Tagged: washington legislature

On an already tense first day of session in the Washington State Senate, the opening prayer became a source of controversy. It had to do with the issue of same-sex marriage.

OLYMPIA, Wash. –A new governing coalition of 23 Republicans and two Democrats is now in control of the Washington state senate. The power shift happened Monday as the legislature convened for a 105-day budget writing session.

The day began as the first day of session always does with plenty of formalities – including an a cappella rendition of the national anthem.

But that harmony wouldn’t last. Soon Democrats lost a vote to lead the Senate as the majority party. That paved the way for the new philosophical majority to introduce its own governing rules.

"I want to get in a car and just drive."

That's one of the freedoms Washington Governor Chris Gregoire is most excited to reclaim when she leaves office in January. For the past eight years, Gregoire has been relegated to the backseat of a Chevy Suburban chauffeured by the State Patrol.

Some Washington Democrats are reacting angrily to a power grab in the state Senate. A coalition of Republicans and two breakaway Democrats announced Monday they will seize the majority, but share power.