WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Breakfast, Bills & Budget

Improved Data Breach Notification Bill to Governor

 
ID Theft

There have been some bright lights this session and our work here is not yet finished. My data breach notification bill, HB 1078, is on its way to the Governor’s desk after receiving unanimous support throughout the legislative process. It has been a pleasure to work with Attorney General Bob Ferguson in this effort to protect Washington consumers.

I am also continuing to work on policies to address Washington’s worst-in-the-nation property crime rate and to streamline the state’s information technology management—both of which will bring cost savings—and incorporate them into the budget negotiations as part of the solution to our next two-year state budget.

Tukwila Schools Breakfast Pilot Won’t Go Statewide … Yet

 

Several bills that I have been working on have met the end of the road for this year.

Breakfast After the Bell (HB 1295) did not get a vote in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee. Interestingly, the chair of that committee is also the prime sponsor of the Senate’s Breakfast After the Bell legislation. I am disappointed that an unrelated and moot issue was tied to this great proposal with broad, bipartisan support and has been so helpful where it has been implemented in the 11th District.

Three bills among the package of cybersecurity legislation I have been advocating for will also receive no further consideration despite their bipartisan sponsorship and unanimous support both on the House floor and in their respective Senate policy committees. HB 1469 and HB 1470 did not make it past the Senate Ways & Means Committee. HB 1561 never received a vote on the Senate floor.

Even with these setbacks, these issues are important to our community and the state. I look forward to continuing work on them in the future.

Budget Talks Ongoing – Let’s Continue the Dialogue

 

House & Senate Negotiations Ensuebudget comparison press 2015

After years of budget cuts and tough economic times, I was pleased to support the House budget which makes real investments in the future of our economy and the well-being of our children, families, and communities.

With this budget, my colleagues and I support an economy that works for everyone and we are hearing good things. You can read more about it here.

Reviews have been more concerning for the Senate Republicans’ budget as you can read in the Tacoma News Tribune. The Washington State Budget & Policy Center also breaks things down well on their blog.

An Invitation to Continue the Dialogue

 

Your voice is the most important though.

Once again, I was very happy with the participation of everyone in our budget simulation at our Town Hall in March. As the end of the regular session is right around the corner and it appears ever more likely that budget negotiations will extend beyond April 26th, I would like to continue the dialogue that we had there. If you are connected with a civic organization that would be interested in having me run the budget simulation at a future meeting, get in touch with us. My legislative assistant, Doug Honma-Crane, can find time on our calendar and our contact information can be found below.

Showalter Middle School Does the 11th Proud!

 
Showalter Pages 1

Finally, I would like to thank Showalter Middle School for proudly representing the 11th Legislative District in Olympia during this session. Alejandro, Carianna, and Christopher represented us well last week. I would also like to thank Laura, who was here earlier in the session, as well.

See you back in the community soon,

Zack