Here in Olympia, there is a concept called “the 5 o’clock bill.” The legislature operates on a series of self imposed deadlines that are designed to winnow down the thousands of bills that are introduced each year to the few hundred that are passed into law. March 12th marked the halfway point in the legislative session, and all bills needed to move out of their House of Origin by 5pm. To learn why some legislators debated late into the night on the 12th, watch this 5 minute video that explains some of the strategies behind the “5 o’clock bill”.
Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens.
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