Politics GOP demand for 39-page bill to be read aloud derails Democratic legislation in WA Senate

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The end of the day Tuesday did not go as planned for Democrats in the Washington state Senate.

They’d lined up bills for final floor votes ahead of a 5 p.m. procedural deadline to pass legislation out of the chamber.

But when one of the final pieces of legislation came up, Republican Floor Leader Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, demanded it be read in full by the Senate secretary.

That proposal — Senate Bill 5466 — is designed to support the buildout of electrical transmission line infrastructure in the state. It’s 39 pages and not exactly light reading. The legislation is a priority for clean energy advocates who want to see wind and solar facilities hooked up to the grid.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/18/gop-demand-for-39-page-bill-to-be-read-aloud-derails-democratic-legislation-in-wa-senate/

I guess Republicans hate clean energy.

[dutch777]

1. Dems should have anticipated that. Ms. Short probably has a hydro dam or two in her district. They really....

...don't want the competition of solar and wind unless they control (make $$$ off of) it. WA is an interesting power state where PUDs-- Public Utility Districts --while mandated to work for the public good and generally do so, are none the less in fact businesses. Not all of them in WA have their own hydroelectric dams but many do, some several, so they get political around issues like this. The Grand Coulee Dam is just over the hill from Addy, WA.

[tirebiter]

2. So read it then go on. Make sure the procedure moves on. Clear the path in whatever way needs be done.