March 12, 2010

Gorge kill bill still alive

Legislators get more time on gorge funding

By Rodger Nichols
The Chronicle

     A bill to kill the Columbia Gorge Compact and thus the Columbia River Gorge Commission is still alive in the Washington State legislature today, despite the mandated end of the regular session.
     Governor Christine Gregoire immediately called for a week-long special session to start Monday. That’s because the state’s House and Senate are still $200 million apart on how to plug a $2.8 billion funding shortfall to balance the state’s budget.
     Legislators might use the modest savings from eliminating gorge commission funding as part of that plug. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 3132, which passed the House March 4 by a 92 to 6 margin, has been locked up in the Senate Ways and Means Committee since Saturday. Yesterday, senators moved the bill out of Ways and Means and into the Senate Rules Committee for a third reading.
     Though Gregoire called for a single-week special session, lawmakers could choose to extend it for up to 30 days, leaving those potentially affected by ESHB 3132 in fiscal limbo until final adjournment.