This week on Inside Olympia, an update on the state of schools, student well being and school funding from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. Plus, after nearly a quarter century in the Legislature, State Senator Sam Hunt is retiring. We ask him to reflect on his career.
“Let ‘er buck!” That’s how State Senator Sam Hunt ended a letter to his legislative colleagues about his decision to step down from his seat after 24 years as a state lawmaker. “I have been riding that bucking bronco as a Washington state legislator and have managed to stay on that bronco through 10 elections and nearly 24 years. However, the time has come to let somebody else face the challenge…”
Hunt has been heavily involved in elections legislation, as chair of the House and Senate committees that deal with those issues. He counts as his proudest accomplishment the establishment of the state’s vote-by-mail system. Reflections on that and other election/voting bills, plus other moments from his years of service in the Legislature.