Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, wasted little time in trying to work the Massachusetts Senate race into Washington political discourse.

In the debate over a bill to sell some $860 million in bonds to refurbish schools around the state, Erickson questioned the cost of the bill and the projections for how many jobs it would actually create. If spending money on capital projects is good for jobs, he added, why did the Legislature take money out of the capital budget last year to spend on general fund programs, he added.

"The people spoke out in Massachusetts yesterday," Ericksen said."They're saying 'Show you're work.'"

HB 2561 passed, however, 57-41, with several Democrats including Alex Wood and John Driscoll of Spokane, voting with Republicans who largely voted no.