UPDATE: Sen. Jacobsen retiring from the state Senate

Veteran state Sen. Ken Jacobsen is hanging it up at the end of the year, citing blood pressure concerns today in announcing that he won't seek re-election to an eighth term this fall. That creates an opening in a reliably Democratic seat, Seattle's 46th district.

Jacobsen was a prolific writer of bills, including the failed but ever-amusing “dogs in bars” measure to let bar patrons take Fido in to sleep at their feet while swilling a beer. But I'll also remember his long-term views of history and natural-resources management challenges like Puget Sound and state parks financing. He also was willing (right or wrong) to publicly question the wisdom of governing via the citizen initiative, and the latter put him squarely and appropriately at odds with ballot-measure promoter Tim Eyman and a passel of voters.

Here's what Jacobsen himself pointed to as accomplishments:

The establishment of the Veteran’s Conservation Corps, which provides natural resources restoration training and volunteer for veterans to. The program not only helps to prepare veterans for future employment, but studies have shown working in outdoor settings aid veterans who are dealing with stress and PTSD issues. Sen. Patty Murray recently introduced similar legislation on the federal level The creation of Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the state’s primary system for salmon recovery. Its work has increased spawning Chinook salmon in the Puget Sound by 84 percent. Closing the gender divide by requiring colleges to provide athletic opportunities for men and women at the same rate as high school participation. The measure also provided incentives to encourage schools to expand athletic programs for women.

In recent weeks two other longtime members of the chamber, Sen. Rosa Franklin, and Sen. Darlene Fairley said they also are retiring. Here is an item on Franklin, whose vacancy drew early interest from Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma.

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