Special Session and the Budget
We are half way through the 30-day special session. I had great hopes of finishing our work during the regular session without having to go into overtime. Getting the Senate to the negotiating table, however, has been challenging.
As a result, much work remains to be done, including fully and fairly funding our schools, fixing our broken mental health system and making sure we have a robust transportation infrastructure that grows our economy.
As the budget negotiations continue, I want to point out some of the stark differences between the Senate and House budget proposals. The House budget makes real investments in the future of our economy and the well-being of our children, families, and communities. We do this by increasing funding for K-12 education by 21%, adding in all-day kindergarten statewide, reducing class sizes for K-3, and providing funding for important everyday tools like textbooks, classroom supplies, and general school operating costs. We’re also investing in early learning opportunities and child care.
Additionally, we’ve made one of our largest investments in mental health. Everyone deserves dignity and respect, and unfortunately our current mental health system is leaving too many people with mental illnesses in prisons, in emergency rooms or on the streets because there is no room at our mental health facilities. By funding more beds in community mental health facilities and state hospitals, we can make sure that people are getting the treatment they need.
In addressing the budget, the Senate takes a different approach. The Seattle Times says that the Senate budget “relies on likely unsustainable gimmicks and fund transfers” and reminds the legislature to “remember the painful fiscal lessons of the very recent economic past.” The cuts and lack of investment in our future is the wrong mindset for a state that needs to grow from the middle class out.
The House budget also helps teachers and state workers who have taken salary cuts and stalled wages for six years by giving them a cost of living increase or agreed-upon collective bargained salary increases. The Senate approach differs, giving teachers some of the basic cost of living allowance, but then deciding to cut health care for state worker spouses and completely throw out the state worker salary agreement. The News Tribune looked into it and turns out their plan would be illegal.
There are other problems with the Senate budget. In order to pay for their transportation plan they passed, they took $81 million from the general fund that comes from sales taxes over the next four years. That would be okay, however, that money was still in the general fund to pay for their plan. They count the money twice, once in the transportation budget, and again in the operating budget.
Senate Republicans also cut $75 million from the State Need Grant in order to “balance” the budget, which leaves over 30,000 students who qualify for aid waiting for a chance to go to college. In contrast, the House budget puts more money in the State Need Grant, as well as increases scholarships in computer science degrees, and adds additional funding for K-12 to help make sure students and families are prepared for college. That’s the right investment—not cutting programs that help low income and middle class families achieve their dreams of a college education.
As the negotiations continue, I will stand up for a budget that meets both our constitutional and moral obligations and works for everyone, not just the select few.
A Transportation Investment that Reflects Washington Values
Earlier this session, the House introduced a proposal for a transportation revenue package that will fund much-needed investments in transportation infrastructure. A robust, modern transportation system is critical to help grow our economy and combat increasing traffic congestion in every corner of our state.
We know that we must fix our crumbling roads and bridges first which is why the House proposal includes over $1.7 billion for preservation and maintenance over the next 16 years, $300 million more than the Senate’s proposal.
A second key feature of the House’s transportation proposal is its commitment to funding transit, commuter options, bicycle, pedestrian investments, and safe routes to schools. In total, the House invests more than $1.1 billion in transportation options that are important to many of our urban, suburban, and rural communities.
In the 28th district, the projects include a $350,000,000 investment to reduce the well-known chokepoint at Joint Base Lewis-McChord corridor.
In addition, the House budget funds important local projects including:
- Lakewood – $2,640,000 for the Gravelly Lake Non-motorized Trail-Washington to Nyanza North
- Lakewood – $2,00,000 for the Lake City Business District Sidewalks American Lake Park to Veterans Drive/Alameda
- Lakewood – $2,000,000 Point Defiance Rail Bypass—Improvements that will keep the Lakewood citizens safe as high speed passenger trains make their way through the community
- University Place – $745,000 for the 54th Street Safe Routes to Schools Project – Sidewalk, planter strip, street lights, bike lanes, crosswalk markings, signs, crosswalk flashing beacons, curb ramps, speed feedback signs, education and encouragement
- University Place – $380,000 for the Cirque Drive Safe Routes To Schools Project at Sunset to 83rd – Sidewalk, bike lanes, planter strip, street lights, and education
To learn more about the local transportation projects, please watch my legislative update video.
The Final Step: Signing Bills into Law
As a freshman legislator, I have spent this session learning the ins and outs of the legislative process and am excited to announce that my first bills have been signed into law. In order for bills to become law, they must make it through a seemingly never-ending set of hurdles and cut-off dates. These bills made it to the Governor’s desk with the help of many dedicated activists and every-day citizens who rallied in support of these issues.
House Bill 2063 begins to implement the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and will help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence and financial stability. Like a college 529 plan, this 529a account allows investments to grow tax-free and permits account holders to use ABLE funds for qualified expenses. Of particularly significance to those who find themselves regularly “spending down to poverty,” accounts can be valued at up to $100,000 without disqualifying one from Medicaid or SSI benefits.
I was particularly moved by Emma Patterson’s work on this bill. Emma and her mother spent many days in Olympia testifying before committees and explaining why she should have the opportunity to save money to fulfill her dream of going to college. You can read more about Emma’s story here:
House Bill 1564 allows municipalities and counties to repeal a local prohibition on the sale of liquor. This bill is especially important to our district because it provides the voters of Fircrest the option of lifting a 90-year-old liquor ban, protects businesses that currently serve liquor by the glass, and depending upon the will of the voters, may promote even greater economic development within the city.
Countdown to the US Open
With less than a month until the US Open, representatives from all levels of government are working to ensure that the event runs smoothly. If you have questions about parking restrictions, road closures or about how this will affect your neighborhood, visit the following Pierce County or City of University Place websites:
https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/index.aspx?NID=4140
https://www.cityofup.com/visitors/2015-us-open
District Office Now Open
Since regular session is now over, our 28th Legislative District office is now open. Our address is: 740627th St. W, Suite 207 University Place, WA 98466 and phone number is 253.534.3231.
Please feel free to stop by and visit or give us a ring to discuss any issue of concern. We look forward to hearing from you!