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Jan. 19, 2017
 Talking with Sen. Dino Rossi of Sammamish, who stepped down in 2003 to run for governor but is back just for the 2017 session. He was appointed to succeed the late Sen. Andy Hill until this year's general election, and I look forward to working with him while he's here.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The response to my first e-newsletter as 12th District senator was very
positive – thank you! If you have friends or neighbors in our district who might
like to subscribe (click here
for the link), I hope you will forward this second installment to them.
With all of the opening-week traditions behind us, this second week found Senate
and House members settling into our committee work. Tuesdays and Thursdays are
my busiest days, when all three of my committees meet; our transportation
committee also met on the other days.
My Senate office saw a steady stream of visitors when I was not in committee
or leadership meetings, and I appreciate that so many people from our district
braved the weather this week to come and meet with me. When it comes to my
calendar I always give priority to my constituents, so please let my office
know if you plan to be in Olympia.
New budgets are high on to-do list
for 2017
The Legislature used to meet only in odd-numbered years, so it adopted budgets that
covered two years at a time. That “biennial” (meaning two years) approach to budgeting
has continued even though we now meet annually. In even-numbered years we look
at the existing budgets, as they near their halfway point, to make any
necessary adjustments. The length of our session is based on the budget: 105
days when we need to agree on new plans, as is the case for this year, and 60
days when we are making revisions to the budgets passed the previous year.
When most people speak of the state budget, they mean the operating budget
that pays for the day-to-day services and programs, including education. There
are two other budgets, however. One is the capital budget has to do with the
state’s physical assets, such as buildings and land. The other is the
transportation budget, which pays for roads and transit and most of the
Washington State Patrol’s costs. As a member of our transportation committee, I
will be working on the Senate’s proposed transportation budget for 2017-19.
Can we end the session on time? Yes
The governor proposes an operating budget each December for the incoming
Legislature to consider. His latest proposal again calls for big tax increases
and uses our public schools as the reason. I have seen this movie before – in
2013 and 2015. In both cases, the push by our governor and others for higher
taxes reflected a deep philosophical divide that forced the legislative session
into overtime. Instead of adjourning in late April, as scheduled,
the 2013 session did not end until June 29 that year, and the 2015 session went
even longer -- to July 10.
The mix of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House is almost the
same this year as in those two budget years. However, our Senate Majority
Coalition Caucus has more experience at the budget-negotiating table now than in
2015 or 2013. This could translate into
a more successful outcome this year. I am hopeful that we will wrap up the
budgets and our other work within the 105 days allowed under the state
constitution.
Senate majority acts to protect
taxpayers
The governor’s budget proposal for 2017-19 includes big new tax increases – he wants a
new tax on income from “capital gains,” and a new tax on energy, and higher
taxes on companies that provide services. I find the capital-gains income tax
and the higher business taxes to be especially distasteful, because they really
target the small employers who represent the economic backbone of our state. I
am encouraged that the state's revenue collections (using existing tax rates) are forecast to run $2.7 billion
ahead of the original projections. As a result, I favor holding the line on
taxes and allowing the economy to continue growing, while continuing to make
new investments for schools and other priorities.
For that reason, I joined my fellow members of the Senate majority this past
week to approve a rule that requires a two-thirds majority vote, not just a
simple-majority vote, to move tax-increase bills to a final vote in the Senate.
It does not prevent tax increases but makes them more difficult to approve and
sends a strong message about our desire to protect taxpayers from needless increases.
Optimistic about progress on wildfire
policy
Although the signs of winter are all around, especially back home, I am already
working to improve state government’s approach to wildfire management. Serving
as vice chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee and a member
of the legislative “Fire Caucus” gave me two opportunities this week to engage
with Hilary Franz, the state’s new commissioner of public lands. The degree of
cooperation we receive from her agency (the Department of Natural Resources)
will influence the amount of progress we make on wildfire policies. I am
encouraged by her level of energy and interest in improving the health of our
forests.
Also, our district has benefited from an ongoing community conversation about
wildfire thanks to a dedicated group of local leaders who are helping to
influence state policy on wildfire. I look forward to sharing more information
with you soon about their recent visit to Olympia.
Senate updates -- Tuesday mornings on KOHO Radio
I discussed the budget situation and much more during an interview with Wenatchee's KOHO
Radio this past Tuesday. I will be on the air with KOHO at 7:30 a.m. each Tuesday to
provide a Senate update. I hope you will be able to listen in. You can click here
to listen to the latest interview.
Thank you for the opportunity to
serve you!
It is my great privilege to serve as your state senator. If you have any
questions or comments, please contact my office anytime using the information
below. If you are planning a trip to Olympia and would like to visit the
Capitol Building, I would be happy to connect with you or your group when you
are here.
I encourage you to share this newsletter with friends and family; they may subscribe using the information below my contact information. Thank you for allowing me to represent you in Olympia!
Sincerely,
Brad Hawkins
State Senator
Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
E-mail:
brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
107 Newhouse Building
- P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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