Steve Bloom/The Olympian
At the start of the legislative session Monday, House Speaker Frank Chopp (center), D-Seattle, greets House Minority Leader Clyde Ballard, R-East Wenatchee. At far left is Rep. Jeff Gombosky, D-Spokane, who escorted Chopp to the rostrum to be sworn in. The early show of amity quickly unfolded as the day wore on.

Bipartisanship sinks on session's first day

Chopp's comments draw acid rebuttal from Ballard

BRAD SHANNON AND PATRICK CONDON, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- "Well, ladies and gentlemen, here we go again," said Lt. Gov. Brad Owen as he dropped the gavel in the Senate at Monday's start of the 2002 legislative session.

Less than six months since they adjourned, lawmakers commenced with calls for "a new start," "forgiveness" and cooperation between Republicans and Democrats. Many referred to the unifying effects of the Sept. 11 attacks in their floor speeches.

Yet there were early signs that hope for peace, love and understanding won't last in the face of a $1.25 billion budget hole, with sharply different visions from the two parties about how to fill it. Newly sworn-in House Speaker Frank Chopp said his Democratic caucus, which has a 50-48 advantage, is prepared to assemble and pass a budget without Republican assistance.

"I'm assuming there won't be any Republican votes on the operating budget," Chopp told reporters after the opening ceremony. "We assume the Republicans will not cooperate and we will move forward."

Chopp said his game plan was based on comments after the November election by House Minority Leader Clyde Ballard, R-East Wenatchee. Ballard had put the onus on Democrats to lead and declared that Republican leaders should no longer be blamed for inaction.

But Ballard bristled Monday at Chopp's comments. "This is a heck of a way to build bipartisanship," Ballard said. "This sounds like 2001 all over again."

Friction in the House is all but expected after three years of a 49-49 tie that pitted co-speakers Chopp and Ballard in an endless stalemate on most major issues.

That frustration could be matched this year in the Senate, where Democrats have a one-vote majority and the independent-minded Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, is more than willing to team up with Republicans.

Still, Sheldon failed Monday to round up enough Republican votes to join him in a bid to give the GOP more seats on key Senate committees.

Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder, D-Long Beach, warned that Sheldon's ploy could only prolong the session.

"You need 25 votes to do anything," Sheldon said after the Senate recessed for the day, frustrated that Republicans weren't able to provide enough votes for a move that presumably would benefit their caucus.

Senate Republican leaders indicated that at least one caucus member wasn't comfortable with striking such a confrontational note on the first day of session.

"A majority of the caucus wanted it, but I guess there was some who didn't want the added responsibility," said Senate Minority Leader Jim West of Spokane, refusing to identify the member or members with concerns.

Republicans promised the issue would rear its head again before too long:

"This is yet to be resolved," said Republican Floor Leader Larry Sheahan of Spokane.

"Sen. Snyder has been here since 1949, and he thinks you need to do it the way they did it in 1949," West said.

Calls for cooperation

In spite of the difficulties brewing, legislators of both parties reached across the aisle in speeches. Snyder noted that the Senate was able to approve budgets last year with Republican support, and West spoke of the need for both parties to cooperate.

"People don't care about Democrats or Republicans," West said. "They just care that the economy is suffering and that their friends and neighbors, and in some cases themselves, are not working."

Ballard told the House members that he hopes the Legislature can listen to voters and work together in a 60-day session to "prove to the people of Washington state we are worthy of their trust."

The parties also appear to agree that a transportation funding package, parts of which could be approved by the House and Senate this week, is essential.

"No more urgent problem faces us," Chopp said.

"Come March 14, the skeptics and cynics may be disappointed, but the citizens won't be if we do this right," Ballard said.

In an early sign of bipartisanship, the Senate approved a bill to retroactively accept a plan by the Washington state Redistricting Commission that was approved later than the deadline set in state law.

To the rank and file, the first day offered hope of a better year than in 2001.

Republican Sen. Dan Swecker of Rochester said he's hopeful the legislative gridlock is over in both houses.

"We ran into a lot of frustration last year and we're not anxious to repeat that," he said.

As for adjournment in 60 days, Rep. Kathy Haigh, D-Shelton, said: "With good leadership, it can (happen). I think leadership is going to be tested."

Coming today

Gov. Gary Locke delivers his State of the State address in the House chambers at 4 p.m. today.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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