straight talk with Brendan Williams and Sam Hunt

The Olympian lets readers chat with two local legislators (Karen Fraser was slated to attend, but got sucked into the vortex of senatorial duty). My initial impression: both read on the screen just like they sound in person--good-humored, with barbs at their GOP opposition, pugnacious and fact-oriented. For a sample, watch how the two respond to Mr. Evergreen Freedom Foundation:

Kevin, Lacey: This shortened Legislature session saw more than 1,700 new bills introduced. Each new bill costs taxpayers an average $3,000 (wasted money in most cases). You have to know there is no possible way to get all these bills passed, nor would it be a good thing to have laws on the books for every conceivable problem under the sun. The majority of these petty bills take the focus away from the important issues our state faces, and puts it on protecting ducks, shopping carts, and restricting dishwater detergent. How can you justify this total lack of fiscal responsibility with our money?

Hunt: I guess somebody's restriction of dishwasher detergent may not be a major issue in his mind, but in Spokane it's a major issue because of the phosphorous in the water and they're facing major sanctions and fines if that's not addressed. Everybody's got a lot of good ideas, and the Legislature is like a funnel. A lot goes in the top and a little goes out the bottom. It's a self-selected process. My theory is that the uncertainty in the governor's race last year, people weren't sure who was going to be governor so they withheld some bills and are now introducing them this year now that things are settled.

Williams: And there's no empirical evidence for this precise amount. They're dividing the number of bills into the payroll of the departments. As an attorney, I write up most of my bills myself.

Hunt: And those staff are here whether we're putting bills out or not. That's an inflated number.

Williams: And we could apply that number to every frivolous amendment put forth by the GOP.