Legislature begins its 60-day session today

The Olympian • Published January 13, 2008

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• WHAT: Washington's Legislature kicks off its 60-day session today with a slew of top-tier issues — including education standards, property tax changes, transportation funding and maintaining the state's more than $1 billion reserve.

The session begins with opening gavels at noon and ends March 13, if not before.

• EXPECTATIONS: It's an election year, which can be a great time for politicians to introduce flurries of bills that won't go anywhere but can be conversation points with voters later in the year. Overall, progress is expected to be modest, and Democrats are likely to spare their governor, Chris Gregoire, from embarrassing tax increases or vetoes.

Democrats instead are focused on incremental changes in education, added health-care access, expanded public spending on housing programs including storm relief for victims of the Chehalis River flood in December, but all while controlling costs. Democratic leaders want to preserve at least $1 billion in reserves for the next budget cycle in 2009-11.

Republicans, outnumbered 63-35 in the House and 32-17 in the Senate, continue to look for ways to get center stage and win back voter support in the November election. Public safety and fiscal restraint appear to be two of the GOP's top priorities.

• CONTROVERSIES: Fights could erupt over civil rights for same-sex couples, graduation requirements for high school seniors, property tax changes, sex-offender monitoring, funding of major transportation projects, and even debate over impeaching President Bush, normally a federal issue.

• COMING UP: Property-tax protesters plan a rally on the Capitol steps at 11 a.m. today, one hour before lawmakers get under way with their noon opening ceremonies.

Gov. Gregoire delivers her State of the State Address to the two legislative bodies in the House chambers during a 4:30 p.m. Tuesday joint session.

For full details on the session, top issues and major players check out Legislature 2008 — The Olympian's yearly legislative guide that is inside today's editions. And go to www.­theolympian.com to catch the paper's latest blog and news coverage.