Video: Key GOP senator defends transportation head's firing

I-405 toll lanes

Legislators have questions about the toll lanes on I-405.

Responding to criticism from Gov. Jay Inslee that Republicans ambushed his Transportation Secretary, Senate transportation chair Curtis King explains why Republicans ousted Secretary Lynn Peterson.

In this video interview, King says there wasn't any one issue that led to her removal but says he had communicated his concerns to her. The senator says there have been a series of concerns about her leadership, not necessarily any one reason to remove her after three years.

King also believes Inslee would only have defended Peterson if Republicans had given any earlier warning that her confirmation was in jeopardy.

The firing has set off tensions in Olympia, with the governor pointedly criticizing the Republican action and Republicans proclaiming that they are making accountability the theme of the Legislature.

  

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About the Authors & Contributors

Robert Mak

Robert Mak

Robert Mak is a principal of Seattletopstory.com and a longtime broadcast reporter in Western Washington.