Happy Sine Die!
That strange Latin phrase translates literally to “without day” and in terms of the Legislature, it means without a day set to reconvene. The 2014 legislative session in Olympia ended tonight, and I am now making my way back home.
It’s been a busy 60 days, but I fought hard during that time to represent you and your family and the issues important to the people of the Tri-Cities. I worked to enact measures that make it easier for employers to create jobs, that reflect reasonable and pro-growth energy policies, and that look for innovative ways to attract new businesses to our state.
I didn’t always succeed, but with your help, ideas and support, I feel like we were able to make a difference. For the second year in a row, we passed a budget that prioritizes education, continues to balance across four years, doesn’t raise taxes and holds the line on tuition increases.
The Legislature passed the House version of my Transparency in Permitting Act, a measure that will encourage job growth by increasing transparency and predictability in permitting. As an auditor’s report released before session correctly pointed out, delays and uncertainty in government permitting ultimately cost our state much-needed jobs. We must continue efforts to make it easier, more predictable and less costly to do business in Washington, and our ‘TIP’ bill tips the scales in favor of getting Washingtonians back to work.
Also off to the Governor is a bill that was inspired by our local Growler Guys!
With the victories, we’ve also had some disappointments. The budget we passed failed to include my Reinvest in Washington Jobs Act, which would encourage job growth by creating a pilot program to provide a business and occupation tax credit for a portion of the construction costs of up to five new manufacturing facilities.
This pilot program has nearly universal support from both political parties, as well as organized labor and employers. It is baffling why the House of Representatives would refuse to move on this bipartisan bill and leave those manufacturing jobs on the table.
You best believe I will continue to educate my colleagues about this idea over the next several months, and will be back fighting for its passage again next session.
But right now I'm looking forward to catching up with friends throughout the district. Thanks to everyone who contacted me this session with your calls, e-mails and letters. Your feedback and ideas help me do the best job of representing you in Olympia.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your state senator. If you have questions or comments about the topics covered in this newsletter or need help with an issue related to state government, please send me an e-mail or give my office a call. I am here to help.
One of the big accomplishments for me this year was being selected by my colleagues to serve as Vice President Pro Tem of the Senate. This personal milestone for me was also a major milestone for the our majority coalition.
This year, the Senate Republican Caucus has a record number of female members – each of whom chairs a committee or has a leadership position within the Senate or our legislative caucus. In honor of that accomplishment and in observation of Women’s History Month, we took time to recognize the achievements of Washington’s past and present female leaders.
The supplemental budget approved tonight increases state spending by $155 million, with nearly two-thirds of the increase going toward K-12 schools and state-run colleges and universities.
For the first time since 2008, we entered the session without facing a deficit, and this budget keeps us on that fiscally-responsible path.
Highlights include:
- $58 million for K-12 materials, supplies, and operating costs;
- $20.3 million in community mental-health funding increases, including $7 million for the children's mental-health settlement; and
- support for the Vulnerable Individuals Priority Act, which will provide respite care services to thousands of families and employment support services to another 1,000 people with developmental disabilities – all without costing the state more money.
 The final "Conference" or compromise budget spends far less than the budget proposed by House Democrats.
The final budget also reflects several changes that help local communities:
- $6 million in liquor excise-tax revenue restored to county governments;
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a cap on fees at hospital-owned clinics, which would have adversely affected local hospitals, was remedied through negotiations; and
- the reversal of a long-standing policy that has allowed Olympia to pull back on state funding for school districts that receive federal money related to timber revenue.
The House voted 85-13 for the final version before the Senate gave its near-unanimous support to the plan.
I can’t let this session end without thanking my outstanding office team. This year’s team included my legislative assistant, Dasha Narog, my session aide, Jon Meier, and my intern, John Harris. Thanks guys for all of the hard work this year!
They have each been crucial to me doing my job and making sure that my office functions smoothly.
Although we are moving into the period known as “interim” – the time between legislative sessions, I am still your state senator. If there is any way my team can be of help, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
As always, it remains my honor to serve you in the Washington State Senate.
Sincerely,
 Sharon Brown
State Senator
8th District
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