Today’s state Senate session is going to be filled with fireworks — not all of them over whether a senator from Everett gets seated.
In the other big story, state Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch is pushing a rule change that would potentially give conservative Democrats and Republicans much more influence in the writing of the next budget.
Sheldon wants to revise a standing rule so that floor amendments to the operating and capital budgets can be approved on a simple majority vote rather than the current 60 percent requirement.
“A supermajority gives some members more power than any other member,” Sheldon said in a statement. “I think our rule should reflect the will of the voters. I think a simple majority rule better reflects the division we have in our state.”
The 21 Republican senators are sure to back him. Sheldon will need a few moderate Democrats too for passage. I’ve heard — though not independently confirmed — Democratic Sens. Rodney Tom, Paull Shin, Steve Hobbs, Brian Hatfield and Mary Margaret Haugen are among those seriously considering supporting Sheldon’s proposal. And he’ll only need three for success.
The effect of the change looks to be two fold.
In the Democratic caucus, moderates would gain power in pushing their spending and policy bills.
In the Republican caucus, well, state Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, could start writing a budget. He’d know that with votes of just four Democrats (only three once Sen. Bob McCaslin is replaced) he could make changes in whatever the Senate Democratic leadership proposes.
Stay tuned.
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