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State Democratic leaders say they won’t consider Let’s Go Washington initiatives

State Democratic leaders say they won’t consider Let’s Go Washington initiatives

Photo: Saga Communications/Ellie Coberly


OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington voters will likely decide the fate of two controversial state initiatives in November.

Democratic leaders announced that they will not be holding hearings on either of Let’s Go Washington’s initiatives during a legislative preview on Friday.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that the two initiatives seek to repeal recent changes made to the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” in schools and barring transgender students from playing girls’ sports.

House Speaker Laurie Jinkins says she doesn’t expect the House will discuss either of the bills after LGW announced that both met the signature threshold to be considered in the Legislature.

“I don’t think that we’ll be taking action in the House on it,” Jinkins said Friday. “And I think voters will have the chance to decide and I don’t know if I’m authorized ethically to give predictions on outcomes of that.”

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen added that the Senate won’t hear them either.

“The Senate Democrats are 100% aligned with what the Speaker said,” Pedersen said. “I am certain that we will not be passing either of those initiatives and I think it’s unlikely that we’ll hear them, I think they’ll be up to the voters to decide.”

LGW founder Brian Heywood responded in a statement, urging both leaders to reconsider.

If both of the initiative’s signatures are found to be valid and aren’t passed by the Legislature, they’ll be sent to voters on the November ballot.

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