Unicameral Update: So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye!

Sixty legislative days, 107 priority bills, and 167 bills presented to Governor Pillen.  Not bad for a short session.  Out of the 107 priority bills, 98 were debated by the legislature, and 88 of them passed.  Included in the 167 bills presented to the governor, there were an additional 174 bills added as part of a committee or floor amendment (can you say Christmas Tree?). Governor Pillen vetoed five bills and let another become law without his signature. 

Today, after four failed veto override attempts and an end of session speech from Governor Pillen, 12 departing senators gave their farewell speeches. It is always interesting to listen to them reflect on their service in the Unicameral. Always thankful for staff and support they receive from their families, senators share varying views on our unique unicameral system.  This year, Ben Hansen, said that it may be time to revisit a two-house system.  Fred Meyer said his least favorite thing was the noise in the Rotunda when it was full. These comments stuck out to me as telling commentary on our legislative institution. Would a two-house system bring a more just process?  Would a quiet Rotunda allow senators to get the “people’s” work done more efficiently, or just with less involvement from the people?  But, I digress. 

Short sessions always feel like a sprint with hurdles.  The Legislature tripped over a few hurdles, but still got a lot done in a short amount of time.  Speaker Arch did a masterful job of herding the cats and managing the clock.  Arch, Senator Hansen, Senator Clements, Senator Murman, Senator Brandt, and Senator Moser all leave leadership roles that will have to be filled next year.  Certain senators are already lobbying their colleagues for some of those positions. 

Roles that will be harder to fill will be the retirement of two long-time staff members; Carol Koranda from the Clerks office and Marcia McClurg, the Revisor of Statutes.  Carol started working in the Clerks office the same year I started working for Walt. Carol was the backbone of the Clerk’s office, especially after Patrick O’Donnell retired in 2023, and is one of the most kind, professional, gracious and truly extraordinary people I have ever known. I don’t know how she managed to always stay positive and deal with such a diverse group of personalities!  I will miss her dearly.  Marcia McClurg had one of the hardest jobs in the Legislature.  Taking ideas as notes jotted on scrap paper and turning them into legislative bills, or helping senators, staff and us pesky lobbyists make sense of all that goes into drafting legislation was her superpower.  Her expertise will be missed. 

I’m still reviewing all of the bills and amendments to finalize your tracking reports so that we can complete our annual Accountability and Disclosure reports.  As soon as I get through those, I’ll review interim studies and bring you up to date.   

Have a great weekend!

Korby M. Gilbertson
Radcliffe Gilbertson & Brady