Democrats racked up wins

Sun., March 12, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

OLYMPIA – Democrats in the Legislature pushed through an ambitious agenda that included gay rights and bipartisan compromises on medical malpractice, unemployment insurance and the Columbia River.

“I think we did a lot,” said House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam. “I have no regrets this session.”

Gay rights was the issue that overshadowed almost everything else in January, and lawmakers worked to get it quickly passed over contentious debate. The Senate, which had held up the measure for years, passed the bill after Republican Sen. Bill Finkbeiner of Kirkland had a change of heart and voted for it.

“I feel better about that whole experience than anything else I’ve done down here,” he said.

But if an initiative to overturn the newly passed measure adding “sexual orientation” to the state’s anti-discrimination laws is successful, lawmakers may have to revisit that issue.

Republicans, meanwhile, counted the Columbia River plan, sex predator legislation and a measure providing energy assistance to low-income families as areas where their voice was heard.

“We have our fingerprints on a lot of things this year,” said House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Centralia. “I do feel we had an active role. Would I have liked more? Yeah. But you have to be in the majority to have more, so I’m a realist.”

Lawmakers also made Washington only the second state in the country with requirements to use biofuels and biodiesel, to take effect by December 2008. Some Republicans expressed concern about the mandates, but supporters say they create a market for the state’s farmers. Budget writers also designated millions of dollars to biofuel low-interest loan programs to plant the seeds for the production, refining and infrastructure for alternative fuels.

But for all the accomplishments, the session ended on a sour note when Senate Republicans accused Democrats of reneging on a deal to resurrect a languishing GOP bill before adjourning.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dan Roach, R-Bonney Lake, would have restricted protests at funerals.

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, downplayed Republican objections by saying time had simply run out. She chalked up the failed vote to an “unfortunate miscommunication.”

Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, said he was disappointed by how it ended, because he felt both parties were working well together.

“The tone on the floor was very collegial this past year,” he said. “It’s very unfortunate we had to end the day we did.”

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.