Thousands sign up to testify

Sydney Brown, Washington State Journal | Jan 28, 20210

Roger Harnack | The Gazette count

Spotlights illuminate the state Capitol as viewed from a waterfront park in downtown Olympia.

OLYMPIA - More than 1,500 people signed up to speak on behalf of reopening Washington businesses during a Jan. 20 public hearing on Senate Bill 5114.

Sponsored by both Democrat and Republican senators, Senate Bill 5114 and its companion House Bill 1321 would skip over Phase 1 of Gov. Jay Inslee's newest phased-in reopening plan, "Healthy Washington-Roadmap to Recovery" plan, allowing for 25% indoor capacity at restaurants and gyms, and indoor entertainment like theaters and bowling alleys.

Dannielle Knutson, a majority partner at Budd Bay Cafe, Oyster House and River's Edge in Olympia, told th...