As omicron surges, Washington legislators convene for the first day of the session
Many Washington state legislators gathered at the Capitol Monday for the start of the 2022 legislative session.
But thanks to the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, the Senate has already found itself short of legislators eligible for in-person meetings for the time being.
Those legislators, staff, and media who were at the Capitol in person were tested for COVID-19 and only allowed into the House and Senate galleries after negative test results.
Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, tested positive at the Capitol prior to the noon start time for both chambers. Three other Democratic senators — Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig from Spokane, Sen. Yasmin Trudeau from Tacoma and Sen. John Lovick from Mill Creek — tested positive for the virus before Monday. They will have to work remotely until they are cleared.
Lt. Gov. Denny Heck gave opening remarks in the Senate, after the color guard and the national anthem were played on televisions in the chamber.
Heck acknowledged the absences of legislators because of COVID-19, as well as the death of Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Whatcom County, who recently died from the virus. A moment of silence was taken in memory of the late senator. Most other senators were absent, as current rules only allow 15 legislators on the floor.
Heck welcomed new senators Trudeau and Lovick, formerly a representative in the house who was voted in as the new president pro tempore of the Senate. Washington State Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez, who was present in the chamber, swore the senator into his new position remotely.
Speaker of the House Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, gave opening remarks in the House while the Senate was also in session.
She too opened by remembering Ericksen and offered her condolences to his family. She acknowledged others who have have lost loved ones because of COVID-19, as well as recognizing frontline medical workers across the state who have been in the crossfire of the spread.
Washington state’s newest representative, Brandy Donaghy, D-Everett, was also welcomed to the House.
“Most members of this chamber were vaccinated, boosted, and ready to be here in person,” Jinkins said. “Then the rapid spread of omicron called for a change of plans, so we rose to the occasion and adapted quickly.”
She encouraged legislators to “keep moving forward” this session and put an emphasis on helping working families.
Gov. Jay Inslee weighed in on the start of the legislature as well, and said despite this being a short session, supplemental budget year, “it should be anything but a quiet few months.”
“I am calling on the Legislature to act quickly on a number of pressing issues, including increasing affordable housing and providing additional supports for those without shelter; continuing our work to address climate change and clean energy; ensuring that salmon can thrive; making necessary adjustments to police accountability and to the long-term care act; and ensuring consequences for those who seek to undermine our election system,” Inslee said.
The 60-day legislative session is scheduled to end on March 10.
This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 2:11 PM.
