GOP Lawmakers look to a 'big change' in November

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Central Washington's all-Republican state legislative contingent was left lamenting another year of missed opportunities and stifled goals when the 2010 session ended earlier this month.

But its members believe the cavalry may be on its way this November. The nine representatives and senators from Washington's 13th, 14th and 15th districts, all of whom met with the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board Monday, expect this year's elections to drastically narrow the gap between Democrats and Republicans in Olympia.

"I don't expect a miracle in November, but I think there's going to be a big change," said state Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake.

Predictions among the nine -- contingent on independent voters in swing districts being as fed up with Democratic control in Olympia as they are -- have the GOP gaining six to nine seats in the state Senate and eight to 15 seats in the House. Republicans would need to gain seven in the Senate to have a majority and 13 in the House.

Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, citing reports he's heard from Republican campaign doorbellers in Puyallup, said the party's small-government message is resonating with moderates. Puyallup's 25th District already has one Republican representative, Bruce Dammeier. The GOP there is targeting a House Democrat, Rep. Dawn Morrell, whose vote in favor of this year's Democratic tax package could leave her vulnerable.

Voters in districts such as the 25th, unlike the solidly Republican districts here and the solidly Democratic districts in areas such as Seattle, may be weary enough of the seemingly annual budget crises to elect Republicans this year, said Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches.

"I don't think our message is going to have to change a whole lot," Ross said.

Tax increases on candy, bottled water, canned meat, tobacco and mass-produced beer are going to hit the average citizen hard, said Sen. Janéa Holmquist, R-Moses Lake.

"If they haven't woken up by this point, they'll wake up at the ballot," she said.

A change in power in Olympia, where Democrats hold majorities in both the House and Senate, would leave Republicans with the new problem of having to actually balance the state budget next year. With multibillion-dollar budget gaps again being predicted because of the weak economy and growing state expenses, they would be expected to make good on promises to balance the budget without significant tax increases.

There are efficiencies to be found -- state Auditor Brian Sonntag's office has identified $3.8 billion in unnecessary spending in its performance audits -- but balancing the budget likely would require challenging existing state labor contracts, the local lawmakers said Monday.

Such a move would take political will the Legislature has yet to display, but that could change under a Republican majority. Hinkle, for one, said he would not hesitate to wield political capital under those circumstances. The idea that the GOP should seek bipartisanship if it gains a majority offends him, because attempts to work with Democrats from the minority position have been repeatedly rebuffed, he said.

"That failed miserably," Hinkle said. "And I'm tired of seeing it."

* Pat Muir can be reached at 509-577-7693, or at pmuir@yakimaherald.com.