The 2016 legislative session was never expected to accomplish earth-shaking public policy improvements.

Because the politics of national and state elections dictated both parties’ actions, and because Republicans controlled the Senate and Democrats controlled the House and the governor’s office, cooperation took a backseat to stalemate on most issues. Grabbing headlines was more important.

As expected, Republicans went after Gov. Jay Inslee on the early-release-of-prisoners controversy. They then refused to confirm Inslee’s appointment, Lynn Peterson, as Secretary of Transportation as a way to create transportation and management issues for election debate.

Due to the election year, not much was expected to be accomplished on funding public schools, but it was expected to be the major battleground. Education, however, was quickly punted into 2017. The battle was over the future of charter schools, which had been ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court. Republicans wanted to save them and got just enough Democratic support to get a bill passed. Rather than veto the bill, Inslee let it become law without his signature. One public education supporter summed up the situation as “so much effort for 1,200 charter school kids and we can’t solve the problem of a million public school kids.”

Inslee likely allowed the bill to become law rather than veto it because the Republicans would have run commercials and hit pieces all summer accusing him of not supporting children’s education. He does, but apparently he wants more support for public education. Republicans will still attack Inslee over charter schools.

The Legislature did not repeal the rule regarding transgender bathroom use. Republicans wanted to repeal the rule, and Democrats supported the current interpretation that allows users to base their use on the gender with which they identify.

The Washington State Patrol got pay raises because too many of them were leaving to work in local government for better wages. But beginning teachers didn’t get pay raises despite the fact that we have a teacher shortage. Democrats wanted to raise the state’s portion for beginning teacher salaries from $35,700 to $40,000. Both professions are admirable, but what does this say about the Legislature’s priorities?

The Legislature did restore some dollars to higher education, but lawmakers are also passing along additional charges that detract from the services colleges can provide.

The state supplemental budget finally passed and is on the governor’s desk. Agreement wasn’t reached, however, until well into a special session

Funding for mental health hospitals has been a source of controversy, and the budget contains additional support for their needs as well as additional support to the Department of Commerce for grants to help the homeless. Also, $190 million was added to the budget due to damage from last year’s fires.

And raising the age for smoking will have to wait for another day, as will many other items legislators considered this session. This was a difficult session because everything was considered for its impact on retaining or achieving political gain.

But now that the pesky and distracting legislative session is over, legislators can get on with the true business of the year – getting re-elected!

Republicans will complete their own report on the Department of Corrections, which will look much different than the governor’s conclusions. Even though several people lost their jobs and Inslee moved to resolve the problem as soon as he knew about it, it’s fair game in an election year and the Republicans will spotlight it. They’ll also attack Democrats for wanting to spend too much money on teachers, mental health and other social services, and there are sure to be transportation differences.

Democrats will challenge Republicans on not facing up to the problems of senior citizens, the poor, the elderly, schoolchildren, teachers and higher education, as well as for ignoring the need for additional revenue.

Pay close attention when you talk to incumbent legislators and candidates. Don’t let them get away with superficial party-driven answers. Ask questions and make them demonstrate their knowledge of the issues. And watch out for third-party “attack” mailers. They rarely tell the whole story.

It’s your state, and you have to live with the result. Do your homework.

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is the former mayor of Auburn. He can be reached at bjroegner@comcast.net.