State Reps. Kagi and Ryu not surprised about special session

By Evan Smith

When Gov. Jay Inslee said in Shoreline Tuesday that he expects to call the legislature back for a special session, State Reps. Ruth Kagi and Cindy Ryu weren't surprised.

Democratic Reps. Kagi and Ryu both had said before the announcement that they expected a special session.

Ryu Said Tuesday that the legislature simply was running out of time before the end of the 105-day regular session.

Ryu, deputy Democratic majority whip and a member of the House Rules Committee, blamed Senate Republicans.

“The House (led by Democrats) was very cognizant of our schedule and met every cut-off deadline with purposeful and sincere efforts to pass meaningful policy bills and to fund them through our budget proposal,” she said in an e-mail. “Our intention and actions also met the mandates of various court decisions including McCleary to fully fund education.” 

“Unfortunately, I understand the Republican-led Senate has yet to agree to negotiate the budget in any meaningful manner.”

The 2012 McCleary decision by the state Supreme Court requires the legislature to provide full state support for public education.

Kagi said in January that she thought the legislature could finish its work within the allotted 105-day period, but by Monday she said she expected a special session.

Kagi and Ryu represent the 32nd Legislative District including the City of Shoreline, and part of northwest Seattle in addition to Lynnwood, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, and parts of Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace.

Kagi is a member of the House Appropriations Committee in addition to bring chairwoman of the House committee on early learning and human services.

Ryu is vice chairwoman of the committee on business and financial services and a member of the committee on technology and economic development, in addition to being a member of the Rules Committee and deputy majority whip.

Democratic Rep. Jessyn Farrell, also a member of the Rules Committee, had a different view of the special session Monday.

“I am an eternal optimist and am hopeful that negotiators from the House Dems and the Senate Republicans can find common ground in the next few days and get me home to my three children,” she said.

Democratic 46th Legislative District Rep. Farrell is vice chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee and a member of the Environment Committee and the committee on early learning and human services in addition to being a member of the Rules Committee.

The 46th District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.