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Republicans schedule listening sessions on initiatives, say Democrats blocked formal hearings
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Summary
House and Senate Republicans said they are hosting bipartisan listening sessions on ballot initiatives after Democratic leaders voted down motions to require committee hearings; Republicans listed invited supporters and opponents and provided session times and a webpage for participation.
Olympia — House and Senate Republican leaders said they are holding listening sessions on proposed ballot initiatives and framed the events as a way to give the public a forum after Democrats voted down motions to require committee hearings.
House Republican leader Drew Stokesberry said the caucus invited ‘‘every single member of the legislature from all 4 caucuses’’ and an equal number of speakers who support and oppose the initiatives. He listed organizations Republicans invited to the House listening session, including the Washington Education Association, the ACLU, Gender Justice League, Planned Parenthood, Northwest Progressive Institute, SEIU 775, Lavender Rights Project, Washington Youth Alliance, TeamChild, Washington State Democrats and Pro Choice Washington.
Sen. John Braun said Senate Republicans invited a similar cross-section. When asked whether invited groups had accepted, leaders said they did not yet have a full acceptance list; Deputy Leader Chris Corry was cited as the staff member who sent invitations.
Kim Wirtz, the Senate Republican communications director, provided logistics: the first listening session is at 4:30 p.m. in the 1st Floor Conference Room of INB, and the caucus posted a ‘‘Make your voice heard’’ button on its House Republican website for public input.
