(WA) State Dems promise to show restraint

[katinmn]

Nice problem to have!

State Dems promise to show restraint
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003405776_legislature12m.html

The party has emerged from Tuesday's elections with its strongest legislative majorities in decades. Ballots are still being counted, but Democrats expect at least a 31-18 seat majority in the state Senate and a 62-36 split in the House.

The wish list that interest groups want Democrats to deliver next year includes salary increases for teachers and state workers, better access to health care, a boost in funding for public schools, paid family leave and a ban on a toxic flame retardant present in televisions, computers and other consumer products.

Democratic leaders say their party will act on top issues, including education and health care, but in measured steps. Tax increases, they say, aren't very realistic in a time of budget surpluses.

Plus there's the danger of going too far, said House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam. She was around for the 1994 election when Democrats lost 28 seats in the House and had two members switch parties. A $1 billion tax increase passed by Democrats to fix a big budget shortfall was largely blamed for the upheaval.

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. Lynn's my Rep. I have a funny story.

I met her last winter while lobbying Olympia on behalf of people with developmental disabilities, specifically, on behalf of "the birth to three" bill, which would guarantee early intervention services through local school districts for children dx'ed with autism and other disorders. Lynn has an influential position and although we (three parents) were from her district, we had no appointment. We figured we'd leave messages with each of our three legislators' aids, but we especially doubted that the majority leader would have any time for us.

First we met with Jim Buck (R) a nice guy and a person with a personal connection to developmental disabilities (his sister is institutionalized). We then met with Jim Hargrove (D), a pragmatic, fairly fiscally conservative character. Then we went to Kessler's office. Lynn was, as expected, busy but her LA promised to give her our message when her meeting ended. About 3 minutes after leaving, the LA jogged up to us ("Lynn said go grab those guys") and led us back to her office.

The office was huge, compared to the relatively spartan digs of the other two guys. The first thing you see when you enter the door is a framed 11 x 17 portrait of Lynn, dressed in hunter orange, holding a shotgun, surrounded by her shooting trophies. Intimidating? Uh, yeah.

We had a great conversation with her, she promised to help push the bill and as soon as it passed, we each got separate email from Lynn congratulating us and thanking us for our time.

She's a class act and represents her rural constituents well. She reminds me of a female John Tester.