Time to dole out Cappies, despite Olympia’s unfinished business

Each year I ponder what’s transpired in the Legislature then bestow upon a few people a richly deserved though maybe undesired honor of my own creation — a Cappy.

Typically I wait until the elected denizens depart Olympia to avoid potential reprisal.

This time I will brave possible retaliation. Sixty days proved too few for them to get their legislating done, but it was time enough to select winners of a few statuettes.

Best Performance, Democrat

Rep. Ross Hunter of Medina. He alone sat before reporters to lay out the tax package of House Democrats. He alone incurred colleagues’ verbal rebukes for what was in it. He almost alone — House Speaker Frank Chopp has his back — will negotiate with the Senate on a final revenue package. Tough, sharp-tongued, a bit surly — Hunter is all of these, which at this point are precisely what his chamber wants.

Best Performance, Republican

Sen. Joe Zarelli of Ridgefield. He almost won Best Democrat as well. When Senate Democrats started tripping on Initiative 960, he offered help to save them from their own miscues, but they didn’t listen. He offered lots of legislative strings to tie up loose ends on their bills without much success. Republicans are happy to have Zarelli since his budget tidbits and floor speeches give the GOP a solid starting point for 2011.

“Sticky Wicket” Award

The Sales Tax Plan. When 25 senators decided slapping another three cents of sales tax on a $10 purchase was how they wanted to balance the budget, they ground the political process to a halt and drove the 2010 Legislature into overtime. An offer to trim it back is on the table, though it’s got to disappear before anybody goes home.

Rookie of the Year

Sen. Randy Gordon of Bellevue. With unbridled passion and an unbound vocabulary, this brash barrister has made quite an impression since arriving in the deliberative chamber. Gordon is likely the first senator in state history to use “incrustation” in a floor speech. When he speaks, senators can be seen diving for a dictionary to figure out if what he says amounted to a pat on the back or a kick in the butt.

Best New Group

Roadkill Caucus. These middle-of-the-road Democrats arose from nowhere to become, depending on one’s view, a key cog or big clog in the legislative conversation. With an adoring media and a Facebook page, the volume of their voices carried farther than two of their founders, Sens. Brian Hatfield and Steve Hobbs, envisioned.

The I-960 Award

Senate Democrats. Not once, not twice, but three times these guys voted to bury this voter-approved initiative. They deserve applause for getting it done.

House Republicans. These guys dusted off their manuals of parliamentary procedures and found a rule allowing 10-minute rants against the thought of Democrats anaesthetizing the initiative. They had a second chance to rail for hours when it came time for Democrats to actually do it.

“Nanny” Award

Cell Phone Law. State lawmakers played parent this session when they passed a bill barring teenage drivers from talking on a cell phone. As for them, it’s still OK to chat while driving if they don a headset or hook up an earpiece.

Best Costume

Civil War Re-enactors. With muskets slung over their shoulders, they arrived in their military garb to testify about black powder. State law limits how much of the stuff they can carry in their car when traveling to a scheduled battle. A bill to increase the amount marched through the Legislature then, unexpectedly, died on the floor of Senate.

Most Valuable Players

Ways and Means Committee and Code Reviser’s Office. These men and women pulled plenty of all-nighters writing and editing hundreds of pages of budget and tax bills, corresponding reports and amendments put forth by lawmakers. It may seem like magic when the language appears online but none of it comes with the snap of a finger. The joy they must be feeling with the special session ahead.

“Brave Souls” Award

Democrats Who Voted for Taxes. Seventy-seven Democrats — 52 in the House and 25 in the Senate — cast votes for increasing taxes. They have to do it again, at least once more, if there will ever be an end to the 2010 Legislature. Of course, these votes may also bring an end to something else — their political careers.

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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