Office changes to occur in Wash. Senate transition

December 28, 2012 @ 5:03 pm

Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Lt. Gov. Brad Owen says there has been "significant progress" in talks between Senate Democrats and a new Republican-majority caucus that is expected to take control of the Senate next month, and Democrats said Friday that they will be soon be relocating to the Senate side that is used by the minority party.

Jeff Reading, deputy chief of staff for Senate Democrats, said Friday that at a meeting in SeaTac convened by Owen, the "majority coalition" caucus comprised of 23 Republicans and two Democrats was recognized as the likely majority. As a result, there will be a change of offices on the Senate floor and in the wings before the legislative session begins on Jan. 14. And as the presumed leader of the majority caucus, Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, will gain the Senate majority office.

Currently, Democrats are on the left hand side of the Senate, and Republicans on the right.

Last month, Senate Democrats elected Murray as their majority leader. But earlier this month, Tom and fellow Democrat, Tim Sheldon of Potlatch, announced they would work with Republicans under a newly formed caucus and that Tom would be the new majority leader.

Tom did not return a call seeking comment on Friday.

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

Under the proposed plan by the caucus to be led by Tom, Republicans will chair six committees, including the panel that controls the state budget, while Democrats will control another six committees. The parties will split control of three other panels, though Sheldon is on two of those committees.

Democrats have not yet accepted that committee structure plan.

Last week, a series of letters were exchanged between Murray and Tom. Murray noted that in order to redefine a majority caucus, the new majority caucus will have to vote to change the permanent rules of the Senate and its governance structure when the legislative session begins next month, something Tom has said they will indeed do.

Owen convened the meeting to try and ease the transition.

"There was an incredible spirit of working together and working things out," he said in a written statement issued Friday. "Significant progress was made. I am pleased with the outcome."

Reading said that Friday's meeting was a "cordial meeting" but that Senate Democrats still need to hold additional meetings on several issues surrounding the proposed transition.

___

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(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (4)


  • Add A Comment

  • maplefish wrote...
    Hopefully
    November 22, 2012 11:34 am
    The will work together to stop the bleeding in the budget and to really make some changes. Good luck in 2013.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ironhdron wrote...
    Of course he.......
    December 17, 2012 2:01 pm
    When he is gonna run for mayor of Seattle of course he won't step out of spotlight. His party has done nothing for years so He will stand in the way as long as possible.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Tom will hopefully act like a fiscal conservative.
    December 29, 2012 11:35 am
    Stop the over-spending already. Now watch all the liberal whine like cry babies...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }