Legislation For Minority Rights Considered

Lawmakers in Olympia are considering legislation that would allow challenges in court when minority supported candidates can't get elected in city and county elections...a house committee on Thursday heard from minority rights advocates...the bill is similar to a 2002 California law that allows challenges in court pushing cities to change from at large to district elections...especially in areas with large minority populations. backers of the bill site Yakima's 41 percent Hispanic population...saying an Hispanic has never been elected to it's at large city council positions.