State senator admonished for behavior in committee hearings

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A Republican senator who heads a policy committee has received a letter from Lt. Gov. Brad Owen admonishing her for her behavior in recent public hearings.

One included an exchange during a televised hearing in which she noted campaign contributions made to her opponent in her recent re-election bid.


The four-page letter obtained Monday by The Associated Press was sent Friday to Sen. Pam Roach of Auburn and also states that Roach can only meet with nonpartisan committee staff when in the presence of another senator.

Owen wrote that Roach's treatment of people who appear before her committee is "a great matter of concern."

Roach says that she was blindsided by the letter, and insists she is a fair chairwoman who is being vilified.