Joel Connelly on Occupy Olympia

Protesters, including Regan Bailey, center left, and Heather McKimmie, center right, both of Seattle, demonstrate against budget cuts outside the capitol in Olympia on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, on the first day of a special session of the Washington state Legislature.Photo: AP, Ted S. Warren / AP

Joel Connelly (SeattlePI.com):

The Legislature ought to be putting on the ballot a proposal to close tax loopholes enjoyed by out-of-state banks, or perhaps a modest per-barrel tax on oil companies to restore cuts in cleanup and conservation programs.

Still, sometimes, you take what you can get and come back later for more. The approach has worked -- to near perfection -- in establishing and expanding rights for same-sex couples. Marriage equality is a distinct possibility in next year's regular session of the Legislature.
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