TACOMA — Gov. Jay Inslee will appoint a new member of the Washington Legislature because the King and Pierce County councils would not get together to name a replacement.
The Pierce County Council voted on three candidates recommended by Democrats but did not reach a majority Monday because the King County Council refused to schedule a joint meeting.
The King County Council said Pierce County had no authority to call a special meeting of King County Council members.
The News Tribune reports Inslee will choose from among the three recommended candidates before the session convenes Jan. 12.
The vacancy was created by the death of Rep. Roger Freeman of Federal Way whose 30th District straddles the county line. He died six day before the November vote and still won re-election.
