The Reporter asked legislators representing Bellevue for their take on the recent legislative session. Today: Rep. Judy Clibborn, whose district includes the southern portion of Bellevue.

Good:

The best vote count in memory (89-6) on the new bi-partisan transportation budget. Despite declining revenues, House Democratic and Republican transportation leaders hammered out a way to pay for promised road projects, ferries, state patrol and rail projects. Significant cost-saving reforms enabled us to balance needs across the state, fix shortfalls in costs for fuel in our ferries and State Patrol, and meet new demands in storm water and transit.

Bad:

Trying to persuade labor unions to come to the bargaining table and agree to changes in ferry labor contracts that would ultimately save their jobs. It was hard to do this while respecting the rights of unions in this highly-charged political environment. But the high costs of previously negotiated labor contracts were bleeding the ferry system dry. Fortunately, everyone worked together and we negotiated savings of over $20 million a biennium to help save ferry service.

Ugly:

Working for a compromise on Worker’s Compensation. Tempers flared and people were hurting from cuts made in services. Lines were drawn in the sand and rhetoric flowed. House and Senate leadership was not aligned. Keeping a cool head and letting negotiations go forward to a final decision was hard. Keeping a compromise in sight was a must. In the end, it did come together and I was proud to be a part of it.