Bills to reopen schools and restaurants get hearings

Here’s what’s happening on Day 8 of the 2021 session of the Washington Legislature.

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112

2021 Washington Legislature, Day 8 of 105

Everett Herald political reporter Jerry Cornfield: jcornfield@heraldnet.com | @dospueblos

Want this in your inbox Monday-Wednesday-Friday? Subscribe here.

OLYMPIA, Jan. 18, 2021 — Welcome to Week 2. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Our nation completes another changing of the presidential guard this week. Brace yourself. As soon as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in, they intend to begin undoing directives of outgoing President Donald Trump.

In the meantime, security forces remain on high alert for potential violence in the nation’s capital and at state capitols. On Sunday afternoon, it was quiet on the campus in Olympia, where a highlight for media was one man clutching a “Stop the Steal” sign near a secured entrance. Dozens of state troopers and Washington National Guard are on watch all week.

Meanwhile, the arrival of a new Democratic administration, coupled with the 50-50 partisan split in the U.S. Senate, will boost the political muscle of Washington’s long-serving Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Each will gain leadership of a committee and, with their seniority, likely enjoy greater sway on policy and budget matters. Jim Brunner spells it out in The Seattle Times.

COVID conversations

Getting public schools reopened and indoor dining partially restored are on the Senate docket this week.

Monday at 1:30 p.m., a hearing is set for Senate Bill 5037, which prescribes the metrics for when school districts and charter schools must offer face-to-face instruction. Not surprisingly, the thresholds are lower than those recommended by Gov. Jay Inslee and the state Department of Health.

School districts in counties with less than a 5% positive coronavirus infection rate or fewer than 200 cases per 100,000 people for two weeks must offer in-person learning in grades K-12 under the bill. It is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia.

Also, the bill says these rules cannot be overridden by any emergency order by the governor. Tune in to the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee to watch.

On Wednesday, another Braun product will get a public airing. This one, SB 5114, aims to move the entire state into the second phase of Healthy Washington, the governor’s latest road map to recovery.

It would allow every business to “immediately and safely reopen or resume” operating under provisions of Phase 2. For restaurants, it would mean welcoming customers inside while still being limited to 25% capacity.

The hearing is at 9 a.m. in the State Government and Elections Committee.

A sequel to Connecting Washington?

House Democrats are rolling out a transportation revenue package Tuesday.

Democratic Rep. Jake Fey of Tacoma, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, will hold a noon news conference to reveal the details.

When I reached him Friday, he declined to discuss specifics. However, he did say it would have “big differences” from “Forward Washington.” That’s the 10-year, $16 billion package pushed the past two years by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Lawmakers and the governor last agreed on a statewide transportation package in 2015. Known as Connecting Washington, it was a 16-year, $16 billion package funded mostly by an 11.9-cent increase in the gas tax.

To subscribe to the Cornfield Report, go to www.heraldnet.com/newsletters. | Previous Cornfield Reports here.

 

News clippings

Compiled by: House Democrats | House Republicans

 

On TV

Non-profit TVW covers state government in Olympia and selected events statewide. Programs are available for replay on the internet, and the channel is widely available on Washington cable systems.

TVW schedule | Current and recent video | Archives | Shows

 

Links

Contact your legislator | District lookup | Bill lookup

Legislature home | House | Senate

Caucuses: House Democrats | House Republicans | Senate Democrats | Senate Republicans

Office of the Governor

Laws and agency rules

Beat reporters: Jerry Cornfield (Herald) | Rachel La Corte (AP) | Joseph O’Sullivan (Times) | Jim Brunner (Times) | Austin Jenkins (NW News Network) | Melissa Santos (Crosscut) | Sara Gentzler (McClatchy) | Jim Camden (Spokesman-Review)

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.