These days, Democratic lawmakers are sounding quite benevolent toward their Republican peers.
Why not show a bit of charity to the members of the Grand Old Party?
Dems own a super duper majority in the Legislature, leaving them in no danger of not getting their way in the 60-day session starting Monday.
I suspect the sense of goodwill will slowly dissipate this week. A frenetic pace awaits lawmakers. Ahead of them is a long trail of issues lined with potential partisan land mines.
They’ll begin with smiles but may be ready to explode by Friday.
Monday: Handshakes and hugs will be the rage when the 98 representatives and 49 senators arrive at the Capitol and head to their respective chambers.
House Democrats will find they do need something from Republicans — a couple of chairs. They have one chair per member and a couch for their staff.
First challenge in the Senate is a bill requiring elementary students get recess every day.
Tuesday: By day, lawmakers will debate electing the U.S. president by a national popular vote rather than relying on the Electoral College.
At night, Gov. Chris Gregoire will tell a joint session of the Legislature that “while the nation is in the pits, the state of our state is great.”
Guaranteed she’ll say “safety” and “security” enough times to make you wonder if she’s sure things are safe and secure.
Wednesday: Pirates, smugglers and terrorists are apparently roaming the waters off Island County. The state is looking to buy a real fast patrol boat for $500,000 to catch them.
Plastic bags will be outlawed at grocery store checkout stands unless they are recyclable. Democratic Rep. Maralyn Chase of Edmonds makes the case in an evening hearing.
Thursday: “Fight! Fight! Fight!” when Democratic Sen. Eric Oemig of Kirkland argues for impeaching President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Even if Oemig succeeds in the Senate, his resolution will die in the House — Speaker Frank Chopp will make sure of that.
Competition for a University of Washington campus gets under way. Everett backers get a hearing on their bill; Marysville and Lake Stevens supporters must wait a week.
Friday: It’s back — legislation granting tribal police officers the same authority to write tickets and make arrests as cops, deputies and troopers.
Tribal officers must undergo equivalent training as those peace officers and tribes must insure their officers against liability. That may still not be enough to appease opponents.
And the week should end with a visit from Tim Eyman.
Lawmakers are again taking aim at the people and companies making money by gathering all those signatures on initiative petitions.
Eyman fended off Democrats before. He’ll try to fend them off again.
And that could make for a stormy conclusion to the week with a cold front settling in for the rest of the session.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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