Washblog

Just look at the recent agreement on water policy in our state. Now this is not a sexy issue and many may not have been following along since the early 90's. That's right, the early 90's. Water policy in our state has been the subject of commission after commission for nearly 25 years with no one able to forge an agreement between agriculture, fisheries, environmental, tribal and of course R v/s D interests. Oh bills have been written and some have had hearings. Some have even passed out of committee in one chamber or another, but an agreement was never reached until now.
And why should this year be any different?  
Politics are if anything more partisan divided than ever in our state. Well, the difference is Chris Gregoire who not only brokered the deal after many long meetings she had arranged but then saved the water bill from almost certain fate, after the two houses developed changes to the agreed package. Just ask Sen. Bob Morton R 7th district when he credits with getting this huge issue solved.
Another great example of Gregoire's ability to bring warring factions together on the important issues facing the people of our state is the recent compromise she has negotiated in the area of medical-malpractice. The bill HB2292 looks as though it will sail through both houses after years of rancorous debate and repeated failures at reaching even incremental compromise, this bill takes a giant step in the right direction.
Is it fair to credit Gov. Chris with this landmark compromise? Well, just look what Sen. Dale Brandland R from Bellingham and the GOP's lead on this issue had to say. (from the Olympian Tuesday 2/21/06) "I think what happened was that the Governor basically took those interests and brought them into the room and got the politics out of this. That is how this thing came about." Turning to Gregoire Dale said "I've got to tell you, I think if you hadn't done this, we'd probably be at loggerheads today. It was political plain and simple." Also in recognition of the governor's achievement in bringing warring factions together from insurance, doctors, trial lawyers and advocacy groups, R Senator Alex Deccio said "I think the fact you got everybody together makes you eligible for a medal of valor"

Now there is still work to do in this area but with the leadership our Governor has demonstrated on this and many other tough issues I look forward to many future successes on the yet to be resolved issues facing our state. The fair share issue is but one example.

So if this Governor does not see a bump in the polls of at least 10% after her leadership on these issues, civil rights, fiscal responsibility and so many others, people are just not paying attention.