Costa calling it quits

By Scott North and Jim Haley

Herald Writers

MARYSVILLE — For eight years, state Sen. Jeri Costa has been one of the most effective voices in the Legislature for crime victims.

She has pushed tougher penalties for people who hurt others and fought to ease the suffering of those they have harmed.

But when lawmakers return to Olympia early next year, the Marysville Democrat won’t be among their ranks.

"The major reason is I just can’t afford to do it anymore," Costa, 42, said. "Public service in the Legislature is really public service."

Costa spent much of this week quietly meeting with longtime supporters in the 38th District, sharing her decision not to seek re-election. Her term expires at the end of the year.

Costa will be leaving the Legislature at the same time 14-year veteran state Sen. Jeanine Long, R-Mill Creek, also is stepping down.

Losing two seasoned senators could mean big changes — not only for Snohomish County, but the larger community of crime victims’ statewide, said Jenny Weiland, a victims advocate for Everett-based Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims. That’s because Long, too, has effectively advocated on behalf of victims.

The double departure is even tougher to swallow because Rep. Ida Ballasiotes, R-Mercer Island, also is stepping down. Ballasiotes led statewide efforts to crack down on sex offenders after her daughter was murdered in 1988 by a Seattle work-release inmate.

"I really believe that before Ida and Jeri and Sen. Long came into the Legislature, it didn’t have a very workable knowledge of victims’ issues," said Weiland, whose 17-year-old daughter was slain by another teen in 1992.

Costa’s announcement was greeted with sadness by people who have monitored her career.

In Washington, D.C., U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., said Costa has been a "tireless senator who truly legislates from the heart. For nearly a decade, she has been a voice in the state Legislature for those who often go unheard."

Jim Townsend, Snohomish County’s chief criminal deputy prosecutor, put it this way: "She will be a great loss to law enforcement and to the cause of victims’ rights. She was really a voice of reason in the Legislature."

Right from the start, Costa proved herself effective, averaging, by her estimate, close to a dozen bills being signed into law each session.

One piece of legislation Costa said she is most proud of came in response to the 1992 murder of Shelia Latta, 20, of Lakewood. The young woman was six months pregnant when slain, and her unborn daughter was also killed. Even so, the judge was unable consider that when he sentenced the man responsible.

It took Costa two years of working with other legislators to increase penalties for people who murder pregnant women. It was a difficult undertaking because the issue tiptoed through the mine field of issues surrounding abortion, Costa said.

The senator also is proud of the roles she played in increasing penalties for violent teens who commit serious crimes and on bills that have increased assistance for victims of domestic violence.

It was during debate on a domestic violence bill that Costa said she enjoyed one of her more satisfying moments. Other lawmakers had stripped money from the bill that would have paid for interpreters to assist non-English speaking domestic violence victims, Costa said. She thought that was wrong, and to make the point, Costa enlisted a Republican lawmaker who works as a sign-language interpreter to translate her speech into sign language. The measure passed, with funding restored, she said.

But Costa said she more often has found herself faced with "the reality that others’ priorities are not mine."

That point was made graphically, she said, in 1995, when lawmakers convened a special three-day session to approve financing for Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners.

She has no illusions that a special session would be called to deal with child abuse, domestic violence and other pressing issues closer to her heart.

Costa works as a consultant on criminal justice and youth issues. She’s received about $31,000 a year as a state senator, compensation that hasn’t made up for lost consulting income.

Indeed, Costa said, she has struggled financially during her time in office.

News about Costa’s departure set in motion efforts to find a replacement.

"I’m terribly saddened Jeri is leaving the Legislature," said Paul Berendt, state Democratic chairman. "I think she is someone who really stood for something. She stood for helping people who needed a hand in life."

Berendt said he hopes one of the two 38th District representatives will step up to the job.

Rep. Aaron Reardon, D-Everett, said he and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child, and he needs to talk over with her the four-year commitment a senator would have to make. He also wants to talk with some of his constituents, he said.

Erv Hoglund, a Republican from Everett, early this week announced his intention to seek the Senate job. The retired airline captain and Navy pilot came within 580 votes of winning a 38th District House seat last year. Hoglund said his campaign will emphasize solutions to improving the economy and unsnarling traffic.

Costa said she has encouraged John McCoy, executive director for the Tulalip Tribes, to run for her spot. McCoy, a Democrat, last year made an unsuccessful bid for state representative from the 10th District. Because of redistricting, McCoy now lives in the 38th District, which includes the Tulalip Indian Reservation, Marysville and Everett.

You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431

or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.