Senate Democrats hand power to minority GOP in Olympia

BY Tim Haeck  on December 10, 2012 @ 12:11 pm (Updated: 1:55 pm - 12/10/12 )

Democrats in the State Senate have effectively handed over partial control to minority Republicans. Two Democrats in the Washington state Senate abandoned their caucus Monday, vowing to work with Republicans to control the chamber and push conservative budgeting principles.

Democratic Sens. Rodney Tom of Bellevue and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch have cut a deal to share committee leadership with the GOP.

"The public out there is hungry for us to come together, to work together in a collaborative manner and that's exactly what this coalition is trying to accomplish," said Tom of the bipartisan caucus.

Republicans will chair six committees, including the panel that controls the state budget. Democrats will control another six committees while the parties will co-chair three others when the Legislature convenes Jan. 14.

"This is not about power. This is not about control," said Tom, who will rise to serve as the new majority leader. "This is about governing in a collaborative manner."

Democrats have a small majority in the Senate, controlling 26 of 49 seats. With the moves by Tom and Sheldon, Republicans effectively hold a 25-24 advantage.

Along with sustainable budgets, the lawmakers said they want to promote job growth, reform the education system, and hold state government accountable.

Sen. Ed Murray, the Democratic leader in the chamber, said in a statement that he doesn't believe the Republicans' "take-it-or-leave-it plan" is the right way forward.

"We recognize that any majority in the Senate will be an unstable one, and we are committed to forming a mutually agreed-upon way for Republicans and Democrats to work together," Murray said.

Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler said the new approach is the sort of cooperation the people of Washington and the country want to see.

"I look forward to showing you that the Senate can put politics aside and provide a responsible, bipartisan approach to the coming session," Schoesler said.

"The committee structure put forth by the coalition caucus is a great way to bring more perspective and better geographical representation to the lawmaking process," said Sheldon during an Olympia news conference.

"We'll have great diversification and representation across the state and it also brings compromise and it finds common interest areas that we can all agree on," said Sheldon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (8)


  • Add A Comment

  • maplefish wrote...
    Bravo
    December 10, 2012 12:49 pm
    I really hope this State can lead by example. As a Citizen, I am skeptical, but wish you all the very best. We have got to get this spending under control. Our Children and Grandchildren's financial futures are in your hands.Good Luck!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    You could make the argument
    December 10, 2012 2:20 pm
    that the dems realize the new governor is way worse than the last and that shedding some responsibility on the Rep's will help their cause in raising taxes.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    The real trick will be
    December 10, 2012 2:56 pm
    Getting the state GOP leadership to smoke what the state Dem leadership has been smoking now that they legalized it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    We have got to get this spending under control. Our Children and Grandchildren's financial futures are in your hands
    December 10, 2012 4:46 pm
    Agreed and it appears even these two Dems realize this...of course they have just angered all liberals in this state who will call for their heads. Dissention must be stopped at all costs, comrades.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    uh, no...
    December 11, 2012 7:08 am
    this is a good step. Washington needs to get it's act together and both parties coming together is the only way to do that.

    a LOT of "Dems" in this state believe this and will agree that this was the right move.

    how about you knock off the divisive gum flapping though, hpd...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    The end is near
    December 10, 2012 7:02 pm
    This is a smokescreen for you mindless republicans to make you think you have some control. This is not the case. Wash. is a Democratic State and will remain so for a long time. Sorry!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    you don't help...
    December 11, 2012 7:10 am
    liberals with your far left rant longway.

    you sound a lot like the rwnj's on this site.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Uilleam wrote...
    Budget
    December 11, 2012 6:50 am
    Hopefully the "coalition" can stop the liberal tax and spend cycle and produce a livable budget without bowing to greedy union pressure for more, more, more. Democrats, by themselves do not have the fortitude to stand up to the teachers union and say enough is enough.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }