Under the Dome

Originally published Saturday, March 9, 2002

Good morning. Today is Saturday, March 9, the 55th day of the 60-day regular session.

IN BRIEF

The Senate approved alterations to the state Growth Management Act Friday, sending Gov. Gary Locke a bill that would loosen rules for putting businesses in rural areas.

The vote on Substitute House Bill 1395 was 46-0. All three South Sound senators -- Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County; Dan Swecker, R-Rochester; and Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch -- approved it.

The measure would let small-scale businesses relocate into rural areas vacated by other businesses, if the new firms fit the area's character, said Rep. Bill "Ike" Eickmeyer, D-Belfair, who sponsored it.

He predicted that Locke, who has defended the decade-old growth act against several challenges, will sign it into law.

"Our rural counties need to be something other than places for urban folks to come look at when they get fed up with the city," Eickmeyer said in a news release.

"We have families here who need jobs, and the GMA pendulum swung too far in the direction of preserving rural character, at the expense of small businesses and the jobs they create."

IN THE HOUSE

The Evergreen State College would get $2.5 million if the House plan to jump-start the economy with construction projects is approved.

The $85 million plan proposed by House Democrats was released Friday.

It is somewhat smaller than the construction plan the Senate envisions, but includes more money for four-year colleges.

Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, chairman of the House Capital Budget Committee, tapped an education construction fund normally reserved for K-12 schools to pay for $52 million in projects at community colleges and universities.

The final version of the construction budget will likely be a compromise between the two chambers.

HEARINGS

Here are a few of the committee hearings and work sessions today in the Legislature.

House committee meetings are in the John L. O'Brien Building.

Senate committee hearings are in the John A. Cherberg Building.

House

- Floor session/caucus: 10 a.m.

Senate

- Floor session/caucus: 9 a.m.

ON TELEVISION

The following are excerpts from today's schedule for TVW, the state's public affairs network, found on Channel 23 locally.

- 10 a.m.: House floor action on pending legislation (live).

- 1 p.m.: Senate floor action on pending legislation (live).

Compiled by Brad Shannon

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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