From an earlier post in this thread - It is past the Nat. Res. committee. The full Senate is the deciding group.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.06


RCW 43.06.094
Gubernatorial appointees — Removal prior to confirmation.
Gubernatorial appointees subject to senate confirmation, other than those who serve at the governor's pleasure, may not be removed from office without cause by the governor prior to confirmation except upon consent of the senate as provided for by the rules of the senate.
[1981 c 338 § 1.]

If I’m reading it right, the governor asking for a resignation and not receiving it, he then has an option to ask the senate to get involved, instead of the refusal triggering an automatic request to the senate.

There is a big difference between asking for a resignation and not getting it and putting the governor’s head on the political chopping block by requesting the senate option.

IMO, the risk/reward factor seems terribly not in the governor’s favor if he would request to get the senate involved.

I have a question for some of you who are more aware of the politics surrounding the commission than I am. Do you think those seeking her resignation are doing it because of fisheries issues or something else. I think she has been an excellent commissioner, knows the science and also how to deal with conflicting public interests. Recently a growing issue with WDFW and the commission has been the reintroduction and recovery efforts for Grizzly bears and wolves. Most of the state citizens have some opinion about this and many with the strongest opinions throughout the state have considerable political clout. Over the spectrum of opinions emotion seem to over rule science. If the commission represents the public it could be that good science is bad politics when it comes to this issue. I know from conversations with a friend who was on the commission that a lot of their more controversial work is not related to fishing and hunting directly.

I’ve e-mailed to the three--- Miranda, and the governor days ago and written to my senator in my district along with the other senators on the list today.

It is about Willapa commercial fisheries & the three Amigos ( Blake, Hatfield, Takko) trying to get reform stopped.

WN1A,

A lot of hunters and ranchers are very anti-wolf recovery, but I've not heard of any effort on their part to change the Commission. They would be at greater risk of getting new Commissioners even more adverse to their positions. The commercial fishing industry has been anti-Commission since the old WDF and WDG merged in 1995. A Commission dilutes special interest influence compared to a Gov-appointed Director, where direct lobbying and campaign contributions have greater effect.

Sg

WN1A -
I agree in the 40 years that I have watched commission (in its several forms) Miranda Wecker has been as fine as a commissioner as I have seen. Her knowledge, interests, courtesy, and professionalism has been beyond reproach.

Over the last decade the commission has taken a wide variety of very thorny wild issues and in the process of doing so given the passion and emotions surrounding those issues it is certainty than many would end up being upset. However the flip side of that coin is that the commission has been doing its job stepping up to the plate to discussion and ultimately deciding on courses of action. The commission under her leadership has do so with professionalism and gone about gathering the data and information to make informed decision. It goes without saying that in doing so some folks will be unhappy and over the broad scope issues they cover it is unlikely that few of us would agree with each and every decision. That does not mean they have not been doing their job (and doing it well) but exactly the opposite.

The ultimate test is the answer to the question of whether the fish and wildlife resources (as a total) and ultimately the users that rely on that resource doing better or worst as a result of their actions.

If the citizens and wildlife of this state are so unfortunately to loss Wecker's serve on the commission early my hope she will leave with her head held high and with pride of a job well done!

Curt

Olympia ????????? Got lots to do, right now......public schools, culverts, and 100's of other things that NEED TO GET DONE!!!!!!

I'm predicting "special session", more of the tax payers monies pissed away because our elected Senators and Representatives can't stay "on task" and do the MORE important things.

I've written Hatfield, Takko, Blake, and Governor Inslee.......no answer yet but I like email....2nd mailing will go out Saturday, then a 3rd, a 4th...I will get an answer.

Sport fishermen need to believe that the present Commission has done a very good job working/forming policies for the conservation of wild fish. Miranda Wacker in her position as Chairman is to be commended for her leadership.

I emailed a gaggle of politicians, and am spreading the word. Wecker needs to stay on the commission.

Just read on NWS a follow up story about commissioner Miranda Wecker.

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/

Excellent read for those that take the time.

A quote from the article in NWS that is written by Andy Walgamott,

“Recently, the commission has been working on Willapa Bay salmon conservation and harvest management strategies, with a decision on a new framework tentatively scheduled to be made at its April 9 meeting.

Postman, the governor’s spokesman, claimed that the decision about Wecker’s resignation was “not about politics or policy,” nor an “attempt to mute any group’s voice on the commission.”

It appears it could be bullying, harassment, and intimidation aimed at a commissioner, and the commission as a whole, by certain legislators through the governor’s office.

Well, Postman said what it wasn't - to include policy which is what the Commission is tasked to do. So, then, exactly what was it??

“The governor and his staff had decided it was time to make a change in order to improve collaboration on the commission” according to the article.

“The governor and his staff had decided it was time to make a change in order to END collaboration on the commission” according to the article. Their that is more like what the Gov's staff really meant.

Is this retaliation for the sportfishing priority bills that were recently heard in the house and senate?

It is all guess work as the Gov's staff seldom explains things in a forthright manner. Best guess is pressure from the Coastal Caucus and trade bait for support in budget negotiations.

Trying to get clarification through the governor’s office, my impression of the improvement of collaboration by the commission would be with the legislature, governor’s office, and various agencies.

The problem with that would be politics trumping science again.

Does anyone know what's going on with this? I haven't heard anything...which I kind of think might be good. Though it seems there's an extra commissioner (unless there's no rule on the number of commissioners).

Chasin' Baitman -

The WDFW commission is limited to 9 members, 3 must reside on the east side of the State and 3 on the west side. The other 3 are "at large" members. Only one commissioner per county is allowed.

In addition to the geographic diversity the Governor typically attempts to appoint members of a diversity of interest as well. The current commission maybe one of the most diverse and balanced commissions in decades.

Curt

hah - OK, for some reason I was STILL thinking there was an extra commissioner hangin' around, but that's obviously not the case (and never was).

I see that the 2 new commissioners have been added, and Wecker is still listed. So, I suppose that no (new) news is good news here.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/members.html