OLYMPIA — The chief justice of the state Supreme Court will not give the traditional speech to the Washington Legislature when the session convenes next month.
Lawmakers decided not to invite Chief Justice Barbara Madsen to speak, citing conflicts with the legislative calendar and poor attendance at such speeches in the past.
The move could be seen as a slap at the court for finding the Legislature in contempt in a school funding case, The Olympian reported Tuesday. Lawmakers say that’s not the reason.
Madsen said she’s disappointed and will give her report in writing.
“The State of the Judiciary address has been a tradition in Washington state for several decades now. It has served as a positive tool to inform the Legislature and the public about the state of Washington’s justice system,” Madsen said in a written statement. “I hope that, in the future, the Supreme Court will again be invited to make this important presentation.”
The court found lawmakers in contempt this year when they failed to come up with a court-ordered funding plan for public schools. Justices are postponing sanctions until after the 2015 session.
The Senate Facilities and Operations Committee voiced concerns about the speech last month.
“To be honest with you, most people think it’s a horrible waste of time. Most members don’t get much out of it. Most members don’t even bother attending,” said Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver.
No one objected to skipping the speech in 2015. The House leadership came to a similar conclusion.
House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, met with Madsen the week before Christmas to explain that no offense was intended.
“I made clear we have no interest in legislation that is meant to punish the courts or hold them in any disregard,” he said.
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