Special Session Concludes

Yesterday marked the 30th and final day of the special session, and unfortunately the House and Senate priorities remain too far apart to finalize a budget. House Democrats passed a revised budget last week that was a good-faith compromise with the Republican-led Senate Majority Coalition. We had hoped they would take a hard look at it before sending back their proposal. But instead, they released a proposal over the weekend that showed very little movement from their original stance.

As a refresher on the budget: state revenues have only just recovered to their pre-recession levels. But now, four years later, we have more children in school and more households that have fallen back on social services in tough times. The state is struggling to meet the challenge of additional education funding as mandated by the State Supreme Court’s McCleary Decision, while teachers, caregivers, and other public workers have not had a cost-of-living increase in years.

New revenue is needed to protect the core services currently in place while investing in quality K-12 education. Yet the Senate has drawn a line in the sand, refusing to discuss revenue until several ideological policy bills are passed. Throughout the special session, their evolving list has included as many as 33 separate bills. Many of these so-called “reforms” merely amount to institutionalized cuts to essential services. One extends payday lending in our state.

House Democrats not only passed a good-faith compromise proposal; we also passed a bare-bones capital budget that would prevent current infrastructure jobs from grinding to a halt at the end of the fiscal year on July 1. You can listen to my remarks here. Unfortunately, the Senate has so far failed to take action even on this piecemeal step to mitigate the hardship of a potential government shutdown.

I am disappointed that we are yet again without a budget, but I also know that “compromise for the sake of compromise” is not why I was elected to serve the 3rd District.

The second special session began this morning. As we move forward, I will continue to negotiate in good faith with my colleagues in the Senate–if they will do the same in return. But I will not “compromise” on the backs of kids, working families, seniors and veterans in our community.

State Parks Centennial

After the House budget vote, I was able to enjoy a brief but peaceful visit home. I was honored to speak at Riverside State Park on Saturday to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Washington State Parks. My legislative aide Michaela Williams also enjoyed the celebration,  and was featured in the Spokesman Review on a rafting trip.

State Parks offer beauty, recreation and environmental protection all across Washington, and particularly in our community. Riverside State Park is the largest park in the system, and the second largest is Mount Spokane State Park. Both of these sites offer scenic and affordable family-friendly entertainment, right in Spokane’s backyard. I invited my son Brayden to join me on the stage because, to me, the Parks are all about families. They give us an opportunity to escape the bustle of everyday life and spend quality time with the people we love, while taking advantage of the immense natural beauty that characterizes our state.

State Parks are some of our greatest treasures in the Inland Northwest, and it is incredible to think that committed citizens in our state have been working hand in hand with government to protect the outdoors for over 100 years. But the Centennial celebration is also a reminder of the duty we have to the people that come after us, to be responsible stewards and ensure that these natural gems are not tarnished under our watch.

Stewards of Washington State

It is in this spirit of stewardship that I approach the current budget impasse. Ultimately, we’re all stewards of Washington state, and the Legislature has a special responsibility to ensure that our children have at least the same opportunities that we’ve had in the past, if not more. As my wife and I prepare to welcome a new daughter to the family, I am reminded that this budget is not only about us–it’s about the quality of life that we pass on to future generations.

Every day I hear from constituents asking me to hold firm on my commitment to our kids, working families, senior citizens, and people in a tough spot. Overwhelmingly, our community rejects the false choice between human services and quality education. They are counting on us to protect the public infrastructure that keeps our community strong.

Your advocacy makes a difference. Thank you for making your voices heard. As we continue to work toward an agreement, I will stand strong to ensure that the final budget reflects our values–for strong families, strong communities, and a better future for our children. 

Best Regards,

Representative Marcus Riccelli
3rd Legislative District – Spokane