Committee reviews completed oral histories, TVW videos and account balance; requests deeper financial accounting
February 23, 2026 | Legislative Sessions, Washington
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Committee staff gave updates on recent oral‑history projects and the committee’s finances, and members asked for clearer documentation of recent expenditures before formally accepting the report.
A staff member reported that interviews for the oral history of former House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler have been completed, that contractor Vince Schleitweiler compiled the materials and that staff are editing the manuscript and adding photographs with an expected completion in the coming months. Staff also provided a brief update that the Mary Margaret Haugen oral history is still in progress and that the committee is searching for someone to complete a project started by a former staff member.
On the committee’s finances, staff reported an ending account balance of $79,639.20 and said the account began the 2023–25 biennium at $26,900, with the committee requesting a $50,000 appropriation and recording an expenditure of $17,500 for contracted work. Members raised questions about a $5,000 discrepancy between line items and asked staff to prepare a full accounting of receipts and disbursements for the next report.
Staff also reported that the TVW video project is complete and that links to the videos were provided in committee materials; the public oral histories web page is being redesigned and will host the videos once it is live. Members suggested smaller, lower‑cost video vignettes and flagged potential partners including local historical organizations and university communication/history departments for conducting or assisting with interviews.
Committee members emphasized capturing recollections from members in poor health and suggested prioritizing interviews accordingly. Staff reiterated that contracted oral histories typically cost about $10,000 to $15,000 each, and that in‑house Legislative Service Center staff might reduce costs if capacity allows. The committee did not finalize expenditures at the meeting and asked staff to return with a detailed accounting and recommended next steps.
A staff member reported that interviews for the oral history of former House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler have been completed, that contractor Vince Schleitweiler compiled the materials and that staff are editing the manuscript and adding photographs with an expected completion in the coming months. Staff also provided a brief update that the Mary Margaret Haugen oral history is still in progress and that the committee is searching for someone to complete a project started by a former staff member.
On the committee’s finances, staff reported an ending account balance of $79,639.20 and said the account began the 2023–25 biennium at $26,900, with the committee requesting a $50,000 appropriation and recording an expenditure of $17,500 for contracted work. Members raised questions about a $5,000 discrepancy between line items and asked staff to prepare a full accounting of receipts and disbursements for the next report.
Staff also reported that the TVW video project is complete and that links to the videos were provided in committee materials; the public oral histories web page is being redesigned and will host the videos once it is live. Members suggested smaller, lower‑cost video vignettes and flagged potential partners including local historical organizations and university communication/history departments for conducting or assisting with interviews.
Committee members emphasized capturing recollections from members in poor health and suggested prioritizing interviews accordingly. Staff reiterated that contracted oral histories typically cost about $10,000 to $15,000 each, and that in‑house Legislative Service Center staff might reduce costs if capacity allows. The committee did not finalize expenditures at the meeting and asked staff to return with a detailed accounting and recommended next steps.
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