The Legislature -- Democrats poised to make major gains

Democrats in this corner of America's "Left Coast" are poised to expand their wafer-thin majorities in both houses of the Washington Legislature, potential wins signaled by August primary votes in Republican-leaning districts.

Expanded Democratic control could move long-stalled proposals such as Gov. Jay Inslee's call for a capital gains tax on high-income earners, or an end to executions in the Evergreen State. The Senate voted last winter to abolish the death penalty, but House leaders did not bring it to a vote.

The Dems currently hold a 50-48 advantage in the Legislature's lower chamber. House Speaker Frank Chopp, a careful man, has seen his majorities dwindle this decade. He is likely to have a bigger majority, but with more independent minds, come January.

The Democrats currently hold 25 seats in the 49-member Senate, having just retaken the upper chamber with election of Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, in a special election last year. They will probably hold 28 or 29 seats after election day.

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