106 Newhouse Building ● P.O. Box 40404 ● Olympia WA 98504-0404

Report from Olympia |  May 21, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

For many people, Memorial Day is about spending some time with friends and family, barbeques and furniture sales. While we enjoy this holiday weekend with our loved ones, it’s important to remember those whose loved ones are no longer here. The true meaning of Memorial Day is to honor the men and women who have shown an unflinching willingness to sacrifice all for freedom – those who died serving in the United States Armed Forces.

This Memorial Day I hope you will share that message of sacrifice and love of country with those in your life – especially those in the younger generation.

As President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

The news on the budget-negotiation front is limited, as our Senate majority has made it clear that we don’t want to negotiate with the House majority through the media. However we did recently get more good news; the economic forecast that came out this week pointed to the state expecting more revenue thanks to our recovering economy.

This proves once again that there is no need for new taxes. In fact, there are some of us who believe that it is time to give some tax relief to small businesses struggling to grow and create new jobs. You can read more on that issue below.

It is an honor to serve as your voice in Olympia. Please let me know if we can provide you with more information on issues relating to state government, or if we can be of assistance in any way to you and your family. Feel free to contact me anytime via email or by calling our district office at (509) 921-2460.

Thank you, as always, for the continued opportunity to serve you in the state Senate.

Best Regards,

Senator Mike Padden

In the District... Liberty Lake Elementary

Last month I had the pleasure of being back in district to speak with several students at Liberty Lake Elementary.

The school's mission is to equip future citizens with academics, character and a sense of community, and its goal is to create a strong academic foundation on which continued application and learning take place.

During my visit, I spoke with students in five 5th grade classes, who were preparing to take their annual civics exams. We discussed the constitution, state government and the principles of good citizenship.

Principal Joanne Comer also arranged for me to meet with members of the Liberty Lake Elementary Associated Student Body -- the school's student leaders. 

I was very impressed by all the students I met; they are a credit to our great community, their parents and the wonderful teachers and administrators working hard to provide them with a quality education.

With $1.1 billion more revenue, state should provide small business tax relief

On Monday, Washington state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released its second-quarter revenue projection, which was moved ahead from June, forecasting an increase of approximately $415 million in revenue for the 2015-17 biennium. Since session began in January the state has seen $1.1 billion of additional revenue and resources added to the state budget outlook – all without new taxes. This positive news means that it is time to invest some of that revenue into tax relief for our small businesses, not more spending. Together with Sens. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, and Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, we offered a plan to use half of the $415 million increase projected by the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council for a reduction in the burdensome business and occupation tax. The Senate budget already increases spending by 12 percent, and that is more than enough. Tax relief for small businesses would help expand and grow the economy, create jobs and help local economies. Fast-rising economic activity alone has added more expected tax revenue since lawmakers convened the regular legislative session in January. There are those in Olympia for whom that is still not sufficient. They want more and more of your hard-earned money, but we must send a message that enough is enough! Now is the time to provide tax relief to small businesses so that they can create the jobs our recovering economy so desperately needs.

Governor signs Roger Freeman Act to help families in need

Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 2140, which creates a law to help families struggling to pay for court-ordered services. The signing caps an effort that began during the 2014 legislative session under the leadership of the late Rep. Roger Freeman, who passed away last October. Before the bill passed this year, we were able to change its name to the Roger Freeman Act in honor of Freeman’s work.

The new law will prevent the stripping of parental rights from people who are going through chemical-dependency treatment or determined to be financially unable to afford services required by the court. Advocates sought these protections for parental rights to keep families together when going through difficult times.

Representative Freeman was an outstanding person and one of the most-universally liked and respected lawmakers in Olympia. He had a tremendous love for these families that are trying to reunify with their children. This new law, recognizing some of the most difficult challenges faced by families, is a fitting tribute to Representative Freeman and his commitment to protecting the vulnerable in our society – from those in the womb to the elderly, and to those dealing with dependency or financial hardships.

Freeman passed away after a battle with cancer. He is survived by wife Sonya and their two children, who attended the bill signing in Olympia.

Bill would keep indicted state auditor from gaming pension system

As state Auditor Troy Kelley takes time off to defend himself against accusations of lying, cheating and stealing, last week Senate Republicans introduced a bill aimed at making sure he won’t rack up credit toward a state pension. Senate Bill 6123 would block statewide elected officials who are under felony indictment from garnering “service credit” when they take unpaid leave. The prohibition would be lifted if they are acquitted or charges are dropped. The measure ought to eliminate any financial incentive for Kelley to remain on the job while he fights charges in federal court. Kelley is the state official who is responsible for monitoring the financial integrity of state and local government agencies, and investigating allegations of waste, fraud and corruption. Officials of both parties have urged Kelley to resign while he battles charges that he lied under oath, stole $3 million from real-estate clients and evaded roughly $1 million in taxes on the money he allegedly took. Kelley faces trial next year on 10 counts of felony criminal activity, following an indictment last month by a federal grand jury. * * *