Local legislator proposes limiting legislative session duration, focus

FERNDALE, Wash. — A local legislator is proposing to make the state legislative session in Olympia a 30-day special session with a singular focus.

42nd District Republican Senator Doug Ericksen of Ferndale has introduced a bill that would limit the upcoming session’s duration and focused almost solely on COVID recovery.

Ericksen says this would divert focus from what he calls the most radical agenda in history from the majority Democratic party.

Instead, he’s recommending a singular focus: dealing with COVID, getting kids back to school, start getting businesses open and addressing people who have been harmed by the pandemic.

Senate concurrent resolution 8400 would also prevent consideration of an income tax.

Senate Bill 5096, pre-filed and sponsored by Senator June Robinson of Everett, would impose a so-called excise tax on capital gains and is scheduled for public hearing next Thursday at 4pm.