It’s a legislative rite of passage: The House floor debate that ends with the approval, for the first time ever, of a bill sponsored by a new member. There’s applause and handshakes when it happens – but not before some good-natured hazing.
So it was for Rep. Mia Gregerson of SeaTac, appointed to an unexpired term late last year and serving in her first session. She rose on the floor Feb. 13 to urge approval of her House Bill 2723, an uncontroversial measure making some modifications to the 2011 Foreclosure Fairness Act.
Not so fast, said her District 33 seatmate, Rep. Tina Orwall of Des Moines, who sponsored that act. She asked her colleagues to forgive Rep. Gregerson, whom she said was too green to realize that all bills approved by the Legislature embody perfection, and need no modification. Sadly, she said, she was recommending a no vote.
Just kidding! Orwall joined with the rest of the House in unanimous approval of the bill – and in congratulating Gregerson after the vote.