxes and fees

Republicans began the year with a call to repeal the estate tax, but the Democratic majority is unlikely to agree. Other long-shot proposals: repeal of recent hikes in liquor and cigarette taxes.

What’s happening: The House has approved a bill to allow tax-free diesel to be used off-road on farms, and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown is trying to use tax credits to encourage donations of up to $5 million a year to a new fund to offset the costs of filming movies in-state. And a Gregoire-backed tax break for aerospace suppliers seems likely to pass. As for the unpopular $5-a-day “day use fees” in state parks? “My sense is that we want to roll back the fees this year,” said Brown.