WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Rep. Orwall’s E-Newsletter for March 21, 2014

Dear Neighbors,

 It was a true honor to preside over the House of Representatives as Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore and bring down the final gavel of the 2014 Legislative Session!

This was a hard session, but in the end we came to an agreement and passed a responsible budget that protects the most vulnerable among us.  However, there were some disappointments.

The House proposed closing or narrowing certain tax loopholes in order to provide funding for education.  It is important to re-evaluate tax loopholes to make sure they are delivering the benefits they were intended to.  We need to put kids and communities before tax breaks, especially those tax breaks that do not benefit our state.  The House also held firm against efforts to create additional costly tax preferences.

However, I am disappointed that the legislature provided only limited investments in education.  The final budget provides a $58 million investment in K-12 supplies, books and technology, a modest part of our McCleary obligation – which gives our schools flexible funding.

It’s been over five years since educators have received a cost of living adjustment (COLA). If we want a quality teacher in every classroom, we must pay a quality wage. The Legislature has made over $10 billion in spending cuts since the start of the recession, and teacher compensation was not immune from those cuts. As a result, local school districts have been effectively forced to make up the difference in order to hire and retain quality teachers. Paying teachers an adequate wage is the state’s job.

The House proposed closing some tax loopholes in order to fund the reinstatement of the Initiative 732 COLA for teachers and other school employees.  We were not able to reach an agreement with the Senate on teacher COLAs, but we’ll be back next session with this issue as a top priority for House Democrats.

I am pleased that the final budget contains supports for the most vulnerable, including significant steps on mental health beds and services at the community level; 5000 new slots for services to our developmentally disabled community, taking a big bite out of the “no paid services” wait list; and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program reinvestments to help struggling families achieve economic success.

 Aaron Barna


Update on my bills

I am pleased that four of my bills passed the legislature and are now on Governor Inslee’s desk awaiting his signature:

  • HB 2315 – Suicide prevention training for health care professionals.
  • HB 2164 – Evidence-based programs for juveniles adjudicated of unlawful possession of a firearm.
  • HB 2171 – Stronger economic protections for veterans and military personnel.
  • HB 1292 – Victims of the sex trade can start their lives over by vacating their criminal records.

These bills will benefit the citizens of our local community as well as throughout the state.


Updates on other important bills we passed


New GI bill comparison tool available for veterans

Th Nieto, Liliae Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new online tool that allows GI Bill beneficiaries to find out more about their benefits and compare the schools and programs available to them. Find out more here.  The Workforce Board is one of two state approving agencies that evaluates and approves education programs for veterans and those receiving GI Bill benefits.

 


Need health care? Time is running out!

The deadline for enrollment in health care plans offered through our state’s online marketplace – Washington Healthplanfinder – is rapidly approaching. March 31st is the last day for folks to sign up for health insurance.

Ahead of this nationwide deadline, the Associated Press has compiled a handy list of what you need to know about open enrollment.  Here’s a short version:

ALREADY COVERED? NO WORRIES

  • Most people don’t need to do anything. Even before the health care law passed in 2010, more than 8 out of 10 U.S. residents had coverage, usually through their workplace plans or the government’s Medicare or Medicaid programs. Some have private policies that meet the law’s requirements.
  • If you’re already covered that way, you meet the law’s requirements.

NEED COVERAGE? IT’S CRUNCH TIME

  • Chances are you’ll hear more reminders about health care this month. The push is on to reach millions of uninsured people.
  • After March 31, many people won’t be able to get subsidized coverage this year, even if they become seriously ill. The next open enrollment period is set to begin November 15, for coverage in 2015.

To read the complete piece from the Associated Press, follow this link.

To learn more about the plans offered through Washington Healthplanfinder or to see if you are eligible for a subsidy, visit their website at www.wahealthplanfider.org or call 1-855-WAFINDER.

While trouble with the federal website has dominated the news, Healthplanfinder has quietly helped thousands of Washingtonians access affordable, quality health insurance for the very first time.

Last month, Healthplanfinder announced that enrollments through the website had exceeded 100,000. The expanded Medicaid sign-ups add an additional 202,000 residents to that figure, as well as 102,000 who had been previously eligible but hadn’t enrolled.

Let them help you, too!


Now that session has ended, we are back in our district office in Des Moines.  I am looking forward to connecting with constituents in district and beginning work on issues for next session!

Sincerely,

Tinasigsmall