District elections for Supreme Court gets public hearing

This morning the Senate Law & Justice Committee held a public hearing on SJR 8205: Amending the state Constitution so that justices of the supreme court are elected by qualified electors of a supreme court judicial district. The hearing provided an opportunity for Senators to ask questions of the Supreme Court as Justice Debra Stephens offered her thoughts on the proposal. I also had the opportunity to testify remotely via the phone. Here is my testimony . . . READ MORE

Senate adopts remote testimony rules - work session from Tri-Cities February 4

The Senate Facilities and Operations Committee has officially adopted rules for the use of remote testimony during the 2015 Legislative Session. As adopted by the F&O Committee . . . READ MORE

Does the initiative process need fixing?

Washington's constitution doesn't waste any time laying down the law when it comes to who is in charge . . . READ MORE

Secretary Wyman and Sen. Habib propose new video testimony option for Washingtonians

Testifying before the Legislature, meet the 21st Century. Along with the exciting news we shared yesterday concerning the recent developments for live remote testimony, comes this new bill (SB 5267: Ordering development of processes to allow prerecorded video testimony and written testimony on pending legislation) requested by Secretary of State Kim Wyman and introduced by Sen. Cyrus Habib. According to the bill . . . READ MORE

Remote testimony option progressing in Spokane and Tri-Cities

You know it's getting real when a job posting for a Senate Remote Testimony Clerk in Spokane goes out and the President of Columbia Basin College in the Tri-Cities volunteers the school to be a remote testimony location. As reported by KNDU Tri-Cities last night . . . READ MORE

Revenue forecast reform proposed

During a budget writing session there are three key dates to keep in mind: The March revenue forecast, June 1, and July 1. It is after the March revenue forecast that budget discussion kick into high gear. June 1 is the date in law by which the budget for the next biennium is supposed to be enacted and July 1 is the beginning of the fiscal year for a new biennium (meaning no budget could mean a government shutdown) . . . READ MORE

Senate considers tax rule change

The 2015 Legislative Session is set up to be on the most historic gatherings of lawmakers in Washington since the founding of the state. Not to disappoint, on the first day a potential fight over Senate rules may unfold. According to a press release . . . READ MORE