Inslee blasts Senate Republicans for Cabinet ouster

(AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday blasted Senate Republicans for ousting the head of the Department of Transportation, calling the surprise vote on the Senate floor "an election-year stunt."

The Washington state Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the cabinet, and appointees can serve if the Senate takes no action to confirm.

Inslee, a Democrat who is up for re-election this year, said he had met with Republican leaders just last week and while there was mention of concern over some transportation data, no mention was made of their intentions with Peterson.

Schoesler noted Pacholke's resignation as well as the recent departure of the head of the Department of Social and Health Services in the midst of court mandates related to Western State Hospital, the state's largest psychiatric facility.

With about a month left in the 60-day legislative session, Inslee said he still was hopeful that lawmakers could work through the current upheaval and tensions to get work done, including passing an outline for an education funding plan and a supplemental budget, as well as adding more money to the state's mental health system.