Evan Smith: Local legislators offer different perspectives on whether the Legislature will finish on time

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

The 32nd District’s three State legislators have given me three different perspectives on whether the Legislature will finish on time.

The Legislature’s 60-day session is scheduled to end Thursday, March 11, but there’s talk on the rumor mill, in the press and even from the governor about an extended session because the Legislature may not finish on time.

Rep. Maralyn Chase, a 32nd District Democrat said Sunday that she expects the Legislature to be done on time.

Sen. Darlene Fairley, another 32nd District Democrat, said that she expects the Legislature to finish on time, and come back a few days later to finish.
“We're working on Sunday, hoping to finish,” she said. “Everyone believes we will not finish on time.”

Rep. Ruth Kagi, the third 32nd District Democrat, said Monday that an extended session was likely but that she expected it to be short.

One Snohomish County legislator told me that he expects a few committees to stay in Olympia, with the rest of the legislators coming in for one day to approve a final budget.

The 32nd District includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, an area around Kirkland, Woodway, unincorporated Esperance and part of Edmonds.