WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Rep. Brian Blake’s Legislative Update – March 27, 2013

The 2013 Legislative Session is getting closer to the end.  The last official day of the regular session is April 28, and in these final weeks you will be hearing a lot about the state budget.  Legislators must pass a new two-year budget for the state by the April 28 deadline.  While it might seem that attention is only just starting to turn to the budget, budget writers have actually been working on various ways to balance the budget even before the session began. 

One of the important pieces of information that everyone had been waiting for was the latest revenue forecast, which came out on March 20.  The revenue forecast predicts how much money the state is expected to take in over a period of time.

How would you balance the state budget?

 calculator

The state quarterly revenue forecast was released this week. While there was a mix of good news and bad news, we’re still looking at a $1.3 billion shortfall to fund current services like K-12 schools, higher education, and prisons. On top of that, we need an additional $1.4 billion to satisfy the McCleary decision to fund basic education. We’re looking at roughly $2.7 billion through some combination of spending cuts and new revenue by April 28. And that’s on top of the $12 billion we’ve already cut since 2008.

The Seattle Times has an interactive tool that readers can use to get an idea of what it will take to balance the state budget. The tool isn’t a complete picture as it only provides a small handful of options, but it does highlight some of the challenges we face in Olympia. Give it a shot and let me know what you think. How would you balance the state budget?


Update on my bills

As you know, four of my bills were passed out of the House and here’s where they are right now:

HB 1071 – The Salmonid Hatchery Management bill was passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural resources and Parks yesterday, March 26.

HB 1199 – The Hunter Safety bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Parks on March 28 at 1:30 p.m.

HB 1200 – The Seafood Labeling bill was passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Parks on March 22.

HB 1253 – The Lodging tax bill was heard in the Senate Committee on Trade and Economic Development yesterday, March 26, and is scheduled for executive session on the 28th at 8 a.m.


State Parks Centennial

 creek

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission turned 100 last week, and to celebrate the occasion, it launched a smartphone app with information on more than 100 state parks, historic sites and campgrounds.

The free Pocket Ranger ® Smartphone App is available for both iPhone and Android phones.

The new app will make finding and visiting our state parks easier and will support our parks system by attracting more visitors. You can read more about the centennial here.  For more history on the founding of our state parks system 100 years ago, read this recent blog post on the HDC Advance.


Affordable Care Act already improving health care

 stetoscope

Speaking of noteworthy dates in history, this March 23rd marked the third anniversary of President Obama signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, which has already made critical improvements to our health care system. But beginning next year, the ACA will offers us the chance to cover 385,000 Washingtonians making less than $15,000/year through the expansion of the Medicaid program. Over the next two years, Medicaid Expansion is estimated to save our state about $275 million. The caveat is that the legislature has to accept the federal dollars to do this. This is not only the fiscally responsible thing to do, it’s the right thing to do.

A few additional ACA improvements already in effect or coming soon:

  • Young adults who may be looking for work during these tough economic times can stay on their parents’ plan until they find a job or reach the age of 26 – whichever comes first.
  • Our health care system finally incentivizes preventative care by doing away with out-of-pocket costs for preventative care. Treating folks before their condition worsens isn’t only the right thing to do, it saves us money.
  • Starting in 2014, no one can be denied health care coverage if they’re sick. The ACA also removes any caps on lifetime benefits that may have been in place – common sense safeguards that will prevent a Washingtonian from losing everything when they get sick.
  • Also coming in 2014, all health plans will be required to cover essential benefits. These essential benefits include maternity care, mental health treatment, prescriptions and pediatric care.

Honoring the late Governor Booth Gardner

Gardner

I was saddened to hear the news that Washington’s 19th governor, Booth Gardner, passed away last weekend from complications related to Parkinson’s Disease.  Governor Gardner led our state from 1984 to 1992, and his legacy includes expanding access to health care coverage for Washington’s working poor, investing in our public education system, and protecting our state’s natural resources and open spaces.

The House and Senate met in a joint memorial session on March 22 to honor Governor Gardner’s memory and his service to the people of Washington.  The Seattle Times published an in-depth article about his life and career 

Learn more about what’s happening with the House Democrats on Facebook!


Two teens serve as House Pages

 20130313_RepBlake_AlexandraEvans_0009ab

In the past several weeks we have had the privilege of sponsoring two Legislative Pages.  Alexandra Evans, a homeschool student from Kelso and Hunter Raines, a student at Aberdeen High School both spent a week working at the state capitol. 

Alexandra and Hunter attended page school every day during their time in Olympia to better understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. As part of their page duties, Alexandra and Hunter navigated the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff.

20130320_RepBlake_HunterRaines_2523sc

Each year, students from around the state apply to participate in the legislative page program. Students spend a week attending page school, learning the inner workings of state government and assisting legislators on the House floor. Pages earn $35 per day while serving in the program.

To become a page, applicants must have a legislative sponsor, be between the ages of 14 and 16, and obtain written permission from their parents and school. Click here for more information about the legislative page program.

We are always looking for 19th District teens, age 14-16 to sponsor as Pages. If you know of someone who is interested in a great learning experience willing to spend one week in the Capitol, please contact JD Rossetti, my Legislative Assistant at (360) 786-7870 or via email at JD.Rossetti@leg.wa.gov 


As always, I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas, so please be sure to email me, call me, or if you happen to be in Olympia, come by my office.

Blakesig