For state Rep. Al O’Brien, the recent legislative session was about saying “No” to a lot of people and ideas.
That, of course, was because of the state’s revenue shortfall.
O’Brien represents the 1st Legislative District, which includes Bothell, Brier and Mountlake Terrace.
“Early in the session there was what seemed like an endless parade of individuals and groups coming to my office, asking for help for many very good programs,” the Democrat told me last week. “All I could say was, ‘No.’”
He said his biggest disappointment was being unable to get sustainable funding for senior centers.
One group he didn’t have to turn down was the disability community. A bill he introduced at their request did become law.
He introduced bills on siting new mobile home parks and manufactured housing communities, and one on the disposition of a tenant’s personal property, but both died in committee.
A bill he sponsored to limit utility liens against rental property made it to the rules committee but died there.
Lynnwood candidate Utter wants communication
Lynnwood City Councilwoman Lisa Utter says she wants to improve communication between the mayor and City Council. She says that’s why she is running for mayor.
She said better communication from Mayor Don Gough could have avoided recent controversies over moving the municipal court and over new bicycle lanes.
Utter and Councilman Loren Simmonds both have said they will challenge Gough in the Aug. 18 primary election.
The top two will advance to the November general election.
County Councilman Gossett vs. ?
County Councilman Dave Gossett, the Democrat who represents District 4 on the Snohomish County Council, had no announced opponents as filing opened Monday.
He told me last week that he was running as if there would be opposition.
A county Republican Party officer told me that two candidates had shown interest in running.
Mike Cooper, elected in 2007 to represent District 4, is in the middle of his four-year term.
My new column
I’m moving, not away from the Enterprise, just to another section.
Beginning next week, I’ll write a weekly column in the news section on politics in the South Snohomish County area. That means the cities of Brier, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace, along with Edmonds and Woodway, the Edmonds School District, County Council districts 3 and 4, and the 1st and 21st legislative districts.
Because I also write for our Mill Creek edition, you will often see me write about that city, the 44th Legislative District and the Everett School District.
In the 13 years, I’ve written this column, I’ve tried to be provocative; now I’ll try to be rational.
I’m always looking for ideas. Send them to me at my new e-mail address, entpolitics@heraldnet.com.
Meanwhile, the Forum column will go back to its original role — a place where you can hear from a variety of people.
Evan Smith can be reached at entpolitics@heraldnet.com.
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