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Greetings
Friends and Neighbors,
We have reached the half-way point in the 2016 legislative
session. When the Legislature adjourned last July, our state’s budget was
balanced, making critical investments in our state’s K-12 system, investing in
higher education and our state’s safety net. This year, much of our work is
focused on funding K-12 education and addressing the costs of a very active
fire season.
In these even-numbered years the Legislature convenes for
only 60 days to make minor adjustments in the state budget and address pressing
policy issues. The legislative session is scheduled to conclude March 10 and I
am looking forward to finishing on-time with a sustainable budget that makes
the right investments for Washington.
A look at our state’s budget
Washington’s economy is growing and that positive news has
meant a lot for our state’s budget. Last year we were able to fend off plans to raise taxes by over $1 billion. With additional
revenue coming in it seemed irresponsible to spend beyond our means.
The chart above tells an interesting story about our state's four-year budget outlook. As required by law Washington's budget must be balanced over four years. The Legislature adjourned with a strong bipartisan and balanced budget that left $47 million in reserves. As a result of the Governor's veto the budget was in the negative by $23 million. Positive economic news brought an additional $313 million to the state's treasury but costs related to last years active fire season and out of control costs at the states Health Care Authority have resulted in a negative balance for the state. If you include the Governor's policy proposals in his budget the problem becomes even worse. This is the kind of government spending that cannot continue. We need sustainable and responsible budgeting especially when revenue is up more than 10 percent.
Interesting facts about our economy
Although
larger urban areas have seen unemployment drop and other positive economic
news, I am working to make sure this upswing results in more jobs for our area
and opportunities for our local small businesses. I found this report on state economics
interesting. Click
here to learn where our state ranks in the economic recovery.
Washington is a very trade dependent state. In fact we are
the largest per capita exporter according to the state Department of Commerce,
with nearly $90.5 billion in exports. The Washington Council on International
Trade notes that rail is a key component to continued economic prosperity. Our
local farmers depend on rail to move their goods to market, statewide nearly 10
percent of Washington’s gross domestic product relies on freight rail to move
agricultural and even aerospace products to market. All told, this industry
supports over 200,000 jobs in Washington State.
Committee Updates
To keep the legislative process moving, there are critical
milestones throughout the legislative session. We are fast approaching the
first cutoff, which means that policy bills from their house of origin must
receive a public hearing in committee by Feb. 5 to continue in the process. The
committee that I chair, the Senate Agriculture, Water and Rural Economic
Development Committee, has been working extensively on water issues. We learned
a lot from the drought last year and must look at creative and collaborative
ways to address water access, quality and quantity challenges in our state. I
encourage you to take a look at what goes on in my committee with detailed
agendas and documents by clicking
here.
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Education challenges
With nearly half of our state’s $38 billion budget allocated
to K-12 education, the Legislature is still grappling with complex policy
issues around meeting the state’s obligation to fully funding education. The
reality is that student achievement and success is not just about writing
another check. Of particular interest during this legislative session is
addressing how the state compensates teachers. Local districts through their
levies are disproportionately bearing too much of the burden and the state is
looking for ways to take on that aspect of school funding that is fair and
balanced so that the quality of a child’s education isn’t determined by their ZIP
code. There are several proposals being worked on by a group of bipartisan lawmakers.
However, this may be a heavier lift than can be accomplished in this short
legislative session.
In addition to compensation, our state faces teacher and
substitute teacher shortages. Rural and lower income school districts face
challenges recruiting and retaining talented teachers that make all the
difference in a class room. Creating a more fair school funding at the
state level that doesn’t over rely on local property taxes, which varies
greatly between school districts, would go a long way in addressing teacher
recruitment. The Legislature also needs to look at other regulatory issues that
keep educated professionals from entering the teaching profession. Currently a
person with a master’s degree can teach at a community college but without
additional education and certification is unable to teach in our K-12 system.
There must be common sense reforms we can put in place to expand opportunities
in our educator workforce to meet the needs of students in our state.
In Remembrance
Late last week we received news that a former legislator
representing part of our district in Lincoln County passed away. Representative Robert Dale Timm served the 8th
Legislative District in the state House of Representatives from 1951 to 1959. I
did not have the privilege of working with former Rep. Timm but he leaves
behind a lasting legacy of accomplishment and public service. I recall that my
own late mother spoke fondly of many Timm family members with whom she attended grade school. My
thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions regarding state government.
Sincerely,
 Judy Warnick,
13th District Senator
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Contact Me
Olympia Office:
103 Irv Newhouse Bldg.
P.O. Box 40410
Olympia, WA 98504
Olympia Phone:
360.786.7624
E-mail:
Judith.Warnick@leg.wa.gov
Website:
Click here to visit my website.
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