Monday: The House Judiciary committee voted the same-sex marriage legislation out of committee. A Senate committee heard a bill that would tighten up ethical rules for public employees, prompted by a case last year of an ethics claim against a Department of Corrections administrator who worked on behalf of nonprofit groups on state time. And a bipartisan group of 42 Washington state lawmakers sent a letter to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration asking for marijuana to be reclassified so it can be prescribed as a medicine by doctors and filled in pharmacies..

Watch Monday’s Legislative Review.

Tuesday: The House Labor committee on heard five bills related to the minimum wage, including one that would lower the base wage of tipped employees and another that would pay a lower “training wage.” The Senate Higher Education committee considered a bill that would prohibit state money from going to college athletics. And a bipartisan group of lawmakers asked that the state fund K-12 education separately from the rest of the budget.

Watch Tuesday’s Legislative Review.

Wednesday: In a late night floor session, the state Senate voted 28-21 to approve a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. We have full video and a photo gallery from the event. On the show, we covered the redistricting plan as it took a first big step forward, and legislation that would allow schools to have classes separated by gender.

Watch Wednesday’s Legislative Review.

Thursday: House Republicans offered details on a plan that would create a separate K-12 education budget. Also, lawmakers considered stricter rules for spraying pesticides on farmland.

Watch Thursday’s Legislative Review.

Friday: Today is the cutoff day for non-budget policy bills to be considered in committee. Catch tonight’s half-hour edition of Legislative Review recapping the week’s events at 6:30 and 11 p.m. on TVW.

Tags: education, same-sex marriage

Thieves who target the homes of deployed military personnel may soon face tougher penalties under a bill heard in the House on Tuesday.

Puget Sound is home to lots of service members because of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Bill sponsor Rep. Troy Kelley, D-Tacoma, said he was approached for help by several military members who live off-base and have been the victims of burglaries. Kelley said criminals are using Facebook and Twitter to find out when troops are deployed.

Kelley cited a story in The News Tribune that featured Air Force Master Sgt. Steven Turner. While on a four-month deployment to Afghanistan, Turner’s home in Graham was robbed of $10,000 worth of electronics, tools, yard equipment — and Christmas presents for his son.

The bill would give prosecutors the option of charging thieves with aggravating circumstances if they rob a military member knowing that he or she is on deployment. A judge can impose longer jail sentences if aggravating circumstances are a factor in a crime.

Tags: crime, military, Troy Kelley

Today, two lawmakers from different ends of the political spectrum made statements announcing that they will vote in favor of same-sex marriage in Washington.

Sen. Jim Kastama held a press conference today in which he said he will vote in support of same-sex marriage, and that he believes this legislation should pass without a ballot amendment. He said with the struggles of the economy and government, marriage can provide a “true safety net.”

“In 2012, I believe we have reached the point where society is ready to recognize and support same-sex couples who seek the bonds, benefits and security of marriage. They too, deserve this ‘safety net.’”

Kastama said this was a hard decision to make, saying that “Unlike some of my colleagues in liberal districts, I will not return home to cheers and handshakes.”

He said if the legislature is able to address this difficult issue, there will be no excuse for tackling other challenges.

Rep. Glenn Anderson also issued a statement announcing his support for gay marriage. In a lengthy statement, Anderson says that he thinks same-sex marriage meets the federal constitution test for equal protection and that he will vote in favor of the same-sex marriage bill in the House.

He uses three criteria to evaluate same-sex marriage:

1. The historical purpose of civil marriage
2. The historical religious doctrines on traditional marriage
3. The federal judicial record for determining equal protection under the law in the 14th Amendment the U.S. Constitution

Anderson said the distinction between civil and religious marriage has been long settled, and that “civil same-sex marriage does not undermine the right of individuals to freely choose association with religious organizations that seek to encourage traditional marriage values with which they agree. Neither does it obstruct the ability to practice the values of religious marriage, either individually or with like-minded persons.”

He also said that there is sufficient physiological research and historical records to show that homosexuality is a normal expression of biology.

Anderson cited the Code of Hammurabi, Council of Trent, and the Emperors Theodosius and Justinian to back up his claims about civil and religious marriage.

Tags: Anderson, Kastama

Sixteen and 17-year-olds are automatically tried as adults if they commit certain violent crimes in Washington state — a practice called “auto declination.” The House Early Learning and Human Services Committee held a work session Thursday morning to take a look at these “auto declines” in the juvenile system, and heard from a handful of experts who say that the practice is unfair.

Teenagers who are sentenced through the adult criminal system are 10 percent more likely to reoffend once they are released — and often they reoffend with more serious crimes, said Elizabeth Cauffman, a national expert on juvenile issues from UC Irvine who braved the icy weather to give a presentation.

At 16, teenagers have the same cognitive abilities as adults, she said. But their emotional development continues through their early twenties, which means they are more impulsive  — especially when in groups. That’s why many teens are charged for crimes are in groups, while adults tend to commit crimes solo.

“Adolescents aren’t stupid, but they don’t have a very good way of controlling their emotions,” Cauffman said.

The practice also makes it harder for teens to get a job and education after they are released, said Kari Reardon, a Spokane County public defender.

She gave one example of a client she called “Lacy.” At 17, Lacy committed an impulsive robbery while she was with her cousin and was processed through the adult system. Lacy is now 22, and is working at Taco Bell. She’s applied for dozens of other jobs, but can’t get hired because she has an adult felony on her record, Reardon said. She can’t vote, and she can’t get into schools to further her education.

“Lacy is one of those children who should have never been declined,” Reardon said.

Tags: auto declination, justice, juvenile

People who were adopted in Washington state before 1993 may soon have access to a wealth of new information about their background, including a copy of their own birth certificate.

Currently, anyone adopted after Oct. 1, 1993 can request a birth certificate from the Dept. of Health — but those adopted before the cutoff date need a court order to unseal their adoption records. A bill introduced in the House Judiciary committee on Monday would allow everyone the same access. Several adoptees and birth parents spoke in favor of the bill at the hearing.

“I am 47 and I’m an adopted person. When I go to the Department of Health, I can’t access my birth certificate,” said Jodie McBride of the Washington Coalition of Adoptive Rights. “We think that is wrong.”

Another woman said she was of Native American descent, but she couldn’t register with her tribe because she doesn’t have access to her original birth certificate.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, who herself was adopted. She said the bill strives to protect the rights of both the adoptees and the rights of the birth parents. If the birth parents do not want to allow access to the adoption records, they can sign an affidavit of nondisclosure. The affidavit would have to be renewed every two years under the bill — a time frame that was questioned at the hearing.

“If you’ve got somebody who has already made a decision to file an affidavit, why force them so frequently to go back?” asked Rep. Jamie Pederson.

Rick Bartholomew of the Washington State Bar Association spoke in opposition of the bill, saying it needs to better consider the rights of birth parents. “Birth parents who give up children for adoption are usually in a life situation they want to put behind them,” he said. “Under this bill, yes you can sign affidavit, but every two years, you have to re-live that, you have to bring it up again.”

The bill would also make it mandatory for birth parents to provide “non-identifying information,” such as medical and genetic history, education level, occupation and physical appearance. It is scheduled for a vote later this week.

Tags: adoption, House Judiciary

Gov. Chris Gregoire is delivering her final state of the state speech now to a joint session of the House and Senate. They’re also joined by the Supreme Court and other elected officials. Watch live on TVW, and refresh this post for updates throughout the speech. (After this, we’ll be covering the Republican response.)

“While our challenges are unprecedented, so, too, are our opportunities,” she said, adding that Washington knows how to turn challenge into opportunity. “Many believe that government is the whole problem, and many believe that it’s the whole solution. But that’s not our Washington,” she said, adding that here, people understand that safe communities and good schools are critical, but that government can’t do it all.

She said Washington needs to “win in the turns,” meaning hit the accelerator while others are breaking. “It’s now up to us. This is our time. Our time to win in the turn, our time to build a better future for our children and grandchildren,” she said. To that end, she’s asking for four things: 1. That the Legislature quickly passes a budget. 2. Ask voters this spring to approve a temporary half cent sales tax. 3. Pass school reforms. 4. Pass a major transportation and jobs package.

“First, let’s solve the budget problems,” she said. She said since the Recession began, the Legislature has “cut and cut and cut.” She said some states are talking about reforms, but Washington has made big changes. “We’ve made our pension system one of the five most sustainable in the United States,” she said, as one example. “One of the fastest growing, biggest and most complicated drivers of our budget is healthcare,” she said, adding that reforms passed already have helped contain costs.

“While we must cut and reform again, we must also realize that this problem demands a courageous solution. We must look for new revenue for the state of Washington,” she said.

“I ask you to send to voters a temporary, three-year, half-cent sales tax” to save “vital services,” she said. “We are about to shred very core services. It is time for all of us here in this chamber to stand up for Washingtonians.” She said she knows the sales tax is regressive, but making further cuts to the safety net will be even more regressive. (more…)

Tags: Governor, state of the state

Gov. Chris Gregoire will be delivering her State of the State address at 10:15 a.m. in a joint session, immediately followed by the Republican response. TVW will be live with both speeches — and live blogging here, too.

We’ll also be following the 1:30 p.m. education hearing in the House, where they’ll be discussing the recent Supreme Court decision that said that the state isn’t doing its duty to fully fund education. They’ll also be looking at innovation in schools. Catch the full recap of today’s events on tonight’s edition of Legislative Review at 6:30 p.m. on TVW.

At 3:30, we’re watching the House Transportation Committee. They’re scheduled to hold a work session on the governor’s supplemental transportation budget.

Tags: education, Gov. Gregoire, supreme court, WA House

The Senate and House just wrapped up opening session. Here’s a scene from the House.

Rep. Frank Chopp outlined his priorities, including education taking early learning “to the next level.” He also said one goal this session is to save the state’s safety net.

“One thing we’ve learned is that an overtaxed industry stifles innovation,” said Rep. Richard DeBolt, in a response. He also said the state has to break it’s dependence on the federal government, move Medicare to block grants and put pressure on the federal government to give the state more flexibility on federal match programs.

Tags: House, Legislature, opening day, Senate

At the end of session, House Democrats voted on a bill to close tax loopholes to fund education. The bill got the majority of votes, but because it didn’t get a two-thirds supermajority, the bill failed. That raised plenty of speculation that the vote was the foundation of a lawsuit challenging the legality of Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1053, which requires any tax increase — even the closure of a tax exemption — to pass with a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate or a vote of the public.

Today, we learned that 12 House Democrats, along with education advocates and one former Supreme Court justice, are going ahead with that lawsuit. (Check out the link for more on the case and a copy of the legal complaint.)

Tags: Eyman, House, taxes, two-thirds requirement

Lawmakers listen as panelists discuss how to develop an innovation economy.

The economic engine of the Pacific Northwest is driven by clusters of industry — from aerospace to sportswear — and some economists in the region say those clusters are what will eventually tow the rest of the economy out of the ditch.
That’s what I heard this morning at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region summit, where legislators and thinkers from around the region gathered to talk about how to drive the next phase of economic growth. The panel I attended, on the innovation economy, functioned as a joint legislative hearing and was attended by Reps. Maureen Walsh, Ed Orcutt, Norma Smith, Phyllis Gutierrez, Fred Finn, Cindy Ryu and Bob Hasegawa as well as Sens. Jim Kastama and Maralyn Chase.
“Businesses get strategic advantage — they are better able to compete — if they are in an area where there are a lot of other businesses, a lot of other people, doing the same thing,” said Joe Cortright, president of Impresa Consulting, which specializes in cluster analysis. That might seem counter-intuitive: Why would a businesses want many competitors nearby? But Cortright said the businesses that are part of a geographic cluster of other similar businesses are more successful because, for example, skilled workers move to the area, meaning a more educated workforce.
One example: The athletic and outdoor industry in Portland includes giants like Nike, Adidas importers and Columbia sportswear. But it also includes 700 other businesses and 14,000 total employees who work in businesses related to outdoor apparel and shoes. That’s lead to the firms collaborating on sustainability, and Portland is creating a center for design and innovation. Oregon State University even moved its apparel design program from Corvallis to Portland, he said. (more…)

Tags: House, industry, innovation economy, Senate