Features

Many Precedents for Power-Sharing – Lawmakers from Other States, Eras Say it Can Work

by Erik Smith , Washington State Wire , 1 Comment

Last week people were calling the proposed power-sharing arrangement in the Washington state Senate “unprecedented.” And they were right — it has never happened in the Senate before. But similar formal power-sharing arrangements have been made to work in other places and times, in state legislatures in Alaska and Texas and even years ago in Washington state. Just takes grown-ups. A point worth pondering as Senate Democrats appear poised to reject bipartisanship.

Call Him Reuven-ue Carlyle – Rising Lawmaker to Chair Newly Revived Finance Committee

by Erik Smith , Washington State Wire , 1 Comment

It didn’t seem to surprise anyone when Reuven Carlyle was named chairman of the House committee that will oversee taxes in the coming legislative session. In his first two terms Carlyle has earned a rep as one of the Legislature’s big-picture guys and a bit of a policy wonk. Washington State Wire asks about his plans, and tells about one of the wickedest pranks in the history of the state Legislature.

Inslee’s New Best Buddies — and Other Notes From the Senate Revolution

by The 9th Order , Washington State Wire , 5 Comments

So many people had so much to say about the upheaval in the Senate that Washington State Wire just can’t let the opportunity pass without one last notebook-dump. What jubilation! What betrayal! What a splendid way to show support for Washington’s new governor! So before the moment passes and everyone gets down to the turgid business of governing, and people forget how they danced and how they boiled – here’s the best of what we didn’t report.

Coalition Grabs Reins in the Senate – Democratic Party Leaders Left Reeling as Bipartisan Group Prepares to Lead from the Middle

by Erik Smith , Washington State Wire , 6 Comments

History was made Monday as two Democratic senators stood with Republican lawmakers and announced the formation of a new 25-member Majority Coalition Caucus that will rule the Senate in 2013. Seems clear now that the Senate will be the balancing force to the Democrat-controlled House and governor’s mansion. And by offering six committee chairmanships to the Democrats, the new ruling majority is making a point about bipartisanship. Now it’s the Democrats’ move: Will they accept the new order in the Senate?

Takeover From the Middle in Washington State Senate – Centrist Dems Vote With Republicans

by Erik Smith , Washington State Wire , 11 Comments

The deal is done! Two Democrats and 23 Republicans are teaming to form a majority coalition in the Senate. The details are being fleshed out at a news conference this morning; in the meantime, Washington State Wire presents the news release that announces the creation of the coalition that will turn the Senate upside down this session, and offers a hint of what the new bipartisan power-sharing arrangement will look like.

Marijuana Law Faces First Challenge Friday – and This One Doesn’t Come From the Feds

by Erik Smith , Washington State Wire , 37 Comments

Everyone’s waiting for the feds to file a challenge to Washington’s new marijuana law, but the first lawsuit out of the gate comes from a rather different source — Olympia paralegal Arthur West, who wants to bring the whole new industry crashing down before it can get started. It’s a matter of idealism — he says corporate interests shouldn’t dominate what ought to be a backyard enterprise.