WashingtonVotes.org provides plain-English descriptions of every bill and amendment offered in the state Legislature.  The goal of providing this resource to citizens, however, has been made difficult this year due to the lack of legislative transparency.  Here is an op-ed we wrote highlighting these difficulties:  Ghost Bills and Mystery Hearings Mark 2010 Session, Creating Lack of Public Process

Despite public outcry over the lack of transparency in the legislative process, the games continue.  Today the Senate Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing with less than 24 hours of notice.  During the public hearing lawmakers considered a draft to SB 6889 (It was noted on the agenda as S-5541.1).  So what's the big deal?  SB 6889 was not even officially introduced by the Senate at the time of the public hearing, though I suspect that it will be on tomorrow's introduction sheet.

It will be interesting to see how the bill history will read for SB 6889.  Will they acknowledge that the public hearing was held before the bill was introduced?

The first action of the Special Session, which begins today in Olympia, was a vote by the Senate to modify transparency rules.  The rule change by the Senate would allow for immediate floor action on bills after they pass a committee.  Here is a good blog post describing today's action: Senate adopts rule change to speed up votes. 

Special Session begins today in Olympia. There are very few details available, but lawmakers are expected to continue the work they started during the regular 60-day session. Their unfinished work includes negotiating the supplemental budget and finalizing a tax package. Check back later for more details as they become available.

Special Session will begin on Monday, March 15, 2010.  Legislators failed to finish their work in the provided 60-day session and will use the additional time to pass a budget and increase taxes.  What are your thoughts on this?

The Seattle Times is reporting this morning that lawmakers in Olympia have determined that a special session will be needed to finish the supplemental budget and tax packages.  Do you think that lawmakers should have more time?

The state income tax bill scheduled for public hearing today at 4:30. SB 6250, which would create a graduated income tax, has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee today at 4:30. It is our understanding the an amendment will be offered, but it is not yet available to the public. Stay tuned!

The Senate Ways and Means Committee passes SB 6871. Along with increasing court filing fees the proposal would also add a surcharge to car insurance policies to fight auto theft. According to the I-960 fiscal impact statement, the new charge is expected to collect $9.6 million annually from auto policyholders.

Governor Gregoire signed SB 6130 as adopted by the Legislature. There was some question as to whether the Governor would veto the 2-year repeal of the non-binding advisory votes. She said that she delayed the bill signing today to consider the requests to veto that section of the bill. As a result of today's action the Washington Policy Center will be publishing an I-960 voter's pamphlet.

Today, both the Senate and House of Representatives released their 2010 supplemental budget proposals.  Each budget relies on both tax cuts and reduced spending.  To see the details for each bill check out SB 6444 and HB 2824.  As more details regarding these budget proposals become available we will post them here. 

In the wake of SB 6130, which would repeal voter protections in Initiative 960, Washington Policy Center today announced it will publish the public disclosure information that would have appeared in the voters’ pamphlet if Initiative 960 had remained in place.  Click here to read the full release from the Washignton Policy Center.

The House of Representatives is debating SB 6130 on the floor of the House.  SB 6130 would repeal voter protections of I-960 including eliminating the 2/3 requiremnet to raise taxes and the requirement to provide non-binding vote by the public when the legislature increases taxes.  What do you think? 

Both the Senate and the House are working towards today's House of Origin cutoff at 5:00 PM this afternoon.  Did the legislation that you are tracking pass?   

The state's budget outlook worsened today with news that the revenue forecast is being downgraded by $118 million. Combined with a $96 million increase in caseloads, the state's new budget deficit is projected to be $2.8 billion.  What are your suggestions for closing the budget gap?

The House has introduce HB 3183 entitled the economic crisis revenue bill.  HB 3183 would increase the state's sales tax by 1%.  What do you think? 

SB 6843, which was adopted only yesterday by the Senate, would have retained the transparency provisions of the Taxpayer Protection Act (I-960). However, those voting in favor of the bill didn't know they were preserving the transparency provision requirements so the Senate plans to revote and remove these provisions today. Keep checking back for additional updates on suspension of I-960.