Inslee, Ferguson in spotlight as Washington fights Trump travel ban

Taking on a president and winning, as Washington state officials did with their lawsuit over travel ban, definitely raises one’s political profile.

Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson were both the subject of extensive national media coverage after the ban was put on hold by a federal judge in Seattle, and that order was upheld by a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

They were interviewed extensively on cable news shows, quoted extensively in the Washington Post and New York Times. This kind of profile raising comes at a time when Democrats are either floundering or regrouping – your choice of verb probably tells something about your party affiliation – to find new leaders on a national basis.

There even was some speculation about Inslee making his way to the national stage in 2020 if Democrats want to highlight a more progressive, environmental agenda. Washington Republicans seem divided on this, between those who say it’s so improbable it makes them laugh and those who say it’s so impossible it makes them salivate.

The 2020 national elections are so far away that it seems silly to speculate, but the 2020 state elections, while just as distant chronologically, have a different variable. Inslee would be finishing his second term, and no governor has served more than two terms since the 1970s.

So Democrats are looking at their Triple-A team, and Ferguson seems to be in line for a call-up to the bigs. He’s shown an ability to swing for the fences and connect.

And even though pitchers and catchers will soon report to their teams, that’s probably enough baseball references for now.

In memoriam

One of the most moving events during any legislative session is the service for former members who have died since the last time the Legislature met.

Clerics of a variety of religious faiths offer prayers, then the lights in the Senate chamber are turned down. A photo of each lawmaker who has died is projected on the wall, a bell is rung and a current member lights a candle in one of a series of holders on the desk at the front of the chamber.

The Spokane area had three legislators remembered in this year’s service on Wednesday: Sen. Margaret Hurley, Sen. Bob Morton and Rep. Duane Sommers.

Union made

The number of Americans who are part of a labor union may be declining – around Labor Day each year some business publication waxes on about the death of organized labor – but you wouldn’t have known it by a Senate hearing last Wednesday.

The Commerce, Labor and Sports Committee had a hearing on a proposal by Spokane Republican Mike Baumgartner to turn Washington into a “right to work” state. Such laws basically say that a person can’t be required to join a union and pay dues as a condition of employment. Baumgartner’s bill included government employees as well as those in the private sector.

Unions generally refer to these bills as “the right to work for less” laws. They have been passed in many states, including Idaho, but not yet in a state where unions were once so strong that it was referred to as “the soviet of Washington.”

Those days may be gone, but unions managed to flex their muscles on Wednesday, packing the main hearing room and spilling into an overflow room. Many were building trades workers, who came wearing their hard hats. That prompted someone to post a sign on the door advising “No hats in the hearing room.”

Can’t remember another time such a sign has been posted, or security requiring other spectators to doff the various ball caps that are sometimes worn.

Testimony was overwhelmingly against the bill. It has until Friday to get a vote in the committee.

Customer beware and be careful

If you are thinking of getting your Valentine something to eat from one of Washington’s recreational marijuana establishments – not saying you should, just acknowledging some people might – be sure it is properly marked.

Feb. 14 is the date that all edible marijuana products in Washington must carry the new warning on their packaging.

It’s not a green “Mr. Yuck” symbol that some poisonous household substances carry. It’s a red hand, held up like a someone signaling stop, with “Not For Kids” next to it and the toll-free number for emergency help in case that doesn’t dissuade a youngster.