Will we have a Transportation Package this year?

That’s certainly my hope, particularly since the last time the Legislature passed a transportation revenue package was ten years ago. It’s time. And it’s especially important in our area to relieve congestion and improve the safety of our roads.

Go here to read about how Reps. Mike Sells, Luis Moscoso and I worked to amend the transportation revenue proposal and successfully include $152 million in transportation projects in the Snohomish area.

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Update on my bills

Child remote testimony

My child remote testimony bill, HB 1898, which passed both chambers unanimously, is now headed to the governor’s desk for his signature. Did you know there’s been a law in statute for over twenty years that allows remote testimony for child victims of sexual abuse? In an effort to keep children from going through the unnecessary additional trauma of having to face their abusers in court, my bill will review the effectiveness and barriers of the existing law and increase awareness among the prosecutors and law enforcement communities of the opportunity that some children victims may be allowed, under certain circumstances, to testify remotely in court.

 

Tribal history in schools

Washington is home to 29 federally recognized Native American tribes, but not many people know this or much about the subject in general. I was glad to sponsor the companion bill to SB 5433, which will require the teaching of northwest tribal history, culture, and government in our schools. It’s time for Washington students to get the opportunity to learn more about the history of our tribes and how they fit into the overall history and culture of our state and our nation. This curriculum was already developed by OSPI and is readily available, so there’ll be no extra cost associated with incorporating tribal history in our public schools.

 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Last week Governor Inslee signed into law SB 5083, which establishes the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Act. Sudden cardiac arrest is an unexpected failure of proper heart function that can occur during or immediately after exercise. It is a leading cause of death in youth athletes. I sponsored the companion bill of this measure that I truly believe will save lives. The new law requires student athletes and their parents to read an educational pamphlet with information on sudden cardiac arrest before participating in an athletic program. It also requires coaches to complete an online course on the subject every three years.

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Education

I wish I had better news for you in this area, but unfortunately, the Republican Senate refused to pass most of our education bills. We gave them 25 policy bills and they only passed 2 of them. We are working on getting the projects in these bills funded in the budget. We do not have time to play partisan politics. Our children’s needs must come first.

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Newspapers across the state agree: Senate budget is WRONG for Washington

There are a number of major problems with the Republican Senate proposal and newspapers across the state have taken notice:

According to the Columbian, Republicans in the Senate “are employing smoke-and-mirrors budgeting techniques” by transferring funds from one account to another, cutting programs in the process. The problem with their “no new taxes,” even for the wealthy few, approach is that they force working families in Washington to sacrifice.

And in addressing the budget, 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.” Referring to cuts and lack of investments, which are the wrong approach for a state that needs to grow from the middle class out.

Speaking of the middle class, as you know, teachers and state workers have taken salary cuts and stalled wages for six years. That’s unfair, to say the least, so the House budget gives them a cost of living increase or agreed-upon collective bargained salary increases. The Senate budget also gives teachers some of the basic cost of living allowance, but cuts health care for state worker spouses and completely throws out the state worker salary agreement. Except they can’t do that. The News Tribune looked into it and turns out their plan would be illegal.

When major newspapers in our state are pointing out worrisome problems in the Senate budget proposal, it’s worth taking a closer look. The Senate Republican plan is the wrong path for Washington.

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Thank you for reading this update. Please send me your feedback, as well as your concerns, questions and ideas.

Sincerely,