Today's House Hot List

10:00 a.m. in Ecology & Parks
Work Session: Climate Solutions "Carbon Free Prosperity 2025" Report.

10:00 a.m. in Education
Work Session: Introduction of Randy Dorn, newly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction

New tool to prevent DUI-related deaths takes effect

Rep. Roger Goodman recently held a press conference with the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Licensing to announce the release of the ignition interlock license -- putting alcohol-detecting devices in the cars of people who have driven drunk.


Estimating with results in Arizona, around 100 lives could be saved this year alone.

“We already know that we can't trust known drunk drivers to obey the law," Goodman said, "so while we'll still be tough on them we're also going to be smart by using innovative technology, and this new approach should save countless lives.”

Here an ignition interlock device manufacturer demonstrates the process:


And here is the full press release from the WSP on the event for more information:
STATE’S NEW INTERLOCK LAW GOES INTO EFFECT JAN. 1

Speaker Chopp to House members: “let's keep our eyes on the horizon”

Representative Frank Chopp was re-elected Speaker of the Washington State House this afternoon. In his acceptance speech, Chopp paid respects to his old friend, Rep. Bill Grant, who passed away last week. Acknowledging the sadness that hung over the legislature, he urged his fellow members to remember Grant’s commitment to “One Washington”: a philosophy “that looks at the needs all across the state, works to unify our people, and to move everyone in Washington forward.”

He also reminded them that while the economic situation in our state is very serious, we must keep focused on the future.

“We have to be very careful this year not to let a budget problem rob us of our vision and values,” he said. “We can choose to react to this economic downturn by shrinking our hopes for our state, or we can keep our eyes on the horizon and direct our attention and resources to what is truly important.”

For full text: Text of Speaker Chopp's acceptance speech

Photos from Opening Day 2009

Please to enjoy... Photos from in, on, and around the House Floor, Opening Day 2009.

New House Democrats are attending their first caucus meeting

The eight newly-elected Democrats are currently attending their first official caucus meeting. Both House caucuses generally meet for two hours three times a week, although that schedule changes as the session progresses.

Reuven Carlyle (Seattle), John Driscoll (Spokane), Fred Finn (Olympia), Jim Jacks (Vancouver), Marcie Maxwell (Renton), Tina Orwall (Normandy Park), Tim Probst (Vancouver), and Scott White (Seattle), will be sworn in on the floor of the House during ceremonies that start at noon today.

The Speaker Speaks

Speaker of the House Frank Chopp will give his opening day speech at Noon today.

While the opening day is usually a sort of homecoming after a long interim, and filled with anticipation and excitement, Speaker Chopp will take a moment to remember those recent members of the House whom we lost this year, including the beloved Bill Grant.

Chopp will also lay out a clear vision for the 2009 session, and emphasize his hope that bold ideas can still spring from even hard economic times; indeed, that's when they are needed most.

Here's a small quote from the Speaker's speech to tide you over until then:

"We have to be very careful this year not to let a budget problem rob us of our vision and values.

As Thoreau said: 'In the long run, men hit only what they aim at.'

"We can choose to react to this economic downturn by shrinking our hopes for our state, or we can keep our eyes on the horizon and direct our attention and resources to what is truly important."

We’ll be providing commentary and pics throughout the day here and via our twitter feed at twitter.com/hdccomm. So check back early and often.

Today's House Hot List

As we mentioned last Friday, we'll do a weekly and daily preview of interesting legislative activities to keep an eye on.

If you're not in Olympia to watch these things live (and we're guessing that's probably the case), tune in to TVW or go to tvw.org and you can either watch or listen to almost any official meeting and hearing.

Without further adieu, today's "Hot List."

Noon in House Chambers
Opening ceremonies and remarks by House Speaker Frank Chopp

1:30 in Community & Economic Development & Trade
Work Session: Washington Grows: A manufacturing industry strategy for cultivating a recession-proof economy

1:30 in Technology, Energy & Communications
Work Session: State efforts to increase the use of biofuels and alternative fuels

3:30 in Ways & Means
Public hearing on Governor’s 2009 supplemental budget proposal