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Tempers flare at State Capitol

10:42 PM PDT on Thursday, April 5, 2007

By ELISA HAHN / KING 5 News

KING

Republican Dan Roach attacks an insurance bill supported by trial lawyers.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – It was a debate on the House floor over a bill that penalizes insurance companies for unfairly denying a claim when tempers flared at the State Capitol in Olympia.

One person called it the worst breach of decorum he'd ever seen.

The insurance industry has long supported Republicans. Trial lawyers usually back Democrats. But Thursday, both sides lost their cool.

In the middle of a debate, Republican Dan Roach of Bonney Lake attacked an insurance bill supported by trial lawyers.

"This will increase cost to consumers. There's not doubt about it," he said.

But Representative Roach mentioned one trial lawyer in particular - the husband of the Democratic House majority leader Lynn Kessler.

That's when Kessler stormed across the chamber to confront Roach.

Later, Representative Roach apologized and admitted that both sides were emotional.

The bill ended up passing in the house, mostly along party lines. It will then go back to the Senate and then to the Governor who is expected to sign it.

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