Senate Republicans isolated Roach from all staffers

Mulick at TCH and Turner at TNT have the back story of yesterday's Pam Roach incident. It turns out that the Republican caucus had taken moves to isolate staff from Roach on the following grounds:

"Staff are asked to spend an inordinate amount of time with Sen. Roach to the detriment of their obligations to other members and to the personal lives of staff."

 

"Listening to Member recount past perceived slights by current members, former members, Leadership, lobbyists and party leaders - among others - is not an acceptable use of staff time."

"Staff are subjected to treatment by Member that violates the Senate's prohibition on creating an ‘intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.'"

"Staff are asked to state their personal loyalties lie with the Member, and that this loyalty to the Member should supersede the staff's loyalty to the caucus and their responsibilities to other members."

"Staff have left in the past because of this treatment. Continued staff departures are imminent if Member continues to make disproportionate demands on staff time and creating an ‘intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.'"

The letter was signed by State Senators Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla), Linda Parlette (R-Wenatchee), Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville) and Dale Brandland (R-Bellingham).