May 6, 2011
Work this week in Olympia centered on House and Senate budget writers as they continued hammering out the final differences in the 2011-13 operating budget. While there are still things to be worked out, we did get some good news this week when the state Department of Revenue announced<https://dor.wa.gov/Content/AboutUs/newsroom/2011/050311.aspx> that our state’s recent tax amnesty program generated more than $320 million in state and local back taxes owed by businesses.
We approved the amnesty program during the December 2010 special session to provide relief to struggling businesses while also giving them an incentive to pay back taxes without penalties or interest.
The state’s share is about $264 million, very welcome news as legislators continue working on a $5.1 billion budget problem. When we approved the program we assumed it would generate about $80 million, meaning the “net” increase is about $180 million in unexpected revenue.
While this is certainly good news and improves our bottom line, it does not solve the entire budget problem. Negotiations continue and I will keep you posted as the House and Senate moves closer to an agreement. For regular budget news updates, you can always check here<https://hdcadvance.blogspot.com/search/label/Budget>.
Protecting emergency workers exposed to bloodborne pathogens In the 1980’s, Washington passed a law that permitted certain categories of workers to order an HIV test on a person if the worker was exposed to that person’s blood through an accidental needle stick. This law covered health care workers, police officers, and other first responders.
While knowing whether you’ve been exposed to HIV is important information, it is actually more likely that someone would be exposed to Hepatitis C through a needle stick. The HIV virus only lives for a few minutes outside of the human body, but the Hepatitis C virus can survive for hours, even days. The law needed to be updated.
This week, that update happened when Governor Gregoire signed House Bill 1454<https://aor/billsummary/default.aspx?bill=1454&year=2011>, which allows these same categories of workers to order a test for all bloodborne pathogens, rather than just HIV. Supporters of the measure say that police officers are the most likely to experience an accidental needle stick, which sometimes happens when they are performing a pat-down on a suspect. The sooner someone knows if they’ve been exposed to a potentially deadly virus like Hepatitis C, the sooner they can begin treatment. They can also take steps to prevent their family members from possible exposure.
Protecting our correctional facilities employees
I have spent years talking with correctional employees about how to improve their workplace. That’s why I have continued to sponsor legislation to provide additional support and protection for those who work in correctional facilities.
This week, the Governor signed into law my bill 1290<https://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1290>, which prohibits the Department of Corrections from requiring members of the nursing staff to work overtime.
Being overworked and overly fatigued in a prison setting is a dangerous combination that we must address to keep our nurses safe.
I recognizing that health care workers in correctional facilities are working around violent offenders and I want to help ensure they have a safer work environment.
Errors typically occur at a much higher rate when nurses work overtime, and there’s no room for error in a dangerous prison setting.
Earlier this week, a measure sponsored by Green to support correctional employees while off-duty was signed into law. House Bill 1041<https://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1041> allows correctional personnel and community corrections officers who have completed government-sponsored law enforcement firearms training to be exempt from certain firearm restrictions.
Telephone Town Hall
Many of you have already had to opportunity in the past to participate in one of my town halls, open houses, or telephone town halls, and I am getting ready to have another telephone town hall Thursday, May 12 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Similar to a traditional town hall, the telephone town hall will be an opportunity to bring up questions, comments and concerns about the 28th District and topics related to the Washington state Legislature. I like this venue because people can take part in the discussion from the comfort of their own homes.
Many people will receive a call that evening inviting them to stay on the line and join the conversation. If for some reason you do not receive the call directly by 6:10 p.m., they can also phone in that evening by dialing toll-free (877) 229-8493, PIN code: 15257.
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