Final victory is near on WPC's Local Choice/ Local Option bill—allowing local towns and counties to create their own programs of public financing for campaigns for local office.

On Wednesday, February 13th, the State Senate approved ESSB 5278— the Senate version of the bill. The final vote was 29-20, after turning down two opposition amendments. SEE DETAILS

Previously on January 25th, the House approved EHB 1551—the House version. After a record-setting 40 minutes of debate, the vote was 56-38 in favor. SEE DETAILS of the bill and how your legislator voted.

The language of 1551 and 5278 is exactly the same—no reconciliation of language is necessary. But the legislative process requires each chamber to approve an agreed-upon final bill. So now we need the House to concur with the Senate's bill (sponsor and bill number), so it can move to the governor for signature and become law.

Tell your legislators in the House: Please approve Local Option in a vote, concurring with the Senate bill, ESSB 5278! Get it done!

Overall, we want approval of Local Choice/Local Option, this year!
The bill is NOT a mandate—only permission. No state funds are involved. And, any local program must be approved in a referendum to local voters.

DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS on this victory

In the Senate—Sponsors/co-sponsors of SB 5278, January 2007:
Senators: McAuliffe (D-1) • Rasmussen (D-2) • Fraser (D-22)
Rockefeller (D-23) • Kastama (D-25) • Regala (D-27) • Franklin (D-29)
Keiser (D-33) • Poulsen (now resigned, was D-34) • Kohl-Wells (D-36)
Kline (D-37) Spanel (D-40) • Pridemore (D-49)

Additional support pledged for 2008 legislative session in the Senate:
Marr (D-6) • Kilmer (D- 26) • McDermott (D-34) • Weinstein (D- 41)
Murray (D-43) • Oemig (D-45) • Jacobsen (D- 46) • Tom (D-48)

In the House—Sponsors/co-sponsors of HB 1551, January 2007:
Representatives: O'Brien (D-1) • Ormsby (D-3) • Hasegawa (D-11)
Wood (D-3) • Roberts (D-21) • Hunt (D-22) • Appleton (D-23)
Rolfes (D-23) • Green (D-28) • Miloscia (D-30) • Chase (D-32)
Kagi (D-32) Schaul-Berke (D-33) • McDermott (D-34, now in Senate)
Cody (D-34) • Sells (D-38) • Pedersen (D-43) • Dunshee (D-44)
McIntire (D-46) Fromhold (D-49) • Moeller (D-49)

Additional support pledged for 2008 legislative session in the House:
Liias (D- 22) • Sommers (D- 36) • Dickerson (D-36) • Clibborn (D-41)
Jarrett (D- 41) • Linville (D-42) • Loomis (D- 44) • Goodman (D- 45) Springer (D- 45) • Hunter (D- 48) • Simpson (D-47) • Eddy (D-48)

To see who were sponsors/co-sponsors of other bills in 2007, one to establish public funding of upper-level judicial campaigns, and one for comprehensive public financing of all statewide and legislative campaigns, CLICK HERE.