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Olympia.jpg
Republicans officially took control of the state Senate on Monday. The state's House of Representatives is controlled by Democrats 55 to 43. (AP/Ted S. Warren photo)

As Washington becomes more liberal, Republicans push back

January 15, 2013 @ 4:20 pm (Updated: 5:56 am - 1/16/13 )

Washington is a state divided by more than mountains.

"We talk about a boat in eastern Washington, we're talking about a row boat with a set of oars on it that we take fishing on the little lakes," says Republican State Senator Bob Morton. "If you talk about a boat in western Washington, you're talking about a yacht."

Beyond wealth, Washington is also politically divided.

That's the thesis of a Time Magazine article that outlines political maneuvering just getting underway in Olympia.

Here's an excerpt:

When Washington Republican state senator Bob Morton went to Olympia in 1991, he had one goal: divide the state in two. The first time he sponsored a bill to that effect, he says the committee chair thought it was a joke. The chair scheduled a hearing, thinking the bill would be laughed off. "After two paragraphs of testimony, you could hear a pin drop," Morton said. "It doesn't take much more than a paragraph to realize we have a problem here."

The problem Morton refers to is the stark divide between conservative east Washington and the liberal west. Morton, a Methodist minister, hails from the former, where Seattle is a dirty word. The district he represented for more than 20 years, before retiring in January, is tucked in the northeastern corner of the state—any further and it'd be in Idaho.

Morton never succeeded in creating two Washingtons, but his party has managed to split power in the state house. In an effort to give people outside of Seattle a larger voice, two Democrats joined Republicans in December to form a 25-24 majority coalition in the state senate.

Sen. Mark Schoesler, the state's Republican leader, who represents a district that includes a series of small cities to the south and west of Spokane, says the coalition will focus on the budget, jobs and education. "We want to bring the state back to the basic priorities," he said. "I think we should be looking at our business climate before we look at banning plastic bags."

Sen. Rodney Tom, who represents parts of eastern King County and is one of the two Democrats to join the GOP coalition, says he hopes to restore balance.

"If you look at what had transpired when the Senate Democrats were running the show, 60-70 percent of the committee chairs were out of Seattle," he tells Time Magazine. "How representative is that?"

The Senate coalition will still have to contend with the state's House of Representatives, which is controlled by Democrats 55 to 43. But Washington's new Senate coalition can live with that.

"We can't do anything crazy and neither can they," says Tom, who became majority leader this week. "It protects us from Democrats from Seattle getting in a room, drinking the same Kool-Aid and driving us off a cliff."

Full article - A State Divided: As Washington Becomes More Liberal, Republicans Push Back

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (22)


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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    The golden rule: Those who have the gold get a huge say in setting the rules
    January 15, 2013 4:02 pm
    A separate state in Eastern Washington? Gladly!

    I live in King County, one of the few "tax export" counties in the state. There are more tax dollars sent to Olympia from our county that are returned to this county in the way of services. We're quite literally subsidizing the people living in smaller and more rural counties. I'd be in favor or either reducing taxes overall, or returning more of what we pay in King County to King County purposes.

    I don't know that there are any "tax export" counties in Eastern Washington. Most are on life support. They may all claim to despise Western Washington and those who live here, but they aren't reluctant to let us support their highways, schools, etc, etc, etc.

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  • logical open mind wrote...
    Chuck, please do remember that many Eastern Wa folks are working their rears off making an important thing called food!
    January 15, 2013 4:33 pm
    Ya, most farmers/ranchers dont make much money but they make food. Dave R practicaly equates easter Wa farmers with welfare losers because of their low tax contribution-Dave is dumb-farmers make food-essential, welfare moms make kids who as a % end up on dope, booze or in prision. Can we/would we want to live without food? Can we live without the offspring and negative contribution of the welfare society? yes!! Also it's is good that we have some rural small towns that support people rather than everyone living in moster sized cities.
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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Logical Open Mind, we buy food from a whole lot of states already
    January 15, 2013 5:11 pm
    It isn't essential for Eastern Washington to be part of the same state as Western Washington in order for them to grow food for a living- or for Western Washingtonians to buy it.

    If the flow of tax dollars from the west side dried up, yeah, they might have to raise the price of food a little bit to cover the costs for fixing their roads, running their schools, etc.

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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Logical, you must remember that to the liberal mind -
    January 16, 2013 5:49 am
    Food comes from Grocery Stores. ..... The concept os actual growing, and/or production is alien to that mind set.

    That's why Obama can honestly believe that unemployment compensation contributes more to the economy than actual jobs. And how welfare is an economic boon to the inner cities.

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  • mnpat wrote...
    “If you look at what had transpired when the Senate Democrats were running the show, 60-70% of the committee chairs were out of Seattle,”
    January 15, 2013 4:07 pm
    According to Liberals, what is best for Seattle is best for everyone......I would love to see the state split, Seattle can take their stuff with King County and Tacoma and leave the rest for us. "Free at last, Free at last, thank God almighty, we would be Free at last!"
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  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Eastern Washington should become its own state. its true for many reasons.
    January 15, 2013 4:25 pm
    They are not fairly represented. The deserve tier own leadership for the standard of living they desire. They are poor as a grain sack with a hole in it. Western Washington should not be forced to continually pay to cover the lack of resources east-siders need. It would give WA two more seats in the Senate. The east coast by comparison has an unfair advantage in congress over the West coast.
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  • logical open mind wrote...
    easter Wa farmers could make up the difference in tax income by charging an arm and a leg for food.
    January 15, 2013 4:39 pm
    ya gotta eat man.
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    You have a point logical open mine
    January 16, 2013 4:26 pm
    But who are you going to get to pick the food? Are you going to keep those illegals picking our food or are you going to amnesty them so they can continue to pick your food, that's would be interesting to see how that works,lol.
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  • cdbtx wrote...
    How about some real facts
    January 15, 2013 4:54 pm
    King County - Mfg Shipments ($1000) 37,390,762

    Non_King County Mfg Shipments ($1000) 112,053,283

    King County Merchant Wholesale Sales ($1000) 41,042,685

    Non King Count Wholesales ($1000) 76,790,966

    King County Retail Sales ($1000) 37,153,888

    Non King Count Retail Sales ($1000) 92,968,519

    Hmmmm looks like King County is not the center of the Universe of the State as some would have you believe..

    Want more? There are more minority owned firms OUTSIDE of King County than in King County

    More? Building Permits - King County 6,143 - Non King County 20,864

    More? It makes you start to wonder who's paying for who's existence and social program.. :)

    Veterns - King County - 125,035. Non-King County 601,507

    High school graduation rate outside of King County per capita blows King County away.

    College Degree per Capita also blows King County away.

    Of course.. what would you like the numbers to say.. it's easy to create whatever reality you want to see

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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    cdbtx: When you compare the numbers from King County vs the *entire dang state* (!) you ruin your own argument.
    January 15, 2013 5:18 pm
    According to *your* numbers, 33% of mfg shipments from Washington state originate in King County. All the other counties together, combined, barely do twice what King County does by itself.

    According to *your* numbers 54% of all merchant wholesale sales in the entire state take place in King County. All other counties together, combined, fall short of what King County does.

    According to *your* numbers, 40% of all retail activity in the entire state takes place in King County. All other counties together, combined, divide up the other 60 percent.

    So where do you think the center of the financial universe is in Washington state? Moses Lake?

    What's next? A chart proving that Bill Gates isn't the richest guy around because if we added up everybody else in the state put together we'd come up with a number higher than Gates' wealth?

    I hope you didn't really fall for the goofy logic somebody was peddling wherever you happened to find these numbers.

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  • cdbtx wrote...
    Read your own post Gould
    January 15, 2013 5:43 pm
    We create our own realities with numbers...
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  • cdbtx wrote...
    Also should we talk
    January 15, 2013 6:04 pm
    Washington State General Fund which makes up a small percent of the budget of should we refer to the entire budget... Again.. what reality would you like to create... it's all about being creative when pushing an ideology... When you read the typical media rhetoric it ONLY refers to the General Fund.. my..my..my..now why is that?
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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    I did read my post...
    January 15, 2013 6:16 pm
    I claimed that King County was one of the few "tax export" counties in Washington state and that more state taxes are collected from King County than are spent here by residents consuming state services.

    I noted that if King County tax dollars weren't being diverted for roads, schools, etc in Dustbowl County on the other side of the Cascades, we could maybe even lower that taxes we are forced to pay.

    You then attempt to refute my observation that King County is the most economically powerful county in the state, as well as a net tax *exporter*, by observing that if you add up every other county in the state together there is somewhat more activity in the the rest of the state, combined, than in King County alone.

    Sort your numbers again, for Eastern Washington vs. Western Washington, not for King County vs. the entire rest of the state. East vs West is the subject matter here.

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  • mnpat wrote...
    The tax benifits for bussiness would change considerably if there was a split Chuck
    January 16, 2013 6:36 am
    And much like the bussiness flight from California to Texas, Arizonia and New Mexico, I'm pretty darn certain there would be a serious re-arangement of entities which takes jobs and population with them.
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  • logical open mind wrote...
    hey, should we round up the lazy eastern wash ranchers and farmers and send them to mexico
    January 16, 2013 3:43 pm
    why pit one against the other? Typical lib thing to do, but why? Do u want all eastern wa folks move to king county?
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  • 509 wrote...
    Your confusing manufacturing with taxes paid to state government....
    January 16, 2013 8:41 am
    Boeing, Microsoft, Weyerhauser and other western Washington firms get major tax breaks on their state taxes. According to the Washington Department of Revenue these firms pay ONLY 3.1% of the B&O tax in the state. Boeing and Microsoft tax rates are estimated to be 20% of the small business tax rate. That is because the state refusing to release the tax information by firm. But you can find lots of information on the complaint by AirBus on unfair Boeing tax breaks. Interesting reading. Here are the only FACTS we know: Eastern Washington gas tax money goes to western Washington. Two King County and the city of Seattle OWE the state 500 million or so from transfers from education lottery funds to the stadiums. Everything else at this point is conjecture and statements without fact. However, I would support a toll on the cross-Cascade highways since nobody from western Washington ever travels to eastern Washington. That will get us 509'ers to pay more in tax revenue!!!
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  • cigarfan wrote...
    Idaho is there for a reason...........
    January 15, 2013 6:17 pm
    Vancouver/Seattle/Portland/San Francisco are pretty much the driving Cultural forces of the Left coast. If a person really wants to live in "redneck-ville".. they can always live in Utah or Idaho or the South -if you dare.
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  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    "Those who have the gold get a huge say in setting the rules"
    January 16, 2013 5:41 am
    So you're saying the liberals, like you, are the "evil rich ones". Yet the left screams just the opposite. Wow. Hypocryisy, AGAIN? That's not "fair".
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  • ratrustle wrote...
    Seems like
    January 16, 2013 6:37 am
    The Republicans found a way to adapt the rules in their favor this session. As a small business owner I have empathy for Eastern Washington wanting to be their own State. King County does not represent the entire state, but does get to set the agenda. That may seem fair if you live in King County, but it doesn't settle well east of the mountains. We have one of the harshest business climates to operate a small business ANYWHERE! Our legislature seems to think that they can add fees and taxes without any consequences. That works as long as everyone can afford to pay -- unfortunately there is a tipping point. It's not just about keeping your power because you have all the money, tools and power, as the majority, you have to protect the interests of the minority or there will eventually be consequences. This is a history lesson for all of those that think they know better how to legislate for those who don't have the power!
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  • mnpat wrote...
    The attitude of Seattle has always been
    January 16, 2013 6:59 am
    The rest of the state should be grateful for their guidance as we would be lost without them. I would be more then willing to do it without them.....fresh water would start to become awful expensive for the emerald city.
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  • kato1967 wrote...
    WA and OR
    January 16, 2013 7:31 am
    When the Oregon territory was split along the Columbia to create the States of WA and OR, it should actually have been split along the spine of the Cascade mountains. That way all the liberal hippies near the coast could have their socialist paradise, and the real Americans in the eastern part could enjoy life and liberty without interference from Statist fools.
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  • cigarfan wrote...
    Living without a state........
    January 16, 2013 6:03 pm
    is also called "Anarchy"...which doesn't work. It's hilarious how right wing nut jobs don't even realize what they're advocating. I'll take being a "statist" anyday because of the social contract.
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