A Central Washington lawmaker says it’s time to modernize how counties select their coroners.
State Representative Jeremie Dufault (DOO FOH) has introduced a bill that would end coroner elections and move the position to an appointed role. He calls his proposal a good-government reform that would save money and ensure qualified professionals are hired for the job:
“We shouldn’t be electing coroners in Washington state. They’re not political positions, and there’s a lot of technical expertise involved.”
SATTGAST: Dufault points to Yakima County, where a recall, a resignation, an appointment, and an election have cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. Under his bill, county commissioners could hire and, if necessary, remove a coroner without waiting for an election or going through an expensive recall:
“We’re really doing a lot of extra work and spending a lot of extra money for what appears to have been the exact same outcome.”
Dufault says he expects growing interest from counties statewide, especially those required under current law to elect coroners. The legislative session begins January 12th.