OLYMPIA — Rep. Jim Buck said Friday the state’s taxpayers must be protected as negotiations proceed between the governor’s office and Lower Elwha Klallam tribe over the abandoned Marine Drive graving yard project and Tse-whit-zen village site.

“I have laws I have to follow and so does the governor as far as what can be offered in a settlement,” Buck, R-Joyce, said.

“There’s checkbook and laws and constitutional issues that need to be resolved, and I expect people to pay attention to those.

“Somebody has to be looking out for the taxpayers. I can’t give them a blank checkbook for settling this.”

Buck, along with Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, and Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, represent the 24th District, which includes Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.

The 2006 legislative session kicks off today and is expected to last until March 9.