I have just returned home after the 2014 Legislative Session, which officially came to a close on Thursday, March 13. Our primary task in the final days of session was reaching a compromise on budgets that lay out supplemental public investments for services, infrastructure and transportation in Washington state.

The crafting and the passage of the budget is the opportunity for our elected officials to come up with a budget that best reflects our community’s values. In odd years, we lay out the “biennial” budget, allocating investments for the next two years. In even years like 2014, we write the “supplemental” budget, which makes minor adjustments based on new information about how much money we have to work with and how many people are relying on public services.

Budget Breakdown

 

Both chambers came to agreement on a supplemental operating and transportation budget. The transportation budget makes some important safety improvements, but new transportation revenue is needed to truly lay the groundwork for 21st century connectivity and economic development. The House passed a proposal in June of 2013, but after all this time, the Senate’s republican-led Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC) has yet to pass a proposal out of their own chamber.

The operating budget provides some additional funding for essential services like mental health and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). But I am disappointed that the House effort to close tax loopholes to invest in education and cost-of-living adjustments for educators was shut down by the MCC. I am also frustrated that this compromise budget cut funding from the House and Governor’s budget that would have helped our state move forward in affordable access to health care by taking the next step toward the Federal Basic Health Option.

Capital Budget Grinds to a Halt

The legislature typically passes a supplemental capital budget as well–but not this year. The House passed a bipartisan capital budget proposal on March 14 with a vote of 92-4, but the Senate failed to act.

This is the first time since 1996 that the legislature has not passed a capital budget, and the result is a serious loss to our communities. The capital budget lays the foundation for infrastructure and public works investments across the state. It would have funded the school nutrition equipment grant that I developed in collaboration with local and statewide advocates to help schools prepare healthier meals for kids. We also introduced a bipartisan proposal that would have funded school construction projects so that schools would have enough room to offer smaller class-sizes for our youngest learners. It passed with a vote of 90-7, but the Senate never brought it to the Floor.

The Senate’s inaction translates directly into less public infrastructure in our communities, and less family-wage jobs. This means less paychecks keeping food on the table and supporting the brick-and-mortar businesses in our community.

Moving Forward

I was pleased that three of my bills passed out of the legislature to be signed into law–legislation on newborn screenings, home care provider gloves, and athletic trainer licensure.

I am frustrated by the lack of progress on our public investments, but I also recognize that the budgets we crafted were the best that could have been hoped for given the priorities of the opposite chamber.

Next year we will have the task of laying out a full biennial budget. As we move ahead, I look forward to having the broader conversation about the role of public investment in thriving communities and opportunity for all. Working together, we can pave the way forward for Spokane and our state.

Best Regards,

Representative Marcus Riccelli
3rd Legislative District – Spokane

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In Spokane:
25 West Main
Spokane, WA 99201
(509)456-2760

Email: Marcus.Riccelli@leg.wa.gov

Legislative Assistant:
Michaela Williams
Michaela.Williams@leg.wa.gov