"State lawmakers skip drama, cut budget by millions"

Andrew Garber (Seattle Times):

Departing Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, voted against the reductions, arguing lawmakers should look to eliminate certain tax loopholes and giveaways to raise more money. Oemig lost to a Republican in the November election.

"Today, what this bill does, it's going to cut welfare for kids, for families," he said during the debate. "It's going to cut school funding. And it's not asking anyone else to sacrifice. That's just not right."
(SNIP)
"This is probably the easiest of all the decisions we're going to have to make as we move into January," said Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Zarelli voted for the cuts.

That's what has health-care, social-service and education advocates worried.

"There's a real fear out there that this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Sandeep Kaushik, a spokesman for a coalition of health-care and social-service advocates.

"The Legislature needs to take a balanced approach to this unprecedented situation," he said. "What I'm suggesting is that they also take a look at reforming tax exemptions and closing some of these worst tax exemptions." MORE...

"impeachment res. 8016- olympia, wa" (video)

1petergray2, video (09:57):

res. 8016 introduced by eric oemig in washington legislative hearings- 17 jan. 08

Howie P.S.: Pam Roach accuses the proponents of "partisanship" and displays a photograph of her son who is serving in the U.S. military. She says "what you are doing is a disgrace" and promises to file an ethics complaint against Sen. Oemig. Sen. Oemig responds and explains why he supports the legislation.

"HELP WASHINGTON STATE IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY"

David Swanson on AfterDowningStreet.org:

There is a growing chance that the WA state legislature will debate impeachment and the Iraq war. There's even a possible date: Thursday, April 19, 11 a.m.

The debate could even help move the Senate to actually vote on SJM 8016, Senator Eric Oemig's bill to petition the US House to investigate President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

We need to send out a flood of calls and emails to members of the Washington State Senate, asking them to move SJM 8016 to a vote. It is not enough for our Senators to say that they will vote "if SJM 8016 makes it to the floor." We must urge them to actively advocate for a vote, and to lobby their colleagues in favor of SJM 8016 as well. We need your help this week, to convince leadership to move SJM 8016 to a vote. Here is how you can help:

1. Email or call State Senate leadership today.
brown.lisa@leg.wa.gov
eide.tracey@leg.wa.gov
chopp.frank@leg.wa.gov
murray.edward@leg.wa.gov
spanel.harriet@leg.wa.gov
regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov
rockefeller.phil@leg.wa.gov

2. Contact Governor Christine Gregoire.
Ask her to support SJM 8016 by letting Democratic leadership know that she wants them to move SJM 8016 to a vote. Ask her kindly to honor her own oath of office and to use her influence now to restore rule of law in this country. We ask her to protect us from the abuses of the Bush Administration. Governor Gregoire has not received enough communication on this issue. Let Governor Gregoire know that opposition to SJM 8016 would show she does not vigorously support the US Constitution. We want a vote on SJM 8016 so we know where our legislators stand. Help us flood her office with calls and emails all week long:(360) 902-4111