E-Newsletters

Early Learning Last session one of the bills I prime-sponsored, SB 5595, created a task force to figure out how to better align the state's two biggest early learning programs, Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Working Connections Child Care. Over the Summer and Fall, I co-chaired this task force along with Representative Maureen Walsh from Walla Walla and ...

Honoring Dr. Marin Luther King Today on the Senate floor, we honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who dedicated and gave his life in the pursuit of equality and justice for all. Here’s one of my favorite quotes from Dr. King: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”   Summer Knowledge Improvement Pilot (SKIP) Did you know ...

Opening Day! The 2014 Legislative Session was gaveled to order earlier today by Lieutenant Governor, Brad Owen who also serves as the President of the Senate. The state Legislature operates on a two-year cycle. In odd numbered years, we have a 105 day “long” session when we create two-year budgets for operating, ...

The past month has been particularly busy with opportunities to learn about the accomplishments and challenges in our community. Here are a few recent community visit highlights: Health Sciences Building Last Friday our community dedicated the new Biomedical Health Sciences Building, which will house Spokane's four-year medical school and a consolidated WSU College of Pharmacy. In my remarks at the dedication ceremony, I ...

Landing the 777x On very short notice, Governor Inslee last week called a special legislative session to consider a package of bills to ensure that the Boeing Company will build the new 777x and its composite wings in Washington State. There were three key parts of the package: 1. Extension of current preferential tax rates for aerospace manufacturing. 2. Expansion of workforce training programs, particularly focused ...

Early learning: Our best investment The data is clear and there is wide agreement that the best investment for the educational success of Washington State's children is high quality early learning. Last session, one of my priority bills was SB 5595, which among other things, created a task force to figure out how to better align the ...

While the Federal government is in the midst of a shutdown, state government and our new health care exchange are open for business. I can’t quite get my head around how a high point and low point for our government can happen on the same day. Yesterday started an arbitrary government shutdown caused by one faction of one caucus in one ...

One of my goals for the interim period between sessions is to go out and see state government in action so that I understand the facts on the ground when we are making budget and policy decisions in Olympia. Recently, I had the opportunity to ride along with Washington State Patrol Trooper Scott Davis during a Target Zero Task Force shift.

Budgets passed and Legislature adjourned!

On Saturday we passed the state's $33.6 billion two-year operating budget and finished what turned out to be a long and arduous budget process. While the process took longer than any of us would have liked, we ended up with a responsible and balanced budget that helps the Spokane ...