Senate Democrats claim bigger share of Ways & Means

Plus more committee developments, a key Ferguson hire, and some recommended reading

In recent years, the single biggest killing ground for progressive ideas in the Legislature was the powerful Senate Ways & Means Committee, which both writes the budget and passes judgment on anything with a significant price tag for the taxpayers. 

Brace yourself, because we’re about to get down in the weeds of Legislative procedure. 

Democrats held just a two-vote margin in that committee, which meant that if two of its Democratic members opposed something that was also opposed by minority Republicans, that thing died fast and quietly. Not coincidentally, two of the D seats on the panel were held by moderate Sens. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, and Kevin Van De Wege, D-Port Angeles, both of whom weren’t shy about killing things. 

We couldn’t resist such a good opportunity to run Tim’s cardigan picture from the end of the session. Four of the Democrats in this photo won’t be back next year. Photo by Tim Gruver.