Today is Wednesday, March 7, the 59th day of the 60-day session.
QUOTED
“‘I know it when I see it.’ I would use that adage today. If by the end of the day sufficient movement has been made, that I think we can get it done, then let’s go get it done by midnight on Thursday.”
– Gov. Chris Gregoire, speaking at a news conference about how she’ll know when progress has been made with budget negotiations.
TODAY
• The governor is set to sign her first batch of bills from this session at 1:30 p.m., excepting the same-sex marriage legislation she already put through in February. On the list is requiring judges to make individual bail determinations for class A and B felonies, House Bill 1194, as well as allowing victims of impersonation on social networking sites to sue their impersonators specifically for that offense, House Bill 1652.
• Red-clad rally participants will take to the Capitol steps at 2:30 p.m. as part of the advocacy day for the Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Child Education and Assistance Program. They also will speak with lawmakers about the governor’s proposed cuts to the Working Connections Child Care Program, among other issues.
• Some committees will meet to discuss interim planning.
FUN AND GAMES
• An oversized board game of Chutes and Ladders brought children, parents and at least one lawmaker to the Capitol lawn Tuesday. Grass roots group MomsRising hosted the game, which featured statistics designed to encourage legislators to fund early-learning programs. Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, won her match, organizers said.
FLOOR ACTION
• A proposed constitutional amendment to reduce the state debt limit from 9 percent to 8 percent by mid-2034 passed the Senate 41-7 as Senate Joint Resolution 8221.
Compiled by staff writer Alexis Krell.
