Republicans have the upper hand in the state Senate, but leaders of both caucuses say they believe some unnamed Democrats will lead committees when the session starts Monday.
Republicans have the upper hand in the state Senate, but leaders of both caucuses say they believe some unnamed Democrats will lead committees when the session starts Monday.
Democratic leader Ed Murray and Rodney Tom, a Democrat whom Republicans have elevated to be majority leader, made the comments this morning’s annual Associated Press Legislative Preview.
Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/politics/2013/01/10/some-democrats-expected-to-take-chairmanships-in-senate/
A Republican-dominated coalition in the state Senate blocked discussion on a plan to require insurers to cover abortion Wednesday, voting down a procedural motion after a tense exchange about why the legislation has languished in the chamber.
Back in December when 23 Republicans and two Democrats announced that something called the Majority Coalition Caucus would control the state Senate, its leaders said they wanted to concentrate on economics — jobs, education and a budget balanced with no increases in taxes.
A lot of the attention in the House Democrats’ budget plan being unveiled during lunch today will be on the $1.34 billion in new revenues – including closed tax exemptions for oil refineries, bottled water, insurance agents, and out-of-state purchases of everything except cars.
As lawmakers wrap up their first week of a special legislative session, Senate majority leaders have asked that more than 30 bills be considered as part of the budget discussions.
Washington’s Legislature opened its 105-day session Monday with a bit of friction in the Senate but few fireworks. Two Democrats defected from their party as expected, joining 23 Republicans to vote themselves into power in the state Senate. The group elevated one of the rebels, Rodney Tom of Medina, to the top post of majority leader and the other, Tim Sheldon of Potlatch, to the largely honorary position of president pro tempore.
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