http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jan/11/there-are-those-who-say-we-cant-provide-real-chang/
A communications consultant who has managed campaigns for Clark County Republican candidates, freshman Rep. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, was a natural pick to deliver the official GOP response to Gov. Chris Gregoire’s State of the State address Tuesday.
Rivers adeptly handled the chore on the public TVW television network.
“As I look around the Legislature, I see ordinary people who are capable of extraordinary things. And I’m optimistic that we can turn our state around,” Rivers said.
She outlined GOP goals to cut regulations to invigorate Washington private businesses, balance the state budget without new taxes and “reset” government priorities and functions for long-term stability.
“No one is saying this will be easy, but nearly everyone is saying that it is necessary,” Rivers said of producing lasting change.
She also recited steps taken by Gregoire and majority Democrats the past decade that helped to bloat the state’s $4.6 billion spending deficit for 2011-13.
“These examples are not meant to be partisan, but they are meant to provide contrast,” Rivers said. She pledged GOP cooperation to find budget solutions, and concluded in upbeat fashion: “I’m very hopeful, and you should be as well.”
‘Oz,’ and anthem
Rivers then joined several GOP leaders in a televised panel discussion with reporters, including her 18th District partner, Sen. Joe Zarelli.
Zarelli used a “Wizard of Oz” scene to illustrate legislators’ resolve to pursue cost savings, even in previously off-limit areas of state government, such as agency reorganization and employee pensions.
“We’ve just grown things, for decades,” Zarelli said. “We’ve never really looked behind the curtain at the wizard and what he’s doing. Or, how tall he is.”
Prior to Gregoire’s address in the House of Representatives chamber came much pomp and ceremony, which included a familiar voice from Vancouver.
A singing voice, in fact: Kyra Smith, a 2010 Mountain View High School graduate who has dazzled crowds across Clark County and at major-league sporting events in Seattle and Portland, belted a strong rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Smith, 18, is a veteran performer, including time as a Radio Disney performer. She first appeared in Columbian news archives singing in public at age 4. She is now a Washington State University Vancouver freshman studying business administration.
Howard Buck: 360-735-4515 or howard.buck@columbian.com.
