Gov. Inslee blasts Senate Republicans for ousting transportation secretary

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee had harsh words for Senate Republicans just days after they ousted the head of the Department of Transportation in a surprise vote on the Senate floor.

In a press conference Monday, Inslee said the Senate vote on Friday was "an election-year stunt."

The rare move was taken by the Senate as majority Republicans and a Democrat who caucuses with them voted 25-21 to not confirm her 2013 appointment.

Inslee said he had met with Republican leaders just last week and while there was mention of concern over some transportation data, no mention of their intentions with Peterson.

Inslee said that currently Deputy Secretary Roger Millar is in charge at the agency and there is no timeline yet on when a decision will be made on a new appointment.