With the regular legislative session in the books, it’s time to hand out a few honors.
Each year, in a most random and unscientific fashion, I dole out a few awards to lawmakers I call the Cappys, a name grafted from the location where the actions occur, the Capitol.
Apparently, the se
lections do not always appear random or unscientific enough. I’ve heard past honorees actually use receipt of a Cappy on the campaign trail as proof of their political talents gaining wide recognition.
That means a lot to me but winning one of these awards shouldn’t mean diddly to voters.
To help clear this up, I’m dropping categories like most valuable and rookie of the year and going with a different approach to leave no one confused that I am making note of a handful of lawmakers’ quips, quirks and accomplishments of the last 103 days.
Missed Memo: Speaker Pro Tem Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver
Traditionally, regular sessions end with House and Senate leaders simultaneously banging their gavels and declaring Sine Die. Moeller didn’t get the memo. He clocked out the House with nary a glance toward the Senate where a stunned and speechless Lt. Gov. Brad Owen watched. Owen deserves an award for most disappointed.
Boldest Opening Day Salvo: Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup
Kastama’s attempt to block the seating of Everett Democrat Nick Harper didn’t work. But it brought an unusual and unforgettable drama to otherwise droll first day proceedings.
Heavy Foot: Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett
Sells, the chairman of the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee, kept a workers compensation reform bill passed by the Senate and endorsed by the governor from ever surfacing in the House. It’s one of the reasons the Legislature is going into overtime.
Banjo Man: Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish
Dunshee plucked the emotional strings of rookie Rep. Jason Overstreet, R-Blaine, in a hearing on a bill for resizing House districts. Dunshee, a liberal and longtime legislator, argued changing the lines won’t upset democracy. If voters think you’re doing your job they’ll keep you in office. He recalled representing banjo-playing residents in politically conservative areas in Skagit and Whatcom counties. Overstreet took offense at the description and roared back in defense of those who are now his peeps.
Dollars and Sense: Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia
House Republicans talk a lot about how they’d erase the state’s budget deficit. This year Alexander, the ranking GOP member of the House budget committee, wrote up a plan for balancing the state’s future spending. Democrats rejected the proposal but may wind including a few of its tenets.
Most Uplifting: Ugandan Orphans Choir
On March 23, at noon, the rotunda of the Capitol filled with the sound of drums and the sight of these child dancers from Uganda. Their irrepressible smiles and the toe-tapping beat raised spirits in a building where good moods are often in short supply.
Butt Kicker: Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park
Kagi almost single-handedly brought Snohomish County to its knees on how it will deal with future development on Point Wells. She introduced a bill making sure the county hears what Shoreline and Woodway have to say. Though the bill died, the county agreed those communities will get a louder voice in the process.
The Liberator: Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane
On April 7, following an afternoon of protests and arrests, authorities locked up the Capitol as the Senate prepared for an evening of work. Lawmakers, staff and reporters got entrance. Lobbyists, too. But not the public. That peeved several liberal Senate Democrats. They protested and Brown took to the floor to announce there would be no session until the doors came open. She carried the demand to the governor’s office and soon after the doors were unlocked.
“No Pizza, No Peace:” Put People First coalition
For four days, they were marching, chanting, rallying, protesting, eating pizza and sleeping overnight on the marbled floors of the Capitol. Several thousand people took part in the most organized action in the city in a while. Their demand for eliminating tax breaks won’t be met now but lawmakers may put it on the ballot to deal with later.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
