Senate confirms multiple gubernatorial appointees and adopts transportation budget
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Summary
On March 12 the Washington State Senate confirmed several gubernatorial appointments to college and professional boards by roll call and adopted the conference committee report and final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, a six-year transportation package described on the floor as a $1.5 billion investment in preservation and safety.
The Washington State Senate on March 12 confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointments and adopted the conference committee report and final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the six-year transportation budget proposal.
Senator Nobles moved confirmation of several appointments transmitted by the governor. The Senate confirmed Robert Malde (senate appointment 9070) to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees; Lisa Graceffo (9171) to the same board; Stephanie J. Barton (9091) to the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission; Huey Yu (9094) to the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission; and Robert DeCoteau (9075) to the Bellingham Technical College Board of Trustees. Those confirmations were completed by roll calls in which the presiding officer and secretary reported the required majorities.
The chamber then considered the conference committee report on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005. Senator Lias, presenting the report, described it as a bipartisan, balanced six-year transportation budget that makes "a historic investment in maintenance and preservation," and said the plan would invest $1,500,000,000 across the next six years in Washington's transportation system. Lias said nonpartisan staff estimate the proposal could create up to 30,000 jobs statewide related to repairs and preservation.
Supporters highlighted investments in road and bridge preservation, terminal electrification for hybrid ferries, measures to address flooding impacts, and programmatic grants including Reconnecting Communities. Senators praised provisions aimed at safety and at increasing State Patrol staffing; one senator noted additional focus on equitable service delivery for non-English speakers.
The Senate adopted the conference committee report and then voted on final passage of Engrossed Substitute SB 6005. The secretary announced a constitutional majority; the roll call for final passage produced 49 yeas, 0 nays and the bill was adopted.
Votes at a glance: - Senate gubernatorial appointment 9070 (Robert Malde) — confirmed (roll-call; reported majority). - Senate gubernatorial appointment 9171 (Lisa Graceffo) — confirmed (roll-call; reported majority). - Senate gubernatorial appointment 9091 (Stephanie J. Barton) — confirmed (roll-call; reported majority). - Senate gubernatorial appointment 9094 (Huey Yu) — confirmed (roll-call; reported majority). - Senate gubernatorial appointment 9075 (Robert DeCoteau) — confirmed (roll-call; reported majority). - Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005 (conference committee report) — adopted; final passage recorded as 49 yea, 0 nay.