Christine Rolfes joins Rockefeller and Appleton as session opens in Olympia.
OLYMPIA – Christine Rolfes looked far from home when she stood before the 98-member Washington State House of Representatives on the opening day of the 2007 legislative session.
She held her hands tightly linked as her new colleagues applauded the freshman lawmaker.
Tasked with the ceremonial honor of notifying the governor that the House had concluded the day’s proceedings, Rolfes stepped down the center isle under white columns and chandeliered light and made her way to the chamber exit.
Representatives from Tulalip, Spokane, south Seattle and Gig Harbor gave her friendly nods as she passed, while two young delegates from Bainbridge reminded Rolfes where she’s from.
“My kids in the gallery were crying as I left,” the Bainbridge Democrat said during a break from meetings Monday. “I had to look up to see if they were bothering anybody.”
It takes more than the cries of two children to stall a government revving up for a session fueled by a bolstered Democratic majority.
Rolfes’ party won lopsided majorities in both chambers during the November election, earning a 32-17 lead in the Senate and a 62-36 edge in the House.
With Chris Gregoire entering her third year as governor, Democrats are promising dramatic spending increases for education and health care funded by $30 billion in projected state revenue and a nearly $2 billion surplus.
Rolfes, a two-term City of Bainbridge Island councilwoman, unseated Kingston Republican Beverly Woods in November as part the “blue wave” that swept Democrats onto the decks of power and made castaways of many Republicans.
Ferry funding and the cleanup of Puget Sound top Rolfes’ agenda, and that of her 23rd Legislative District colleagues, Rep. Sherry Appleton and Sen. Phil Rockefeller.
Rolfes was named vice chair of the new House Select Committee on Puget Sound, which will focus on a proposed $220 spending initiative to restore marine habitat, reduce stormwater runoff and clean up septic pollution in the Sound.
Appleton and Rockefeller, who helped craft the restoration initiative, pledged to do their part to usher the plan through the legislature.
“I’m going to work hard and do everything I can to get that in place,” said Appleton, a Poulsbo Democrat. “It’s critical that we save Puget Sound and not let things get worse.”
According to Rockefeller, now serving his third year in the Senate, Puget Sound recovery is “the most significant issue” of the 2007 session.
Well-positioned as vice chair of two Senate committees dealing with water and natural resources, Rockefeller is looking to work closely with his district counterparts.
“We’ve got a really great team from Kitsap with an opportunity to work on a wide range of Puget Sound recovery efforts,” he said Monday in his newly-refurbished and expanded Senate office.
Appleton and Rolfes said the issue of depleted oxygen in Hood Canal is a key concern, while Rockefeller promised to work on banning toxic flame retardants that can leach into waterways and cause neurological disorders in humans and wildlife.
Appleton said she would have preferred much more money in ‘07 for Sound clean-up, but commended the governor’s decision to channel the long-term initiative toward research in the first year.
“I’d prefer to attack this from the beginning,” she said. “But the governor decided to identify the problems first and she’s probably right.”
Rockefeller said the millions spent in the analysis will lend credence to the billions needed for future clean-up.
“Puget Sound is not a healthy body of water,” he said. “We need to show that. Then we’ll have a better chance when we go to the public and tell them how much it will take to clean it up.”
Ferry funds
Rolfes and Appleton, who were both named to the House Transportation Committee, said they’ll join forces on ferry issues.
“A major issue for me is the long-term financial sustainability of the ferry system,” Rolfes said.
The state faces a $1.6 billion shortfall for highway, bridge and ferry capital projects, including Bainbridge ferry terminal improvements. The governor wants to borrow $1.1 billion to help close the gap while postponing some construction plans.
Rolfes aims to make sure ferries get a fair share of state funds, especially, she said, to slow the growth of passenger fares.
“I want to look at increasing state dollars into the ferry system and…the whole link with ticket prices.”
Appleton said the ferry system should get a larger portion of the state gas tax. At 34 cents per gallon, much of the money is funneled to highway projects with only a half cent trickling down to Washington State Ferries, according to Appleton.
“It’ll be contentious and controversial, but I want to bring that half cent to one cent,” she said. “That’ll give $32 million more and give people riding the ferries some redress.”
Appleton isn’t worried about what will get the ax if ferries get a bigger share of the gas tax to offset a 62 percent fare increase since 2001.
“I’m not so concerned where they’ll make that up,” she said. “Some forget that the ferry system is a highway, although it’s a marine highway. It should get more of that highway money because people who take ferries have taken it on the chin for too long.”
Appleton officially presented her ferry fare reduction bill on Thursday with Rolfes co-signing.
Also in the first week of the session, Appleton sponsored bills to increase rules regulating “payday” lenders, limiting the payment of initiative signature gatherers and a measure specifically crafted to allow Bainbridge Island to control its own growth.
“Island cities, like Bainbridge, have limited water resources,” she said. “They should have the option not to build-out so they don’t run out of water.”
Rockefeller has crafted three education-related bills that would boost school bus funding, increase the availability of state scholarships and improve planning for school safety.
He also this week submitted a bill proposal to bolster a lower vehicle emissions law he initiated last year by removing a provision that requires Oregon to maintain a similar law.
Also in the works for Rockefeller is a measure to power state government with renewable energy sources.
“I want the state to use 100 percent ‘green’ power,” he said. “Why shouldn’t the state set an example?”
The proposal could set in motion the use of the sun or wind to power everything from the lights in the Capitol dome to the lamp on Rockefeller’s desk. It could also include the use of biofuels for the state’s auto fleet, he said.
“This will stimulate demand for alternative power in the market place,” he added.
Rolfes is so far easing into her role, proposing two minor bills this week on the authorization of state infrastructure projects and the revision of contracts with economic development organizations. She has added her name as a co-signer to 21 other bills as of Friday.
As with any freshman, Rolfes is still learning where and when to turn in her work, where to grab a quick lunch and how to find the the rooms listed on her busy daily schedule.
“It’s pretty exciting down here,” she said. “I spent three days in classes learning about bill-making and other processes with all the other freshmen. I’ll be coming back to Bainbridge a lot, but I also found a room to rent down here so I can crash on the late nights.”
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Dear Olympia:
Contact information for the 23rd District delegation:
• Sen. Phil Rockefeller (Democrat, Bainbridge Island). Committees: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (vice chair); Water, Energy & Telecomunications (vice chair); Ways & Means. (360) 786-7644, or rockefeller.phil@leg.wa.gov
• Rep. Sherry Appleton (Democrat, Poulsbo). Committees: State Government & Tribal Affairs (vice chair); Early Learning & Children’s Services; Transportation. (360) 786-7934 or appleton.sherry@leg.wa.gov
• Rep. Christine Rolfes (Democrat, Bainbridge Island). Committees: Select Committee on Puget Sounc (vice chair); Community, Economic Development & Trade; Transportation. (360) 786-7842 or rolfes.christine@leg.wa.gov
