
	Chris Mulick has worked for the Herald since 1998 and has served as the statehouse correspondent covering state government and politics since 2000. He works year-round out of the Herald's Olympia bureau on the state Capitol campus. Have a question? Send Chris an e-mail and he'll answer the best questions regularly.

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Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2008

Details emerge on the reprimand of Sen. Roach

I just got a copy of the letter recently sent to Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, that formalizes the reprimand she received this session from her own caucus. And as we reported last night it centers around her dealings with staff.

If you’re just tuning in, here’s the back story.

The document is pretty general. It is titled “Adjusted Member/Staff Protocol because of lack of boundaries with caucus staff.”

It lists five findings.

“Staff are asked to spend an inordinate amount of time with Sen. Roach to the detriment of their obligations to other members and to the personal lives of staff.”

“Listening to Member recount past perceived slights by current members, former members, Leadership, lobbyists and party leaders — among others — is not an acceptable use of staff time.”

“Staff are subjected to treatment by Member that violates the Senate’s prohibition on creating an ‘intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.’”

“Staff are asked to state their personal loyalties lie with the Member, and that this loyalty to the Member should supersede the staff’s loyalty to the caucus and their responsibilities to other members.”

“Staff have left in the past because of this treatment. Continued staff departures are imminent if Member continues to make disproportionate demands on staff time and creating an ‘intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.’”

To remedy the situation, Senate Republican leadership has instructed that all communication between Roach and staffers go through he legislative aide and that Roach may not contact staff “in person, via phone, e-mail or though any other means.”

Staff is asked to report violations of the protocol, which takes effect immediately.

The letter is signed by Senate Republican leadership team of Mike Hewitt from Walla Walla, Wenatchee’s Linda Parlette, Ritzville’s Mark Schoesler and Bellingham’s Dale Brandland.

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