The year 2020 stretches before us as a blank slate full of possibilities, like a fresh coat of overnight snow on the front lawn before the neighbor’s dog makes his morning rounds.
Spin Control could project all kinds of wonderful things for the coming year but that would involve more optimism than is probably warranted. Instead, we look into our somewhat clouded crystal ball, utter “eenie, meanie, chili beanie,” the famous words of Bullwinkle the Moose, and predict some things that might happen, based on past experience.
• The Legislature will convene on Jan. 13 with general calls for cooperation and bipartisanship. Because Democrats control both chambers and the governor’s office, and almost everyone defines “bipartisanship” as “giving up what you want and doing what I want,” any tough issues will be resolved along party-line votes.
• Gov. Jay Inslee will exhort legislators to be bold, think big and push ahead on important issues facing Washington, like climate change, early childhood education, transportation and homelessness. Legislative Republicans, who spent much of last year complaining Inslee was spending too much time campaigning for president, will suggest he re-enter that race so they can have some peace.
