Tacoma Retains State Horticultural Office
A tight legislative vote in Olympia ensures the state's horticultural headquarters stays in Tacoma, narrowly escaping relocation to Kennewick.
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Determined opposition by Slayden and Bell in the house saved the state horticultural office from being removed to Kennewick Saturday. When the bill came up, Bell opposed removing the office from Tacoma, where it has always been. His motion to insert Tacoma as the place of headquarters instead of Kennewick lost on a standing vote 32 to 33, but Slayden promptly demanded a roll call and Tacoma won out 40 to 29. Spokane and the eastern part of the state lined up solid against Tacoma and the west side.
“Spokane and the eastern part of the state lined up solid against Tacoma and the west side.”
Regional tension between the Puget Sound and Eastern Washington is a perennial fixture of state politics. While the battle today often involves high-speed rail or climate policy, this 1910 skirmish highlights the historical importance of keeping administrative jobs and agencies centralized within city boundaries to boost local prestige and influence.
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