Look for a focused legislative session

Our views

The Olympian • Published January 13, 2008

Do not look for Democrats to steer far from their funding priorities, which have been K-12 and higher education, Puget Sound cleanup, and compensation for teachers and state employees.

Do look for Republicans to raise a ruckus over the budget surplus. GOP lawmakers say unless more money is put in the bank, lawmakers will face a $621 million shortfall when it comes time to write the 2009-11 budget.

Housing legislation

One sleeper issue may be housing. The governor has proposed adding $50 million to a housing trust fund for low- income housing assistance, earmarking some for flood victims. Meanwhile, House Speaker Frank Chopp wants to use public financing to help spur non-profits’ development of housing projects that reduce rents and stabilize prices for homes and apartments.

Realtors want more attention given to land-use decisions to allow adequate numbers of housing units. And some lawmakers have pressed for builders to offer construction guarantees so homeowners won’t be left holding the bag when their home falls apart. Builders warn that guarantees would drive up home prices, putting the American dream of home ownership beyond the reach of more families.

There’s ample opportunity for conflict.

The environment

Also look for the environmental lobby to press for new laws in four areas:

• Local farms, healthy kids: Through changes in state procurement laws and establishment of pilot projects, environmentalists hope to create an opportunity for local farmers to sell their healthy produce directly to school districts.

• Evergreen cities: This legislative proposal is an effort to get more trees into cities — in parks, developments, open spaces and along city streets.

• Local solutions to global warming: This environmental priority would create a 15th goal when government entities rewrite their comprehensive plans. As part of their land use planning, cities with 30,000 or more residents and counties with more than 50,000 people would be required to establish plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Washington climate action: The fourth, environmental proposal creates a structure and time line for achieving Washington’s global warming pollution reduction goals. The bill also begins a program to prepare Washington workers for jobs in a clean-energy economy.

With a modest agenda, all legislative eyes will be on the calendar as lawmakers hustle to get the essential bills passed so they can leave Olympia and hit the campaign trail by mid-March.