Budget, accountability, and bill update

February 25, 2016

Thank you for coming to our town hall

Riccelli town hall

We had a great turnout of over 300 people at the Northeast Community Center for our town hall last Saturday. As always, it was invigorating to come back from Olympia and chat with community members about the progress we’ve made and what we hope to accomplish in our last few weeks of session this year. I especially enjoyed taking questions from people about the issues that matter most to them. Our democracy only works if everyone takes time to engage in the process. Thank you to everyone who came out!

Accountability for you

When the legislature passed the largest tax break in state history for Boeing, we were promised job growth that would benefit Washingtonians. Less than three years later, Boeing has laid off or moved 5,000 jobs out of the state.

Numerous large corporations are getting away with using tax breaks and not creating or maintaining the jobs that were promised. If they don’t meet state goals, it’s time they’re reigned in. Tax exemptions used for private corporate jets don’t benefit regular Washington taxpayers. Tax exemptions meant for small banks but being used by Goldman Sachs and Barclays don’t benefit middle-class Washingtonians struggling to make ends meet.

Along with my colleagues, I’ve introduced new legislation that will reign in these exemptions and start leveling the playing field between middle class families and the wealthiest among us.

Riccelli Frame Peterson Robinson Farrell Accountability bill drop in hopper

 

House Democrats unveil supplemental budget

Supplemental budgets are a way for the Legislature to make a course correction when we have unexpected costs or changes to our revenue stream. This year, we’ve introduced a supplemental budget that will pay for last summer’s devastating wildfires as well as address major issues facing our state, like homelessness and our teacher shortage.

We’ll be negotiating our budget priorities and plan with the Senate Republicans, with the goal of finishing before the end of session on March 10. You can read about our budget plan by clicking here.

Update on priority legislation

  • HB 2985: This would allow older facilities barred from being used as classroom space to be used to support all-day kindergarten and lower class sizes for K-3 for five years while the state grapples with a permanent solution to lower class sizes. Read more here.
  • HB 2452: This simple bill allows us to join a group of states in an agreement to allow the quick licensing of medical doctors and surgeons who move into Washington–getting us health care faster.
  • HB 2610: Our county commissioner bill moved out of the House last week and is being considered in Senate committee.
  • HB 1448: Sheena’s Law passed the House 95-2 and is back over in the Senate, where I hope it will move forward. Read more here.
  • HB 2432: Substance abuse and mental health disorders are far too common in our society and this bill helps protect patients and doctors by giving providers a treatment option when they need help.

A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks and we’ve still got about two and a half weeks left until the end of session on March 10. I’ll keep you updated as we move through the process of passing a supplemental budget. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you have questions or concerns. It’s an honor to serve you.

Best Regards,

Marcus Riccelli

Representative Marcus Riccelli
3rd Legislative District – Spokane