The Senate blamed the House. The House blamed the 49-49 tie in that chamber and said the Senate wasn't any great shakes, either. They did send Locke a bill Thursday to streamline the environmental permit process for road projects. The Senate also approved a stripped-down version of a school accountability bill, but it was quickly torpedoed in the House. Nearly every major piece of legislation will be carried forward into yet another session.
Lawmakers are on pace to eclipse the record for days in session.
They've been in Olympia for 135 days so far. The record is 162 days, set in 1977, so a full 30-day overtime session would top that mark. Locke, irritated for weeks but biting his tongue, finally blasted lawmakers at a news conference to announce the second special session. The permit-streamlining bill passed after he spoke. The education accountability bill also passed the Senate, but Locke said it was virtually worthless.