A "to-do" list for the Legislature

Democrats increased their power in the state House and Senate in the recent election. Their new strength in numbers means these Democratic majorities ought to be able to deliver on a few things on the to-do list a long time.

Sixty-two Democrats in the 98-member House and 32 Democrats in the 49-member Senate should to be sufficient to get rid of the punitive and unfair 60-percent supermajority required to pass public-school levies. If lawmakers cannot pass the supermajority repeal this year, it is hard to imagine circumstances under which they could. This important constitutional change requires a two-thirds vote of both houses and simple majority approval by voters.

Almost everyone agrees public schools need more money. Reducing the requirement of 60-percent passage to a more-reasonable, simple majority would get rid of an unfair burden on schools because stadiums, jails and highway projects are approved with 50-percent support.

The supermajority was an invention of the Depression and the 1940s with many renters working at Boeing, and a fear that renters would run up taxes. The supermajority should be done away with for levies but should remain for bonds because bonds last much longer.

This is the year, too, to get rid of the gun-show loophole. People who shop gun shows should not be allowed to circumvent existing laws requiring background checks for purchasers of guns at other venues.

The heavily Democratic Washington Legislature ought to be able to pass such reasonable legislation to help cities like Seattle reduce gun violence.

Lawmakers can make this a green year by directing some of the budget surplus toward cleanup of Puget Sound. Let's make this the year the program is launched and big strides are made.

The grittiest work the Legislature may do this year centers on transportation. A regional transportation bill affecting King, Pierce and Snohomish counties should be retooled to more accurately reflect the needs of the broader region, including more money for the precarious Highway 520 floating bridge.

More thought should be given to whether voters next fall pull one lever or two, because the regional package as currently envisioned includes funding for roads and the more-popular expansion of Sound Transit light rail.

Much to do, and if Democrats, who not only control the House and Senate but the governor's mansion as well, can't get some of these items done quickly, they have only themselves to blame.