There's a better way...

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Sharon Brown

Dear Friends,

It's been a busy week, and it's not quite over yet. We are still on the Senate floor today (yes, Holy Saturday), voting on bills and debating key issues about the future of our state.

There are just three weeks left in the regular 2021 legislative session. We are approaching some important deadlines, including April 11, which is the last day for the Senate and House to consider each other’s bills. Bills that will be referenced in the budget are exempt from this deadline. The regular session is scheduled to end by Sunday, April 25.  

As always, if there is anything I can do for you, please write, call or send me an e-mail.

It’s an honor to serve you in Olympia.

Sincerely,

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Sharon Brown
State Senator
8th District

This Week's Video Update:

TVW's Legislative Review for the week of March 29-April 2

Legislative Review

Click the image above to watch TVW's Legislative Review, which features legislative highlights from the week of March 29 - April 2, 2021.

Energy Update:

Leading on nuclear

Bown on nuclear

As you know, one of my top priorities in the Legislature has been promoting nuclear energy, including securing a $500,000 state Department of Commerce grant to study the issue. The grant, awarded to the Tri-City Development Council, funded a site analysis of Hanford as a possible location for a new federal SMR.

The study found that siting an SMR at the Washington Nuclear Power Plant Unit No. 1 site at Hanford would benefit from existing infrastructure and licensing documentation, including a previously issued Nuclear Regulatory Commission construction license. The study also highlighted that an “SMR would offer a carbon-free base load alternative to offset generation fluctuations associated with wind energy and future solar plants.” The region’s nuclear-trained workforce would also be a plus.

As I said at the time, this is an opportunity for Washington to be a true world leader in an emerging sector.

The real benefit would be the assembly or manufacturing of SMRs and shipping the module parts to many parts of the world. 

According to one leading developer of SMR technology, establishing Washington as a key partner in SMR deployment would:

  • Make Washington a potential “desired location” for supply chain members;
  • Create approximately 1,000 construction jobs at peak, for a duration of 2-3 years;
  • Produce 360 full-time plant-operation jobs at average annual salaries of $85,000; and
  • Result in indirect economic benefits and associated job multipliers.

Advanced nuclear reactor proposed in Washington state

Associated Press | April 2, 2021

xenergy

The TRi Energy Partnership will build an advanced nuclear power plant north of Richland at an existing Energy Northwest site.

Energy leaders announced a new partnership for the development of the country's first advanced nuclear reactor, right here in the Tri-Cities.

Energy Northwest, Grant County Public Utility District (PUD) and X-energy LLC are working together to build a Xe-100 advanced nuclear power plant north of Richland at an existing Energy Northwest site.

"Tri-Cities will continue its role as leaders not only in the United States, but the world, relative to nuclear generation," Brad Sawatzke, Energy Northwest chief executive officer said.

Once completed, the plant can generate up to 320 megawatts of carbon-free energy. That's enough to power about 400,000 homes.

Click here to learn more.

Budget Update:

Democrats pass bloated budget that includes new taxes

Republicans offer a better way

floor

This week, Senate Democrats held a debate and vote on their $59 billion, two-year budget spending proposal. The budget assumes the enactment of an income tax on capital gains, which has has already passed the Senate and awaits a vote in the House. 

During the floor debate on the budget, Senate Republicans introduced several amendments, including a "striking amendment," that would have replaced their entire budget with our no-new-tax Republican alternative. Our budget would bring much-needed property-tax relief, unprecedented support for Washington manufacturing, and finally an end to the upward spiral of the state gas tax.

budget

Click on the chart to view it full size.

Unfortunately, Democrats refused to adopt this better approach, and instead passed their budget without a single Republican vote. 

All is not lost. The initial passage of the Senate's budget proposal is just the beginning of the process, which will include days of negotiations before a final budget is adopted. 

During this time I will continue to fight for common sense solutions, relief for taxpayers and responsible, sustainable budgeting that protects our most vulnerable. 

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PLEASE NOTE: Any email or documents you provide to this office may be subject to disclosure under RCW 42.56. If you would prefer to communicate by phone, please contact Sen. Brown's office at (360) 786-7614.

April 3, 2021

Stay Connected

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Office Phone:

360-786-7614

 

Toll-Free:

800-562-6000

 

Address:

202 Newhouse Building
P.O. Box 40408
Olympia, WA 98504-0408