Ken Dammand: You’ve heard of pickleball; let’s play pick-a-bill

Published 1:30 am Saturday, February 19, 2022

By Ken Dammand / Herald Forum

State Senate Bill 5615, introduced by Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, would make pickleball the official sport of Washington state. It’s a great game, was created by former Lt. Gov. Joel Pritchard and has worldwide popularity. We should take official credit for it.

Thanks to our great legislative website, Washingtonians can exercise their political muscles in a similar sounding game that should become Washington State’s official political game: Pickabill.

Here’s how it works:

“Pickabill” that interests you. The “Bill Information” menu at www.leg.wa.gov lists every bill being considered in Olympia. You can search by subject or bill number. You might be surprised what you find. For example, there are over 300 bills that deal with schools. And over 40 that deal with firearms. These are the cracks, crevices, and details where the devil lives. He dares you to play Pickabill.

Having picked a bill, place your bet: pass or fail. Extra points if you call in advance the committee that kills it. The Rules Committee is always a good bet. But you are not just an observer. You can attend every committee hearing on the bill, sign in “pro” or “con,” and have two minutes to testify if you choose, all from the comfort of your home.

Playing Pickabill increases your political power and will definitely give you a deeper appreciation for the difficulty faced when 147 people enter the sack race that is our legislative process. They need and want our input.

Find your cause and play Pickabill! (May I suggest SB 5597, the state voting rights act.)

Ken Dammand lives in Tulalip.