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September 6, 2017
Dear
12th District Friends and Neighbors,
The
Legislature has been on “interim” status for several weeks now since our
adjournment in late July. While the next regular session is not scheduled to begin
until January of 2018, I am hopeful about returning to the Capitol sooner than
later to vote on the two issues that still need attention. One is a permanent
solution to the water-access situation caused by the Supreme Court’s Hirst decision, and the
second is approval of a new two-year capital budget. Click
here to view my recent interview with Wenatchee’s NCWLIFE channel, which
includes an update on both topics.
The
Legislature will assemble for two days in mid-November for annual committee
work, which could present an opportunity for voting if agreements are reached
on these issues.
 My recent interview with NCWLIFE News Director Steve Hair.
In and around the
12th District
Being
home from Olympia has allowed me to connect with groups in our community and
take part in activities that make our area such an awesome place to live and
work. For example:
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I
enjoyed my first meeting as a member of the Washington
State Arts Commission on August 1. Coincidentally (and happily) the meeting
was in our district, at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center.
After a morning board discussion about the role of the arts in Washington, I took
part in a panel discussion with Wenatchee World publisher Rufus
Woods, Icicle Arts executive director Rebecca Ryker, and Beth Stipe, executive
director of the Community Foundation of NCW. We shared our insights on what the
arts mean in the Wenatchee Valley region. This was a great opportunity to hear
from a number of other sources about how we as a community can better integrate
art and culture into our economy and lifestyle.
- I
met on August 10 with members of the governing board of the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council
to discuss the 2017 legislative session, which produced a new two-year
transportation budget. The conversation covered the successful team effort that
led to a $2
million appropriation toward replacing the Goodwin Bridge (West Cashmere/US 2) as
well as a look at future projects. I also discussed changes to our state’s
driver licenses aimed at bringing Washington into compliance with federal ID
laws.
- It
was my pleasure to attend the August
15 opening ceremony for Wenatchee’s new city-managed Hale Park Off Leash Recreation
Area. This project came together with the help of many partners and partial
state funding.
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Do
you remember the successful effort in Wenatchee 20 years ago to
create the world’s largest apple pie? I do, and was happy to join in the anniversary
celebration August 16 at the Wenatchee
Valley Museum and Cultural Center.
- I
enjoyed a great conversation about education issues with Wenatchee High School’s
Jon Magnus, who was recently named Regional Teacher of the Year by the North
Central Educational Service District. Jon is preparing for his upcoming
interview for Washington State Teacher of the Year. We wish him the best, and regardless
of the outcome, we are proud of him and the hard work of all teachers in our
region.
- A
fun and informational event for me to attend each year is the Chelan/Douglas County
Farm Bureau BBQ, which was held this year on the evening of August 22. I shared
a table represented by three generations of farmers (son, mother, and
grandparents). I learned a lot that evening, and I thank our farming families
and the officers and board members of our local farm bureaus. I am proud to
have consistently received their “Friend of Farm Bureau” award for my voting
record in support of their issues.
-
The annual Dinner at TwispWorks is
always a fabulous event, and I was honored to attend again this past Sunday.
TwispWorks is a non-profit organization in Twisp that focuses on economic
development, youth programs, and continuing education within the Methow Valley.
The Twisp Public Development Authority, TwispWorks Foundation, and community
volunteers helped renovate and revitalize a former U.S. Forest Service ranger
station from 1929 into the amazing campus it is today, which supports local
schools, artists, businesses and more.
-
It
was my pleasure Monday to attend the “Locals Night” dinner organized by the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board.
The board was developed in 1999 as a forum for collaborative recovery work for
federally-listed salmon and steelhead in the upper Columbia River region. The
board also cares deeply about and is actively working on a number of forest
health initiatives, primarily through the North Central Washington Forest
Health Collaborative. It was great to catch up with them and learn more about
the connection between our forests and fish.
 If you didn’t receive my post-session review in the
mail this past month (or want to refer to it again), click here to open it online.
Thank
you again for the opportunity to serve as your 12th District state senator.
Please contact my office anytime if you have questions.
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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