CAPITOL POWER OUTAGE
The Senate canceled afternoon hearings Friday, following a campus-wide power outage spurred by excessive power demand on the Capitol’s emergency generator. The House held four afternoon hearings, two in rooms without power. A legislative worker was stuck in an elevator during the outage and later was rescued.
QUOTED
“We have not made progress. … Where we go from here is this legislation.”
– Rep. Glenn Anderson, referencing education reform while testifying in favor of House Bill 2428, which addresses charter schools
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE HEARINGS
Public hearings for bills authorizing gay marriage are set for Monday, and a “Support Traditional Marriage” rally outside the Capitol is scheduled.
Gov. Chris Gregoire announced her support for same-sex marriage at the start of the month and requested the legislation.
Senate Bill 6239 will be heard in the Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations and Elections. It will meet at 10 a.m. in Hearing Room 2 of the Cherberg Building. House Bill 2516 will be heard in the Judiciary Committee at 1:30 p.m. in Hearing Room A of the O’Brien Building.
MONDAY
• Creating a liquor license for senior centers will have a public hearing at 10 a.m. Senate Bill 6076 will be heard in Hearing Room 4 of the Cherberg Building by the Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
It will also hear Senate Bill 6228, which would prohibit employers from refusing to hire anyone or otherwise discriminate based on employment status.
• Requiring higher-education institutions to offer early registration to certain students who are veterans or members of the National Guard will have a public hearing. House Bill 2503 will be heard by the Higher Education Committee at 1:30 p.m. in Hearing Room C of the O’Brien Building.
• Amending the constitution to prevent ballot initiatives that don’t provide a way to cover their costs will have a public hearing today. House Joint Resolution 4224 would reject initiatives that cost state and local governments more than $5 million without specifying new or increased tax revenue. The State Government and Tribal Affairs committee meets at 1:30 p.m. in Hearing Room E of the O’Brien Building.
• Recommendations of the commission on state debt will have a public hearing. Senate Bill 6262 would lower the working debt limit for the state to 8 percent, except during recession. It also would create a debt advisory council. The Ways and Means Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Hearing Room 4 of the Cherberg Building.
• Banning the sale or purchase of certain lead fishing hooks and sinkers will have a public hearing. House Bill 2241 will be heard by the Environment Committee at 6 p.m. in Hearing Room C of the O’Brien Building.
Compiled by Alexis Krell, staff writer
