News

Funding education: Closing tax loopholes is not increasing taxes Corporate tax breaks or your children’s and grandchildren’s future. The ability to grow jobs and compete economically with a well-trained and educated workforce, or continuing outdated tax loopholes to special interests … Continue reading →

Listen to the 38th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall held by Reps. Mike Sells and John McCoy, and Sen. Nick Harper on Thursday, March 14.

Who: 38th Legislative District delegation: Reps. John McCoy and Mike Sells, and Sen. Nick Harper What: Telephone town hall When: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2013 Why: 38th LD constituents will be able to talk live with Reps. … Continue reading →

Several bills pending at the state Legislature could peel back worker protections, according to guest columnists Bob Hasegawa and Mike Sells. By Representative Mike Sells and Senator Bob Hasegawa UNLESS you’re self-employed, you’re probably covered by our state’s workers’ compensation … Continue reading →

Click on the image to watch Rep. Mike Sells discussing jobs, workers’ comp, and workforce development issues on TVW’s “Inside Olympia” with Austin Jenkins

Our first week in the legislature was packed with work sessions that included updates and accountability reports from agencies. In the Labor and Workforce Development Committee that I chair, the issue of jobs is always foremost. Our Workforce Training and … Continue reading →

Rep. Mike Sells, who took on the chairmanship of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee in 2011, has been elected by his peers to go at it again this coming session. “I will be working closely with business, labor and … Continue reading →

  I had hoped to be able to report a budget agreement today, but negotiations are continuing as I send this. The differences between the two positions are relatively small, dollar-wise.  But there are some closely-held values being threatened that … Continue reading →

Special session starts Because the House and Senate were unable to agree on a supplemental operating budget last week, the Governor called us back to work on Monday.  The majority of legislators, however, including myself, are not returning to the … Continue reading →

Message from Rep. Sells Late Friday afternoon, three Democrats decided to side with the Republicans to give them an effective majority in the State Senate; it took less than five minutes for them to show what a Republican majority really … Continue reading →

March 2, 2012 Message from Rep. Mike Sells The session is scheduled to end next Thursday, March 8. We are in high-gear right now as the final budget details are negotiated with the Senate and we pass the bills that … Continue reading →

March 5, 2012 Message from Rep. Mike Sells Late Friday afternoon, three Democrats decided to side with the Republicans to give them an effective majority in the State Senate; it took less than five minutes for them to show what … Continue reading →

February 24, 2012 Message from Rep. Mike Sells The House 2012 supplemental budget proposal was released on Tuesday.  Budget writers have been working on the document for several months, but needed the final revenue forecast before finishing it.  The goal … Continue reading →

February 17, 2012 Message from Rep. Mike Sells Budget update The state revenue collections are looking up for the first time since the spring of 2010, giving state budget writers a second bit of good news this month. The Economic … Continue reading →

January 31, 2012 Message from Rep. Mike Sells The 2012 legislative session is just about 1/3 over.  Today, January 31, is the last day that non-fiscal House bills can be moved out of committee and be eligible for further action.  … Continue reading →

January 13, 2012 Message from Rep. Mike Sells 2012 Legislative Session Begins The 2012 session of the Washington State Legislature began Monday much the way the last session ended: with legislators focused on the economic challenges facing our state.  Although … Continue reading →

December 1, 2011 Message from Rep. Mike Sells Legislators came to Olympia Monday to begin solving the $2 billion budget problem our state is facing this year.  This will not be an easy task.  Over the past three years, we’ve … Continue reading →

October 3, 2011 Message from Rep. Mike Sells Our State has three budgets. Understanding the ins and outs of Washington’s operating, capital, and transportation budgets can leave a Philadelphia lawyer (or hey, even a Wall Street economist) feeling downright baffled.  … Continue reading →

Snohomish County legislators say economy, efficiency are highlighted in 2011-2013 highway plan OLYMPIA – The Democratic transportation-budget proposal moving through the House of Representatives right now, according to two Snohomish County lawmakers, is essential in making headway toward: (1) Creating … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – In a sweeping reform package for the state Department of Labor &  Industries (L&I), the House passed new efficiency and oversight measures adding flexibility for employers and injured workers, and stricter accident prevention enforcement.  In total, the package … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – Legislation to provide better medical care to injured workers, while also reducing costs, was approved unanimously by the House late Saturday evening. By creating a network of medical providers for injured workers, it’s estimated $160 million could be … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA—With an unprecedented unanimous vote, the House of Representatives approved legislation today to provide timely tax relief for businesses and much needed help for jobless workers. “With an Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund of $2.5 billion, it became very clear that … Continue reading →

McCoy, Sells, and Harper will engage constituents in lively legislative discussion SNOHOMISH COUNTY – Heads up, all of you Tulalip, Marysville, and Everett citizens: State Rep. John McCoy, state Rep. Mike Sells, and state Sen. Nick Harper will host a … Continue reading →

Sen. Nick Harper, D-Everett “Protecting jobs in this region is our No. 1 priority. If Snohomish County and its workers emerge better off, then the sale seems prudent. “Kimberly-Clark prides itself on doing right by its workers. At this point, … Continue reading →

December 19, 2011 Message from Rep. Mike Sells Special session ends with considerable progress on the budget The Legislature has adjourned until January 9, 2012.  The just-ended special session, while short, did result in a bi-partisan agreement that takes a … Continue reading →