Gov. Inslee Could Potentially Push for Special Legislative Session for Priority Bills

Legislation with weighty impact, such as the cap and trade climate bill, is moving through the legislature, but still might not land at the finish line by the end of the session. Some legislators, such as 12th District Senator Brad Hawkins, speculate Governor Jay Inslee may call for a special session for priority bills like the cap and trade legislation.

"That is the rumor mill in Olympia. These have been pent up policy priorities of Governor Inslee for so long," said Senator Hawkins. "Frankly, Governor Inslee has failed to deliver on his priorities. He's tried these before for a number of years."

Governor Inslee has previously attempted to push a carbon tax initiative, however it failed. The climate focused legislation, the cap and trade bill, has passed out of the Senate and is in the House of Representatives with a limited amount of time left in the session.

"I think he feels very strongly that something on climate, greenhouse gas emissions has to get across the finish line," said Hawkins. "If they get really close and they run out of time...Governor Inslee might just keep it going and immediately call a special session to get some of these big priorities across the finish line."