Larry Walker, Government Relations Specialist with the Washington Road Riders Association, provides this update on ESB1615 (the traffic light bill):

We absolutely, positively, money back guarantee, may get a hearing on ESB 1625. After two weeks of dedicated lobbying (weaseling and cajoling, with just the right amount of butt kissing) that is the promise that I got from Sen. Haugen Monday morning. Believe it or not, that is good news. Sen. Haugen is none too pleased that the polluted bill is the one that the house sent over. I did give her my assurances, verified by Rep. Clibborn, that the reason for ESB 1625 being sent over was for expediency. This kept the issue out of yet another committee fight where Geoff Simpson could cause even more trouble. We actually owe her a debt of gratitude.

I honestly believe that Sen. Haugen is considering having staff draft up an amendment to strike all of the language of ESB 1625 and replace it with the complete language of SB 6643. Now it is time to drive the deal home. Everyone needs to contact their senator and ask that they let Sen. Haugen know that their constituents want her to give ESB 1625 a hearing, clean the language up, and move it out of the committee. You should call, you should get your friends to call, you need to get everyone at the local motorcycle shop to call. The switchboards need to light up with loads of traffic supporting this issue. It is time for us to become that proverbial squeaky wheel. You know; the one that will not go away until it gets attended to.

To find your senators go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx , of simply call the legislative hot line at 1-800-562-6000.

Here is the membership of Senate Transportation. If your senator is on this committee, it is even more important (if that is possible) that you call their office.

Mary Margaret Haugen – Chair (D)
Chris Marr – Vice Chair (D)
Ed Murray – Vice Chair (D)
Dan Swecker – Ranking Minority Member (R)
Don Benton (R)
Jean Berkey (D)
Jerome Delvin (R)
Tracey Eide (D)
Janéa Holmquist (R)
Ken Jacobsen (D)
Jim Kastama (D)
Claudia Kauffman (D)
Derek Kilmer (D)
Curtis King (R)
Cheryl Pflug (R)
Tim Sheldon (D)
Harriet Spanel (D)

Here are the co sponsors for Senator Sheldon’s SB 6643.

Jacobsen (D 46)                  McAuliffe (D 1)                      Shin (D 21)

Stevens (R 39)                    Hatfield (D 19)                      Roach (R 31)

Benton (R 17)                      Kline (D 37)                          Rockefeller (D 23)

Delvin (R