Washblog || HB 2661 Passes the House

HB 2661 Passes the House

By switzerblog
Fri Jan 20, 2006 at 01:13:28 PM PST
Section: Washington State Topic: Legislation

By a 60-37 vote, after some frankly odd debate with references to 9/11 and religion, HB 2661 has passed the State House of Representatives. We'll get a roll call as soon as it's posted.

Update [2006-1-20 16:18:15 by switzerblog]: click here for the roll call. We got some Republicans! I broke out the Republicans, and Eastern WA Republicans - just for clarity and fun.

This is a big victory, but not a huge one. It next goes to the Senate, where it will likely land in the Judiciary Committee. Senator Hargrove (24th) sits on that committee and has a history of locking this bill down, which he's likely to do again. He's a D, but he hates the gays. To remove it from committee without committee approval will require a vote of the full Senate body - same as what happened last year. Tim Sheldon, the no-voting, Republican-caucus-attending, illegal-two-office-holding, Dino-Rossi-lunching Democrat from the 35th flipped last year and voted to remove the bill from committee, then voted against it. Will he do the same this year? He may not need to, with Finkbeiner coming along.

Update [2006-1-20 18:7:39 by switzerblog]:Yet another update: The Flying Spaghetti Monster has informed me that HB 2661 will not be sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee, but instead will be heard by the Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection Committee.

Important names for the Senate vote:

Marilyn Rassmussen. Has felt enormous pressure from the Catholic League in the past (somebody please correct me if that's the wrong group). Has voted no previously, voted yes last year with some arm-twisting. We need to keep her or we're back to 24 votes.
Luke Esser. Could flip - unlikely, but possible. Call him.
Finkbeiner. He's our new best friend.

Call them and call your state Senator using the legislative hotline: 800.562.6000. We can actually get this done this year! (then we'll deal with Eyman's anti-gay initiative...)

< Governor Gregoire's approval numbers jump | Slush fund for GOP front group's fake mailings >

HB 2661 Passes the House | 16 comments (16 topical)

And now its on to the Senate

Next week should be a fun one.

by Particle Man on Fri Jan 20, 2006 at 01:21:35 PM PST

* 1 none 0 *

Hmph?!!! <spills drink...>

then we'll deal with Eyman's anti-gay initiative...

Don't even joke about that.....

by palamedes on Fri Jan 20, 2006 at 01:24:34 PM PST

* 2 none 0 *

Heh. You think I'm kidding... by switzerblog, 01/20/2006 01:31:12 PM PST (none / 0)

Then we kick his butt into next week with it.... by palamedes, 01/20/2006 06:41:09 PM PST (none / 0)

Great post switzer

It is important to remember that this is far from out of the woods, and that the other side is pounding Finkbeiner and other so-called moderate Repubs/conservative Dems to vote no. We need to pound them with calls telling them to vote YES.

by Brian on Fri Jan 20, 2006 at 01:25:17 PM PST

* 3 none 0 *

Luke Esser...

I'd be surprised if he was going to flip. He has a chance to already show to Eastsiders that he's reasonable by voting to pass a bill to close this state's gun show loophole out of committee, and so far he isn't budging.

I suspect he's stickin' to his base...

by palamedes on Fri Jan 20, 2006 at 01:27:53 PM PST

* 4 none 0 *

Bad move on his part... by willisreed, 01/20/2006 01:30:28 PM PST (none / 0)

Debi Golden is the Esser Challenger by calvin, 01/20/2006 02:33:47 PM PST (none / 0)

I'd be surprised too, by switzerblog, 01/20/2006 01:31:56 PM PST (none / 0)

Switzer, you are right but left one person out

Let us not forget that the bill will not get voted out of Senate committee and will have to be pulled from the committee with a procedural floor vote and this may require Tim Sheldon's vote as it did last year. Procedural votes are less likely to pick up support across party lines. So even though Fink plans to vote yes on final passage he may not cross on the vote to pull the bill to the floor. An additional reason why he may not vote with the D's to pull the bill is that (word is) he wants the bill amended and so we may only get his vote or help bringing it to the floor after he gets his amendment.
So people should be calling Tim and seeking his yes vote on the bill or "at least his help in allowing the bill to get an up or down vote"

by Particle Man on Fri Jan 20, 2006 at 01:33:26 PM PST

* 8 none 0 *

Actually by switzerblog, 01/20/2006 01:36:53 PM PST (none / 0)

This is good news! If things play out this way ... by Particle Man, 01/20/2006 03:46:48 PM PST (none / 0)

Interesting name in committee list...

So, it looks as if Sen. Finkbeiner sits on the Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection Committee - which Switzer just told us would be the Senate committee that it would have to navigate to reach the Senate floor for an up or down vote.

Even if Fink decides to vote against it in committee, the Dems have a majority, and none of the troublemakers (read: Sheldon or Hargrove) are on the committee - so we may have smooth sailing this year (at least through committee...).

I'm with Obama

by willisreed on Fri Jan 20, 2006 at 03:15:08 PM PST

* 11 none 0 *

I know Sheldon has... by Belltowner, 01/20/2006 04:54:36 PM PST (none / 0)

He has by switzerblog, 01/20/2006 05:05:26 PM PST (none / 0)

The book on Hargrove by Particle Man, 01/21/2006 01:14:08 PM PST (none / 0)

HB 2661 Passes the House | 16 comments (16 topical)

PNW TOPIC HOTLIST

WELCOME AND FAQ
ABOUT

Login


Make a new account
Username:
Password:

HELP

Recommended Diaries

Highland Park in the News again; heard about Nickelsville?
My little neighborhood in West Seattle, near the city line, is the mouse that got up and roared when the City
By dinazina (30 comments)
Seattle Musician posts video-A nonpartisan version of song "Yes We Can"
I'm a singer songwriter from West Seattle and I just uploaded a video to Youtube that I think is relevant in
By lmsings (2 comments)
No Tears From Me for Lonesome Brian Baird
For those of you who have not seen this from the Seattle Times, I have taken Mr. Westneat to task just
By The Left Shue (5 comments)
Bernie Sanders to the richest: via Youtube
What Bernie says -- in 2005 the top 1% of earners made more than the bottom 50% in the United States.
By chadlupkes (3 comments)
Terry Bergeson Has To Go - Do The Math
At the Thursday July 10th 36th Disctrict Democrat endorsement meeting, some people spoke in favor of Terry Bergeson. I thought they
By rmdSeaBos (22 comments)
Eye Candy from 08 Pride Parade
A girl has to have SOME fun. Above, 34th District Obama delegates Dinazina (moi) and Jody Rogers. This year I
By dinazina (7 comments)