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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. |
Rep. Shirley Hankins, R-Richland, talks with House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, during the 2003 legislative session.
We posted 22 minutes of video from Rep. Shirley Hankins’ retirement press conference yesterday and let’s just say it was wide ranging.
She tells stories about how a local bridge got named, makes a joke about how U.S. Department of Energy scientists can’t park cars and even mentions the time she shot the legs off a pheasant without killing it while hunting in Kansas.
“My experience with guns is not good,” she deadpans.
But what stands out most is how much Hankins, R-Richland, sticks it to fellow Republicans on the way out the door.
In case you didn’t take the time to watch, here are some of the highlights.
ON THE AREVA DECISION:
Hankins took time to mention Areva’s decision this week to build its uranium enrichment plant in Idaho instead of Richland. Gov. Chris Gregoire is receiving criticism from Republicans for not embracing Areva more warmly.
“I’m going to get a little off subject here because of the Areva thing,” Hankins said. “Well I think it’s interesting they blamed Olympia for that."
"Olympia is not the blame for that. We did it ourselves," she continued. "Nobody told me we needed to be working on that. Nobody went to my office and explained this program to me in any way shape or form.
"Let’s get off the blame game and start growing up here,” Hankins said.
ON ALL THE BILLS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR:
“They’re all still alive folks,” Hankins said. “Titles are deadly.”
ON HOUSE SPEAKER FRANK CHOPP AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS:
Hankins explained that seniority matters to House Democrats, something she was able to take advantage of.
“We’ve become good friends,” Hankins said of Chopp, D-Seattle. “I don’t have any problem getting in to see the speaker. But if you are a freshman, you can send him an e-mail.
"I love going into the Democratic caucus," she said. "They’re all in their little categories and they all have a say about everything."
"I will tell you one thing. When they’re organized you can’t beat them," Hankins said. "And we don’t have that kind of organization.”
STILL MORE ON HOUSE REPUBLICANS:
“The Republicans just don’t have a plan. There’s nothing new,” Hankins said.
As for Chopp “this guy’s got a plan to 2020."
"All of this conversation about cutting taxes or changing fees or having initiatives, that isn’t the plan for this state,” Hankins said.
ON THE RACE TO REPLACE HER:
“I’ve talked to several of the candidates. They’re all very interesting,” Hankins said.
But she’s certain Richland’s Carol Moser won’t win running as a Democrat.
“You’re going to elect another Republican to this district,” Hankins said.
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