Environmentalists touting benefits to economy, too
By Rachel La Corte

The Associated Press
Talk about a bag of

OLYMPIA — Washington state's environmental community has learned an important lesson about dealing with the Legislature: Don't expect everything all at once, and make sure whatever you push for doesn't pit the environment against the economy.

That formula ensured the greens got almost everything they wanted last legislative session — including strict car emissions — and it already has them working closely with Gov. Christine Gregoire on priorities for the 2006 session.

"The environmental community is being more diligent in bringing win-win issues to the Legislature that not only help protect our air, land and water but also help our business-friendly manner," said Clifford Traisman, a lobbyist for Washington Conservation Voters and the Washington Environmental Council. "That combination has afforded us the opportunity to be taken more seriously."

Here it comes again. . . .