Progress on a long-time WPC recommendation in Olympia means people across the state will be able to testify to the legislature without driving all the way to Olympia. After a successful pilot project, the state senate is expanding the number of locations where citizens will be able to testify remotely.

Senator Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley) and Senator Sharon Brown (R-Tri-Cities) report that at least two Eastern Washington locations will be added to the list of places where remote testimony is available, the Spokane Valley City Hall and Eastern Washington University's Cheney campus. 

This is great news for Washingtonians who are separated by long distances from the capital. It's also good news for the increasing numbers of Puget Sound area residents who are separated from Olympia by choked highways. 

Unfortunately, the House has yet to act on remote testimony, but the state senate's example is should make accepting this common-sense reform inevitable. Until remote testimony is widely available and citizens are able to testify before both chambers of the legislature, WPC will continue its efforts. 

(image provided by the office of Senator Mike Padden)