Beer and wine tasting is more important than the Homeowner's Bill of Rights!

THIS is what the Washington House of Representatives is working on in the final hours before bill cutoff?

The bill giving new-home buyers a warranty against construction defects is near death in the House today, apparent victim of House Speaker Frank Chopp’s opposition for the second year in a row.

Chopp’s aides said Thursday evening the bill wasn’t dead and that he had questions he wanted to discuss with bill sponsors. But House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler said today the measure giving consumer protections of four to 10 years is doomed.

“Frankly, he doesn’t think it’s cooked. So I don’t think it’s coming out,” Kessler, a Hoquiam Democrat, said of the speaker.

Kessler said a dozen other bills including one to allow beer and wine tasting in 30 grocery stores are expected to move instead today.

This is an outrage and a slap in the face to the thousands of Washington families who have suffered, lost their health, their ability to put their children through college, and their life's savings because of serious defects with their homes.

I think a simple quote from United States Senator Patty Murray from her 2004 reelection campaign will suffice to describe the attitude of House leadership.

They've got the wrong priorities.