As the 2012 supplemental operating budget negotiations froze nearing adjournment of the 2012 session, the Washington State legislature did reach agreement on a different major spending plan on March 8: the transportation budget.
Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27th, Tacoma) couldn’t help but notice a uniquely personal connection as she testified before her peers in support of the Marriage Equality Act on Monday.
“I know, obviously, this whole thing doesn’t revolve around us, but it was just kind of serendipitous that this hearing happened on our 23rd anniversary,” said Jinkins, the House’s only openly lesbian member. “It’s very powerful to sit and listen to my partner talk about our history and what it’s like for her and to see how proud our son is and how excited he is about the possibility of us being able to marry.”
Jinkins, who sat on a panel with her partner Laura Wulf and their 11-year old son Wulf Jinkins, said she was pleased with the House Committee on Judiciary’s recommendation for the passage of ESSB 6239.
Twice a week Meagan Buckmaster-Ross covers the basement floor of her studio at Orange Blossom Society with cloth and paper to create a barrier against the debris splattered by her sensory art students. She then leads youngsters ages 1 to 3 on epic journeys through their five senses using anything from paint and paper to pumpkin guts and goo.
