Big Tent Committee debates proactive role on budget and legislation amid tight state funds
March 12, 2026 | Board Council Commission Agencies , Executive, Washington
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The Big Tent Committee met March 12 in Walla Walla to preview agency budget and legislative priorities and to consider whether the committee should play a proactive role in shaping statewide policy.
Chair John Lemkoole opened the meeting and framed it as an early brainstorming session so commissioners could give input before staff finalize the agency's formal submissions. Commissioner Barbara Baker urged the committee to be more proactive rather than reactive on budget and policy, proposing that the group consider large, cross-cutting measures such as a state-level endangered-species framework to reduce controversy on contentious issues.
Several commissioners stressed the limits of the current political moment. One commissioner cited Oregon's recently passed lodging tax as an example of a dedicated revenue stream for biodiversity, noting it's about $30,000,000 a year. Director Kelly Suswin cautioned that the agency's legislative climate is constrained and said she will direct staff to be selective: don't come up with any big new ideas, or they better be really good big ideas.
Discussion ranged from pursuing new dedicated funding mechanisms to focusing on protecting and making the most of existing appropriations. Commissioners also suggested that the commission or a delegation meet with Governor Ferguson's office to understand executive priorities and to seek alignment, after noting recent public comments from the governor that commissioners perceived as critical.
Staff said the agency will compile and organize the ideas raised and return a structured proposal at upcoming committee and commission sessions. Morgan Carlson, the staff facilitator, said staff will bring the refined list to April meetings so committees can discuss concrete options. The meeting concluded with a request that committee members review the Big Tent Committee's descriptive remit and submit suggestions for whether its mandate should be expanded or clarified.
Chair John Lemkoole opened the meeting and framed it as an early brainstorming session so commissioners could give input before staff finalize the agency's formal submissions. Commissioner Barbara Baker urged the committee to be more proactive rather than reactive on budget and policy, proposing that the group consider large, cross-cutting measures such as a state-level endangered-species framework to reduce controversy on contentious issues.
Several commissioners stressed the limits of the current political moment. One commissioner cited Oregon's recently passed lodging tax as an example of a dedicated revenue stream for biodiversity, noting it's about $30,000,000 a year. Director Kelly Suswin cautioned that the agency's legislative climate is constrained and said she will direct staff to be selective: don't come up with any big new ideas, or they better be really good big ideas.
Discussion ranged from pursuing new dedicated funding mechanisms to focusing on protecting and making the most of existing appropriations. Commissioners also suggested that the commission or a delegation meet with Governor Ferguson's office to understand executive priorities and to seek alignment, after noting recent public comments from the governor that commissioners perceived as critical.
Staff said the agency will compile and organize the ideas raised and return a structured proposal at upcoming committee and commission sessions. Morgan Carlson, the staff facilitator, said staff will bring the refined list to April meetings so committees can discuss concrete options. The meeting concluded with a request that committee members review the Big Tent Committee's descriptive remit and submit suggestions for whether its mandate should be expanded or clarified.
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