Top 10 bipartisan House bills killed in Rodney Tom's Senate
"What I am most proud of is the way we have been able to do these things while working in bipartisan manner and treating the minority in a way we would want to be treated if we were in the minority."
Sen. Rodney Tom, April 3, 2013
From the most popular to the most basic (and sometimes boring) legislation, Rodney Tom's Senate has been aggressive in blocking a wide range of bipartisan bills passed out of the House. Their actions stand in stark contrast to their self-aggrandizing rhetoric about bipartisanship. With a slim one-vote majority, Senate Republicans have handed far-right Senators Don Benton and Pam Roach a de-facto veto over any legislation.
The Reproductive Parity Act and the DREAM Act have received the most attention. However, many other bipartisan House bills also met their untimely demise in Rodney Tom's Senate. Here's our top 10 list of bills that received at least 60% support in the House and died in the Senate.
10. 2SHB 1017
Establishes minimum energy & water efficiency standards. Passed the House 59-38 with 7 Republican votes.
9. HB 1348
Providing additional compensation for academic employees at community and technical colleges. Passed the House 61-36 with 7 Republican votes.
8. SHB 1840
Requiring persons subject to no-contact orders, protection orders, and restraining orders to surrender their weapons. Supported by even the NRA, this bill passed the House 61-37 with 10 Republican votes.
7. EHB 1267
Extending the time period for voter registration. Passed the House 64-33 with 10 Republican votes.
6. ESHB 1947
Provides a financing mechanism to defray the Washington health benefit exchange's operating expenses. Passed the House 69-29 with 14 Republican votes.
5. HB 1817
The Washington DREAM Act - adding eligibility criteria for higher education financial aid. Passed the House 77-20 with 22 Republican votes.
4. SHB 1103
Requires the Secretary of State to to develop a uniform ballot format to be used by each county. Passed the House 77-20 with 23 Republican votes
3. 2SHB 1424
Enhancing the statewide K-12 dropout prevention, intervention, and reengagement system. Passed the House 88-10 with 33 Republican votes.
2. E2SHB 1302
Expands the eligibility criteria which may allow a youth to request extended foster care services. Passed the House 91-6 with 37 Republican votes.
1. 2SHB 1909
Encourages state agencies to award five percent of procurement contracts to veteran-owned businesses. This passed the House unanimously 97-0 with 42 Republican votes.
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