On Monday, members of the House & Senate took their oaths of office. In the State Senate, as was expected, the Majority Coalition Caucus took control after a brief floor fight.
https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/290942408521310209
On Tuesday, Gov. Gregoire delivered the final State of the State address of her 8-year tenure.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee was sworn-in and delivered his inaugural address. In his speech, the new Governor noted the role UW and other public universities play in growing the economy.
.@GovInslee notes "Leading role our research institutions play in inventing the future, growing our economy, and creating jobs." #wagov
— UW Government & Community Relations (@UWGOV) January 16, 2013
At a press availability later in the day, Gov. Inslee further noted that he did not believe extending certain taxes would break his no-new taxes campaign pledge:
Inslee says "Huskies and Cougars" can all agree that extending temporary taxes would not be a tax increase. #waleg
— Jim Brunner (@Jim_Brunner) January 17, 2013
Also on Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee held a Work Session, with public four-year institutions presenting. Watch the proceedings on TVW, and be sure to catch UW State Relations’ presentation here.
On Thursday, the Senate Higher Education Committee met for the first time with Sen. Barbara Bailey (R-Whidbey Island) at the helm as Chair. On the docket: An update on the state budget, overview of the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program & recommendations from the Legislative Advisory Committee to the GET Committee, and overview of the State Need Grant & College Bound Scholarship Program. Watch the proceedings on TVW.
Also on Thursday, Nathan Schlicher (J.D. ’02, M.D., ’06) was appointed by county commissioners in the 26th Legislative District to fill the State Senate Seat left vacant by now Congressman Derek Kilmer.
Schlicher has a majority. Republican Dan Roach puts him over the top. #waleg
— Jordan Schrader (@Jordan_Schrader) January 17, 2013
Today, the Senate Law & Justice Committee held a work session and hearing on alcohol-related issues on college campuses.
For more Olympia-related news, tune in to TVW’s Inside Olympia segment. Host Austin Jenkins interviews State Senators Andy Hill (R-Redmond), Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam), and Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island).
At 7 &10 tonight on TVW: @AustinJenkinsN3 interviews Senators Andy Hill, Steve Litzow, Jim Hargrove, Sharon Nelson pic.twitter.com/0rIonBUT
— TVW (@TVWnews) January 18, 2013