Dori Monson: ‘Do they have nothing better to do in Olympia?’

After watching the president appear with Zach Galifianakis on “Between Two Ferns” and hearing about a few things that the lawmakers in Olympia have been working on, KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson is questioning how elected officials are spending their time.

“I think it’s silly that a Republican senator here in our state has introduced a bill that would require the Huskies and Gonzaga Zags to play every year in men’s basketball,” says Monson. “I just think maybe there are more important things we should be doing in Olympia.”

Monson invited Washington State Senator Michael Baumgartner onto the show to explain just why he thought it was so important the Zags and Huskies play one another.

“It is a game and a rivalry that is enjoyed by everybody across the state. It was good for the schools, and it was good for the economy quite frankly. There is a lot of economic activity around that game,” said Baumgartner.

But Monson still had questions.

“People are getting so cynical about all of government,” said Monson, “and when they see a bill about a college basketball game, do you think that’s really what people want right now?”

“Sure. It’s just the introduction of a bill,” Baumgartner said, adding it only took him 15 minutes to write it and introduce it.

“I’ll remind you both the House and Senate found time to vote on naming an official state oyster the other day,” he said, explaining he was the only no vote because he thought it was a frivolous item.

“How is this not equally frivolous?” Dori asked.

Baumgartner told Dori he doesn’t think it’s frivolous at all.

“It is a big issue for the economy of our state. It’s a big deal for the economy in Spokane when they play. The fans in both schools want the game. And if it is personal pettiness of coaching staff, and the coaching staffs work for the state. They do work for the people. Why wouldn’t the legislature step in and take 15 minutes to send a message on the issue?”

As a result of his introducing the bill, Baumgartner told Dori representatives from both schools have reached out to him and that they are discussing bringing back the basketball matchup. Dori still says he doesn’t think lawmakers needs to be working on coordinating basketball schedules or declaring state oysters.

“Just take care of the basic functions of government, we’ll handle the basketball scheduling,” said Dori, who points out he has experience scheduling games for his Shorecrest girl’s team. “You guys deal with the big issues.”

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