Dear Friends,
Greetings from Olympia! The 2018
legislative session is underway, and things are already moving along quickly at
the Capitol.
This is a “supplemental” budget
year, meaning the Legislature is tasked with making mid-course corrections to
the 2017-19 budget. We will also be working on a variety of other topics,
including access to well water for rural communities, the needs of our mental
health system, clean nuclear energy and STEM education.
For the first time in five
years, Democrats will control both the Senate and the House (with one-vote
majorities in both chambers), as well as the Governor’s Mansion. We will have
to work harder than ever to make sure that the voice of the Tri-Cities is heard
and that the Legislature works to address the needs of all of Washington.
I was honored to be selected by
my colleagues to offer the Republican perspective on the new session in
response to Gov. Inslee’s State of the State Address. You can watch my full
comments below.
Thank you for the honor of
serving as your state senator. If you have questions about anything in this report,
or anything else related to the Legislature, please give me a call at (360)
786-7614 or send me an e-mail at Sharon.Brown@leg.wa.gov. I always appreciate
hearing from you.
Sincerely,
 Sharon Brown
State Senator
8th District
Lawmakers should work for ALL of Washington
 Click to watch this week's video update!
 Senate Republican leaders discuss 2018 session at media availability.
The number of Senate committees remains the same for 2018 –
12 policy committees and two fiscal (budget) committees – but the new
Democratic majority took away 25 committee positions that were held by
Republicans in 2017, along with restructuring and renaming several committees.
As such, most Republican senators saw major reshuffling of
their committee assignments. I will be serving as the Republican Leader on the
newly constituted Economic Development & International Trade Committee. I
will also be a member of the Energy, Environment & Technology Committee, as
well as the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee.
My top priorities this year will include:
- Jobs – adopting policies that make it easier for
employers to create and maintain jobs in our state, as well as policies that
make Washington more competitive with other states and countries in attracting
employers.
- A responsible budget – adopting a supplemental operating budget that
prioritizes education, lives within our means, balances over 4 years (as
required by law), and maintains the health of our constitutionally-protected
rainy day fund.
- Protecting the most vulnerable – providing sufficient
funding to meet the state’s mental health system needs, as well as providing
support for those with developmental disabilities, senior citizens and our
disabled veterans.
Major issues/legislation I will be working on this year
include:
- SB 6350 - Promoting renewable energy by
advancing the development of geothermal resources;
- SB 5475 - Providing a business and occupation
tax exemption for manufacturers of small modular reactors;
- Legislation fighting human trafficking;
- Defeating the governor’s job-killing new energy
tax on fuel and home heating;
- Supporting STEM education;
- Promotion of remote testimony opportunities for
all Washingtonians; and
- Advancing our Building
Business Eco Systems Act.
Local firefighters visit Olympia
 On
Tuesday, members of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters held their
annual day in Olympia and their 2018 Legislative Reception. I was pleased to
welcome several fire fighters from the Hanford, Richland and Kennewick fire
departments.
It is
always great to see faces from the Tri-Cities here in Olympia. If you or a
group you are associated with is planning a trip to the Capitol, please call my
office and let us know. We would love to see you!
As always, I value
hearing directly from you. I am here to be your voice, and your feedback on
bills before the Senate is very important to me. If you would like to contact me please
write, phone, e-mail, or stop by if you’re in the Olympia area.
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