Tensions arise after firing of DOT secretary

OLYMPIA – The firing of Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson Friday has sparked combative language between Republicans and Democrats in the Washington Legislature.

The decision not to confirm Peterson in the Senate was led by the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC), which is led by Republicans and controls the Senate.

Gov. Jay Inslee condemned the action made during a floor debate Friday afternoon. “Senate Republicans are conducting a dishonest, partisan, and frankly scurrilous political campaign,” said Inslee during a media availability event Monday.

He called for more open communication, stating that senators could have discussed concerns with Peterson first. Democrats have said no one reached out to Peterson before she was fired on the Senate floor. The governor said Republicans should have contacted his office first, and given Peterson a chance either to resign or to fight their claims.

“We need solutions not scapegoats,” Inslee said. Later he added: “The Senate Republicans are out of control at this moment, and they need to pull out of this dive and help us finds solutions to our challenges.”

The Senate Republicans said their decision was not politically motivated, but based on recent problems within the department. Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-Tacoma, said at a press conference Monday it was the unanimous view of the MCC that they did not have confidence in Peterson, and a change needed to be made.

Sen. Mark Miloscia, R-Federal Way, said the action should not have come as a surprise.

“I don’t think it was any secret that many people were dissatisfied by the recent activities that has affected transportation and people’s views of [the Department of Transportation],” Miloscia said.

Miloscia is part of the Transportation Committee that unanimously voted to confirm Peterson in June. He said he voted yes because at the time he was new to the Senate and did not have enough information about her and the quality of her leadership.

Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said the decision was also made as a statement.

“I think there was a factor of sending a message here that the Senate is a coequal branch of government, and sometimes you need to take decisive action,” he said.

House Democrats responded to Peterson’s firing by saying they want to continue to focus on issues such as education, homelessness, voting rights, and equal pay.

House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, said at another media availability Monday, “Obviously, there’s a distraction over in the Senate, they appear to be focused on other things.”

Senate Democratic Leader Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island, said Democrats in the Senate would also rather focus on different issues. Nelson also condemned the way Republicans fired Peterson.

“The dramatic way they did it certainly does not help state government,” she said. “We would rather go ahead and move forward on education and other issues; for them it seems to be everything but education.”

Asked if recent combative language would hinder future progress, Nelson said, “Well I’m hoping from my team that we can just take a deep breath and realize what we need to do is continue to our work with the citizens of the state.”