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SEVENTH DAY, FIRST SPECIAL SESSION
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MORNING SESSION
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Senate Chamber, Olympia, Thursday, March 16, 2000
The Senate was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by President Owen. The Secretary called the roll and announced to the President that all Senators were present except Senators Finkbeiner, Oke and Sellar. On motion of Senator Honeyford, Senators Finkbeiner, Oke and Sellar were excused.
The Sergeant at Arms Color Guard, consisting of Pages Erin Apperson and Randy Ackerman, presented the Colors. Reverend Howard Ullery, Jr., pastor of the Lacey Community Church, offered the prayer.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR
March 15, 2000
TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have the honor to advise you that on March 15, 2000, Governor Locke approved the following Senate Bill entitled:
Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6199
Relating to health care patient protection.
Sincerely,
EVERETT H. BILLINGSLEA, General Counsel
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
SJR 8218 by Senators Patterson, Gardner, Kline, Franklin, Kohl-Welles, Goings, Haugen and T. Sheldon
Providing for the secretary of state to be presiding officer of the house of representatives when no party has a majority.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
MOTION
On motion of Senator McAuliffe, the following resolution was adopted:
SENATE RESOLUTION 2000-8776
By Senators McAuliffe, McCaslin, Bauer, Kohl-Welles and Spanel
WHEREAS, Providing all Washington State children a public education is the paramount duty of the state; and
WHEREAS, It is impossible to provide our children a quality public education if they cannot get to school, if they do not have enough food on the table at home, if the schools they arrive at are neglected, cold and unsafe; and
WHEREAS, Classified employees are the bus drivers who are safely transporting, in sometimes dangerous road conditions, over 462,907 students each day in 8,610 busses over 465,119 miles; the food service employees feeding over 407,065 students nearly 528,891 meals per day; the custodian and maintenance employee ensuring that the 2,071 school buildings where our children are receiving their education are functional, warm, clean, and safe; and
WHEREAS, Classified employees are the secretaries who make sure that all parents, staff, and most importantly, all children, receive the necessary support and services while at the same time providing love and attention to each student’s special needs, even if all that is needed is a Band-Aid, a friendly ear or reminder; and
WHEREAS, Classified employees are the instructional assistants who are increasingly depended upon to provide individualized attention to students in the classroom to ensure they meet the higher academic standards, as well as provide such specialized services as nursing and interpreting for deaf and disabled children and students who speak other languages; and
WHEREAS, Classified employees are normally the first employees called upon when there is a threat to our children’s safety and security; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary to employ over 50,000 classified employees to provide these essential support services to the nearly one million students receiving public education; and
WHEREAS, Washington State students have had their education significantly enhanced by the services of classified school employees; and
WHEREAS, Washington State citizens seldom reflect on the critical role classified employees play in providing our children a quality education.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor classified school employees during Classified School Employee Week, March 12 through 17, 2000, and urge all citizens to join in honoring and recognizing the dedication and hard work of all classified school employees.
WHEREAS, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Public School Employees of Washington.
MOTION
On motion of Senator West, the following resolution was adopted:
SENATE RESOLUTION 2000-8775
By Senators West, Sheldon, B., McCaslin, Kohl-Welles and Zarelli
WHEREAS, Gonzaga University’s Mens’ Basketball Team the Bulldogs have won their second consecutive West Coast Conference Championship title with a thrilling overtime victory over Pepperdine University; and
WHEREAS, The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated all Washington schools that they played this season, including the Washington State Cougars and the University of Washington Huskies; and
WHEREAS, The Bulldogs Basketball Team has achieved their sixth post-season trip of the decade, including three National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament appearances, and
WHEREAS, First year head coach Mark Few has guided the Bulldogs to their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Mens’ Basketball Tournament; and
WHEREAS, After winning the 2000 West Coast Conference title the Bulldogs earned a berth in the NCAA Basketball Tournament; and
WHEREAS, The NCAA Tournament is the intense competition that leads to the final four and eventually the collegiate national championship; and
WHEREAS, A berth in the NCAA Tournament is a high achievement of perseverance and team work; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Bulldogs Basketball team are: Casey Calvary, Alex Dench, Ryan Floyd, Richie Frahm, John Gebbers, Zach Gourde, Matt Kincaid, Mike Nilson, Matt Santangelo, Jay Sherrell, Mark Spink, Jimmy Tricco, and Kenny Williams; and
WHEREAS, Gonzaga’s coaching staff consists of: Mark Few, Bill Grier, Leon Rice, Scott Snider, and Trainer Steve DeLong.; and,
WHEREAS, The community of Spokane takes great pride in Gonzaga University and its Mens’ Championship Basketball Team;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognizes and applauds Gonzaga University’s Mens’ Basketball Team for their achievement of both winning the West Coast Conference Championship title, and receiving a well-earned berth into the highly regarded NCAA Tournament;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Gonzaga University’s Athletic Department in Spokane Washington; to the Bulldogs Head Coach Mark Few, and to the President of Gonzaga University, Father Robert J. Spitzer.
Senators West, Betti Sheldon, Deccio and Brown spoke to Senate Resolution 2000-8775.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Hale, the following resolution was adopted:
SENATE RESOLUTION 2000-8773
By Senators Hale and Kohl-Welles
WHEREAS, The Kennewick Lions Girls’ Basketball Team won the Girls’ 4A State Championship on Saturday, March 11, for the first time in the history of the school, and;
WHEREAS, The Kennewick girls’ team went undefeated for the season, and;
WHEREAS, The Kennewick Lions defeated Prairie High School 62-59 in the first overtime championship game since 1985, and;
WHEREAS, Freshman Leilani Mitchell showed that victory lies in perseverance as she drove in the tying basket with less than three seconds left in the game, and;
WHEREAS, Coach Debbie Roueche, who returned to her alma mater four years ago, took a team that was at the bottom of the league and produced a state championship team, and;
WHEREAS, Coach Roueche has shown Leilani Mitchell and her teammates Brandi Hardy, Chantelle Gunderson, Wendy Slagle, Autumn Fielding, Heidi Mensinger, Heather Thoelke, Emily Faurholt, Sara Johnson, Hailey Ruff and Julia Abersfeller that hard work can turn dreams into reality, and;
WHEREAS, Coach Roueche was supported in her extraordinary efforts by five outstanding assistant coaches: Jennifer Marquardt, Darlene Cramer, Tom Thoelke, Erika Eggers and Katy Shaw, and;
WHEREAS, The team was also supported by dedicated managers Tyler Marquardt and Becky MacKay;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the state of Washington, that the Kennewick High School Lions Girls’ Basketball Team be honored for their dedication and perseverance and for the pride that their achievement brings to their school and community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be given to Kennewick High School, to Coach Debbie Roueche and her coaching staff and team managers, and to each member of the Lady Lions’ Championship Team.
POINT OF INQUIRY
Senator Deccio: “I wonder if the floor leader of the majority party would respond to a question? Senator Betti Sheldon, I notice the message from Senator Snyder’s secretary or Senator Loveland’s secretary that there would be a car tab bill in Senator Snyder’s office. When will it be on the desk for those of us who would like to sign it?”
Senator Betti Sheldon: “It is available right now, Senator Deccio. It is in Senator Snyder’s office.”
Senator Deccio: “My question is when it is going to be on the bar, so that we can sign it?”
Senator Betti Sheldon: “It has to be dropped, doesn’t it? We’ll sign it and then we will drop it, just like any other bill.”
Senator Deccio: “We’ll have the opportunity to sign on after it is dropped?”
Senator Betti Sheldon: “Yes, absolutely.”
Senator Deccio: “Okay. Thank you.”
MOTION
On motion of Senator Gardner, the following resolution was adopted:
SENATE RESOLUTION 2000-8778
By Senators Gardner and Kohl-Welles
WHEREAS, On March 11, 2000, the Blaine Borderites Basketball Team, from Whatcom County, defeated the Wapato Wolves in overtime to score 60 points to Wapato’s 56, for their second straight Class 2A Boys’ State Championship Game at the Yakima SunDome; and
WHEREAS, Despite losing their first two games of the season, the Blaine Borderites pulled together as a team during a long and arduous journey to their second 2A Championship Title during their third straight championship game appearance; and
WHEREAS, Borderite Guard, Luke Ridnour, named tournament Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive year, lead Aaron Harmening, John Spencer, Keith Williams, Brad Scheib, Austin Broyan, Matt Jones, Ryan Pike, Brian Cedarquist, Jesse Riddle, Charlie Franklin, and Barry Stieb to their second 2A Championship Game; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Coach Rob Ridnour creates a family atmosphere by teaching his players the importance of committing to each other; and
WHEREAS, The team has incredibly devoted fans, more than one thousand of whom traveled to Yakima for the state championship; and
WHEREAS, With the guidance of Coach Rob Ridnour, the assistant coaches, and the Blaine High school principal and faculty, along with the support of the Blaine Student Body and its community, the Borderites Basketball Team will go down in history with pride in this accomplishment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate do hereby recognize and honor the talent of the Blaine Borderites Basketball Team, and the great sense of pride they have given the people of Blaine and its surrounding communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Blaine High School and to Rob Ridnour, coach of the Blaine Borderites Team.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Franklin, the following resolution was adopted:
SENATE RESOLUTION 2000-8777
By Senators Franklin and Kohl-Welles
WHEREAS, For the first time ever, the state’s 4-A boys’ basketball title, decided on Saturday, March 11, 2000, was an all Pierce County event, featuring the Foss Falcons and the Bethel Braves; and
WHEREAS, The Foss Falcons emerged from the struggle victorious, defeating Bethel by a score of 59-47; and
WHEREAS, The title won Saturday is the first state boys’ basketball championship ever won by the Falcons; and
WHEREAS, Foss’s new status as the state’s very best boys’ basketball team is also the first such title to be held by a Tacoma High School since 1975; and
WHEREAS, While the statistics may show that Foss outlasted Bethel by employing its powerful defense, what ultimately gave the Falcons the edge was the team effort, hard work, and a commitment to excellence exhibited by players and coaches all season long; and
WHEREAS, That commitment to excellence on the basketball court is an extension of the Foss commitment to academic excellence; and
WHEREAS, The basketball prowess displayed by Foss team members this year began to take shape for many of the players several years earlier when they played together as sixth- and seventh-graders at the Al Davies Boys & Girls Club; and
WHEREAS, Foss head coach John Ruby and his staff deserve tremendous credit for guiding this team, practice by practice, game by game, to the state championship and victory;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Washington State Senate do hereby acknowledge and honor the Foss High School Boys’ Basketball Team and coaches, who now stand as State 4-A Champions, for a remarkable season, which serves as an example to all Washingtonians of the rewards of hard work and a commitment to team effort; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Senate immediately transmit a copy of this resolution to Foss High School.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS
The President welcomed and introduced the Foss Falcons, the State 4-A boys’ champion basketball team and their coaches, who were seated in the gallery.
MOTION
Senator West moved that the Senate advance to the ninth order of business in order to relieve the Committee on Ways and Means of
Senate Bill No. 6129.
Debate ensued.
Senator Johnson demanded a roll call and the demand was sustained.
Further debate ensued.
DEMAND FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
Senators Betti Sheldon, Hargrove and Prentice demanded the previous question and the demand was sustained.
The President declared the question before the Senate to be shall the main question be now put.
The motion for the previous question carried on a rising vote.
The President declared the question before the Senate to be the motion by Senator West to advance to the ninth order of business in order to relieve the Committee on Ways and Means of Senate Bill No. 6129.
ROLL CALL
The Secretary called the roll and the motion by Senator West to advance to the ninth order of business failed by the following vote:
Yeas, 19; Nays, 27; Absent, 0; Excused, 3.
Voting yea: Senators Benton, Deccio, Hale, Hochstatter, Honeyford, Horn, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, McDonald, Morton, Roach, Rossi, Sheahan, Stevens, Swecker, West, Winsley and Zarelli - 19.
Voting nay: Senators Bauer, Brown, Costa, Eide, Fairley, Franklin, Fraser, Gardner, Goings, Hargrove, Haugen, Heavey, Jacobsen, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Loveland, McAuliffe, Patterson, Prentice, Rasmussen, Sheldon, B., Sheldon, T., Shin, Snyder, Spanel, Thibaudeau and Wojahn - 27.
Excused: Senators Finkbeiner, Oke and Sellar - 3.
MOTION
At 10:38 a.m., on motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 17, 2000.
BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate
TONY M. COOK, Secretary of the Senate