Senate confirms multiple appointments, adopts transportation budget with 49‑0 vote

The Washington State Senate confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointees to boards and commissions and approved the conference committee report and final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget.

Senator Nobles moved confirmation of Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9070, Robert Maldi, to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees; the roll call was held and the presiding officer announced 48 ayes and the appointment was confirmed. The Senate then considered and confirmed appointments including No. 9171 (Lisa Graceffo) to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology board, No. 9091 (Stephanie J. Barton) to the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, No. 9094 (Huey Yu) to the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission, and No. 9075 (Robert DeCoteau) to the Bellingham Technical College Board of Trustees; each nominee received a roll-call confirmation during the session.

Later the Senate took up the conference committee report on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005. Senator Lias described the report as a bipartisan, balanced six‑year transportation budget that makes a "historic" $1,500,000,000 investment in maintenance and preservation and said nonpartisan staff estimated the proposal could create "up to 30,000 new jobs around Washington state." Senator King and other members urged adoption as a compromise that preserves investments in ferries, preservation, and safety.

The Senate adopted the conference committee report by voice vote and then proceeded to final passage. On final passage the secretary called the roll and the presiding officer announced there were 49 yeas and 0 nays; the bill was adopted and its title passed. Following that action, the Senate stood at ease by unanimous consent.