According to an article on Washington State Standard it states that for years, governors and their staff in Washington had easy access to the House chamber. But that changed last Friday when House Democrats voted to restrict that access.
Starting now, only the governor can automatically enter the House chamber. Any other member of the governor’s staff will need an invitation from a House member to get in.
Some believe this move is a response to Governor Bob Ferguson’s inauguration speech. In that speech, Ferguson embraced some Republican priorities and didn’t fully praise Democrat-passed policies, like those focused on climate change and early education. Many House Democrats are still upset about this.
House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, a Democrat, said the rule change was necessary because the old rule allowed too many people into the House chamber. However, House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, a Republican, sees it differently. He thinks the change is a direct response to the governor’s speech, calling it “retaliation.”
The new rule is part of a set of permanent rules that were approved last Friday to govern how lawmakers work in the current and next session. The rule changes cover a wide range of topics, from how long lawmakers can speak in debates to a ban on vaping in the chamber. Usually, these changes are minor, but Friday’s session saw some more noticeable revisions.
For example, the rule that used to say, “The governor (or designees or both)” will now just say “The governor.” Another change makes it easier for Democrats to end Republican filibusters. Normally, a two-thirds vote was needed to stop a filibuster, but now a simple majority will do, which Democrats can easily achieve since they hold 59 out of 98 seats.
Republicans, including Stokesbary, criticized the change, arguing that it puts the majority’s convenience over the rights of the minority. Stokesbary suggested that if Democrats are worried about running out of time, they should start working earlier.
Another change bans “title-only” bills, which used to be filed with just a title and number, leaving space for last-minute legislation, often related to the budget. These will no longer be allowed in either the House or Senate.
The new rules mark a shift in the balance of power in Washington’s legislature, as Democrats make changes to suit their majority.
