Dear neighbors,
We are now on day 23 of the 60 day Legislative session, and approaching the first major cut-off of the year. Today, January 31, is the last day that non-fiscal House bills can be moved out of committee and be eligible for further action. Many committees are meeting well into the night in order to allow the public an opportunity to testify.
The budget remains the highest priority of the session, and, contrary to what you may be hearing, the budget writers are right on track for getting their work done on time. As is the norm, our supplemental budget will be released shortly after the next state revenue forecast on February 16th. That forecast will give us the most up-to-date numbers we need to accurately balance the budget.
While the budget committees are busy with their work, other committees have had a full plate as well. Issues I’ve been working this week include:
HB 2156 – Coordination and evaluation of workforce training for aerospace and materials manufacturing.
Requires the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, with certain training providers, to facilitate coordination and alignment of aerospace training programs.
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board would be required to evaluate certain training programs every year and analyze the results of the training system every four years.
SHB 2374 – Associate Development Organizations:
Adds data and reporting requirements to associate development organizations (ADOs), the Washington Economic Development Commission, and the Department of Commerce.
SHB 2568 – Employment Verification System:
Prohibits the state and municipalities from requiring that a private employer use the Employment Eligibility Verification program, unless required by the federal government
Jobs now, jobs tomorrow
In my last update, I talked about some of the structural changes we are working on to encourage job growth in our state. This time, I want to let you know about a plan House and Senate lawmakers are working together on that will quickly create real jobs in every corner of the state – tens of thousands of family wage jobs.
It’s modeled after a successful effort led by former Gov. Dan Evans in the 1970’s. Put simply, it front-loads construction projects already scheduled to be done in future years. It will put thousands and thousands of people to work as early as this spring building the infrastructure that will help build a better economy – and a better Washington.
The need for both things – jobs and infrastructure – is great. Construction workers on the west side of the state face a 30 percent unemployment rate. No other major industry comes close. East of the mountains, some trades are up to 60 percent unemployed. This proposal is the fastest way to get those people back on the job.
You can read more about the plan and see a list of proposed projects here.
How can we do more with less?
That’s the ultimate question most organizations are constantly trying to answer in this new economy.
In the last three years, revenue shortfalls have forced the legislature to cut over $10 billion in state spending.
Although all state agencies have taken dramatic cuts to their budgets over the last three years, they still have essential functions to perform. They’ve had no choice but to find ways to perform their duties with fewer resources.
This week, we heard how our institutions of higher education have stepped up to this difficult challenge and implemented several efficiencies across their campuses. A few examples:
- The University of Washington has reduced its administrative units by sixteen percent. Both UW and WWU have eliminated over 40 academic programs at their campuses.
- Washington State University has eliminated over 1,000 courses from the course catalog and reduced or eliminated 25 degrees.
- Our community and technical colleges are also becoming more efficient through expanding open course libraries, reducing the need for remedial courses, and streamlining college assessments and placements.
I will share other examples of the way state services are being delivered more efficiently in the weeks to come. With another $1.5 billion budget shortfall looming, additional cuts will have to be made and we are continuing to find ways to streamline government.
Discover Pass tweaks in the works
Washington’s state parks are the jewels of our Evergreen Legacy. But, like all areas of government, they are struggling as a result of budget cuts.
Last session, legislators saved all 120 of our state parks from closure by implementing a new user fee system. Since last July, vehicles entering state parks must display an annual “Discover Pass” (or a day pass) in order to park. While there is some flexibility for those who are only parking momentarily to use the restroom or drop off recyclables, vehicles without a pass can be ticketed.
The intent behind the legislation was to prevent the shuttering of state parks, the majority of which are not self-supporting. And in fact, 41 other states already charge user fees at their state parks, so Washington was in the minority of states that did not.
While thousands of Washingtonians have purchased Discover Passes since they became available last summer, these sales haven’t generated enough revenue so far to stave off more cuts to the parks system. So lawmakers are examining possible tweaks to the program that may make it more user-friendly, encourage more people to buy the pass, and keep the gates at our parks open.
Among the proposals being considered are:
- House Bill 2153 to make the Discover Pass more family-friendly by allowing it to be transferable between two vehicles.
- House Bill 2217 to cap the cost of the annual pass at $30.00.
- House Bill 2295 offering a discount to people who purchase the Discover Pass at the same time as they buy their hunting or fishing license and prohibits other agencies from adding additional fees to the cost of the Discover Pass.
- House Bill 2373 does everything the above bills do, plus additional modifications to the law.
Upcoming District Happenings:
North District Council February meeting – Wednesday, February 1 7pm.
Lake City Library Conference Room
12501 28th Ave NE
Special Guest: City Councilmember Richard Conlin, Chair of the Planning, Land Use and Sustainability Committee.
Haller Lake Community Club, Community Meeting – Thursday, February 2 @ 7 pm.
Topic: The City of Seattle will have a representative to address your concerns regarding noise from the Annex during odd hours, etc.
For more community meetings, please visit the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods at https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/
Thank you once again for taking your time to read my e-memo, and continue to be involved in the working of your government.
Please feel free to contact my office anytime.
Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney State Representative 46th Legislative District