SOUTH COUNTY POLITICS: Will the state finish on time?

  • By Evan Smith Enterprise political writer
  • Tuesday, March 9, 2010 8:33pm

The Legislature’s 60-day session is scheduled to end March 11, but I hear rumors of an extended session because the Legislature may not finish on time.

South Snohomish County legislators gave me a variety of perspectives when I asked a few days ago about the possibility of a special session.

Democratic Rep. Mary Helen Roberts of the 21st District said Monday that most of the speculation about a special session seems to be coming from the press, adding, “We are working hard to finish on time.”

The 21st District includes Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mukilteo.

Democratic Rep. Al O’Brien of the 1st District said chances of a special session were “slim to none.”

The 1st District includes Mountlake Terrace, Brier and Bothell.

Republican Rep. Mike Hope of the 44th District told me that he expected the Legislature to be done on time but that if the Legislature goes over its limit, just a few committees would stay in Olympia, with the rest of the legislators coming back for one day to approve a final budget.

The 44th District includes Mill Creek, Snohomish and Lake Stevens.

Rep. Maralyn Chase, a 32nd District Democrat, said Sunday that she expects the Legislature to be done on time.

Sen. Darlene Fairley, another 32nd District Democrat, said that she expects the Legislature to finish on time, and come back a few days later to finish.

Rep. Ruth Kagi, a third 32nd District Democrat, said Monday that an extended session was likely but that she expected it to be short.

The 32nd District includes part of Edmonds, plus Woodway, unincorporated Esperance and North King County.

Hope’s bail amendment overcomes divisions

A state constitutional amendment, inspired by last year’s shooting of four Lakewood police officers, will be on the November ballot after the Legislature accepted the provisions of a resolution offered by Hope over a competing resolution that came out of the state Senate.

The proposed amendment would allow judges to deny bail to anyone facing charges that might lead to life imprisonment, including third-strike offenses and the most serious felonies, such as rape, rather than a more limited Senate bill.

The difference was not between Democrats and Republicans or between legislators from different parts of the state. Rather, Hope said, it stemmed from differences between the chairmen of the committees considering the resolutions in the House and the Senate. Hope noted that one is a former police officer, while the other is a former official with the American Civil Liberties Union.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@verizon.net.

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