Coastal Senators Obtain Local Representation, Overcoming Governor Gregoire's Veto

State Senator Rankor (D - Orcas), Senator Hatfield (D - Raymond) and Senator Hargrove (D - Hoquiam) were able overcome Governor Gregroire's veto of a portion of Senate Bill 6263 which would have minimized local representation on coastal marine planning.   The Governor felt a staff representative from her office would have been good enough (click here for Chinook Observor article).  The Senators were able to create a legislative budget proviso which now directs agencies to consult with the local marine resource committees, ensuring local representation in guiding marine spatial planning (click to read Daily World article) .  How DNR (the lead agency), Ecology, WDFW and the various local councils will coordinate and allocate $2.1 million will remain to be seen.