WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

House makes history — and headlines — with first-day Dreams

Rep. Zack Hudgins DREAM Act floor speech
Rep. Zack Hudgins speaking in favor of HB 1817 – The Dream Act


Spokesman-Review Dream Act clears Washington House on first day

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, used part of his welcoming speech to recognize immigrant students in the gallery and talk about his ancestors who immigrated from Croatia.

“This is not only personal to me, it is fundamental to our state and nation,” he said. “Life is short and so is the session. Let’s get to work.”

Yakima Herald-Republic Dream Act clears state House

“Nobody can remember a bill leaving the chamber on the first day of the session, so this is a big deal for us,” Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Tukwila, the bill’s prime sponsor, said in a telephone interview ahead of Monday’s vote.

Seattle P-I House passes Dream Act, fate up to Senate

State Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, chairwoman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, refused in 2013 to allow a vote on the legislation. Bailey told the Seattle Times on Monday that “a lot of things take priority over this.”

The Dream Act passed the House on a 71-23 vote, with 16 Republicans voting in favor.  The pro-Dream Act Republicans included State Reps. Norma Smith and Dave Hayes, Bailey’s GOP seatmates in the 10th District.

Seattle Times Dream Act passes House in rare first-day vote; Senate action unlikely

The state House overwhelmingly passed the so-called Washington Dream Act on Monday, kickstarting the 60-day legislative session with a rare opening-day floor vote.

“This bill is not about ‘those children,'” said state Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle, in a supporting speech. “This bill is about our children.”

Everett Herald Legislature starts with contentious vote on Dream Act

It passed 71-23 and was sent to the state Senate. The House passed the same bill last year but it never came up for a vote in the Senate because of opposition from conservative Republicans.

Crosscut DREAM Act? Dream on.

“This bill simply allows all children in college to be treated the same,” said Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Tukwilla, one of the bill’s chief sponsors. ” … It is not a giveaway, but an opportunity to compete.” said Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Tukwilla, one of the bill’s chief sponsors.

Senate Majority Coalition Caucus Leader Rodney Tom, D-Medina, along with Senate Higher Education Committee chair Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, said it was unlikely that the revived bill would be voted on in the Senate, even though there looks to be enough moderate support, including from Tom, to ensure its passage.