Families press for tougher DUI laws

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Families who have lost loved ones because of drunk drivers are pushing for stricter DUI laws.

They gathered at the state Capitol in hopes of getting legislation passed before the session ends.

Three years ago this month, Dan Schulte's parents were killed, his wife and baby son critically injured, by a man with multiple drunk driving arrests.

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“Because the laws aren't strong enough. That's what happened in our case,” Schulte said.

Standing with lawmakers from both parties today were families whose lives were crushed by drunk drivers.

They want a law passed to make a fourth DUI conviction a felony, as in 46 other states.

Cassie Lindsay was 8 years old when a drunk driver killed her aunt.

“My aunt was basically my second mother, she came to all my birthday parties, she was with me throughout like all the times and I recently just had my 16th birthday party and she wasn't there,” Lindsay told assembled reporters through her tears.

Russ Bartlett was a veteran, a father and a husband for 50 years. He was killed in Yakima by a drunk driver.

“What we've going through this past year, year and a half is horrible and we don't want any other families to have to go through this,” said his wife Karen.

But the cost of toughening the penalties is $10 million in the next two-year budget-- and that's where the bipartisan agreement breaks down.

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Democrats want to pay by closing tax loopholes.

“A portion of one of them, the Use Tax for Extracted Fuel would easily pay for this,” said Democratic Representative Roger Goodman.

“I don't think we need a tax increase. Because we have the money it's there in our budget to pay for this,” responded Republican Representative Brad Klippert.

At his news conference, Governor Inslee weighed in. “I've support that position for a long time and I will be supportive of a budget that funds a position that I support.”

The legislative session is supposed to end Thursday.

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Cox Media Group