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May 2, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Due to election year restrictions, this will be the final email newsletter I will send you for the year. As you know, I pride myself on maintaining good communications with you and appreciate our correspondence, but legislators are prohibited from sending any mailings or newsletters in the coming months. In the meantime, you can review my email newsletter archive or any additional information on my website. Looking back on the past year, there were some highlights to share, so I hope you find this final newsletter helpful.
Legislature session adjourns on schedule
The Washington State Legislature adjourned its 60-day session on March 7 as scheduled. The session was a busy time as I continued as the Ranking Member of the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. This committee was very involved with school construction, special education, bus transportation, and staff compensation proposals.
 The Washington State Legislature adjourned its 60-day session on March 7. The next legislative session will begin on January 13, 2025.
State budget “updates” approved
In accordance with our state constitution, the Legislature alternates between longer and shorter sessions based on when the state’s two-year budgets are developed. This session was a short session because the budgets were approved last year for the 2023-25 biennium. The main focus for this year was making adjustments and modifications to the previously approved budgets. After much public process and discussion, all three budget updates, also known as “supplemental” budgets, were approved. The adjusted operating budget ($71.9 billion), transportation budget ($14.6 billion), and capital budget ($10.3 billion) were finalized over the final days of the session. I voted against the operating budget update but for the transportation and capital budget updates.
 The operating budget is the largest of the three state budgets. It funds the day-to-day operations of the state, including K-12 education, higher education, healthcare, and other services.
Initiatives to the Legislature
Several initiatives were filed with the legislature this session. These proposals related to police pursuits, income taxes, parental rights, long-term care, capital gains tax, and the Climate Commitment Act. The first three initiatives were approved, but the legislature took no action to repeal the long-term care program, capital gains tax, or the Climate Commitment Act. Those measures will advance directly to the people in November for a statewide vote. In addition to the initiatives and budget updates, other significant bills were debated and approved. These included adjustments to education, energy, agriculture, law and justice, environment, childcare, human services, healthcare, housing, and higher education laws. It was a fast-paced session with many long days, but much was accomplished in just 60 days.
My Senate Bill 5670 signed into law
I’m pleased to share that my Senate Bill 5670 was one of a few bills approved this session. Running Start is a free tuition “dual credit” program for 11th and 12th graders, first implemented in the 1990s to allow students to earn college credits while in high school. My Senate Bill 5670, first introduced in the 2023 session, was approved this year. It expands Running Start opportunities by allowing students who have completed 10th grade but haven’t yet started 11th grade to earn up to 10 credits during the summer. I intend to help students ease into their college experience, minimize debt, and get closer to their degrees. I call it a “Walking Start” to Running Start. It is the first major expansion of the program in several years and was signed by the Governor on March 18. My bill was featured in the statewide news article below, which discussed this new opportunity for students:
Washington’s incoming high school juniors will be allowed to enroll in college courses this summer Lawmakers this year expanded the state’s popular Running Start program. (Washington State Standard, April 15)
 My Senate Bill 5670 was approved this year. It expands the popular Running Start program by allowing students who have completed 10th grade but haven’t yet started 11th grade to earn up to 10 credits during the summer.
Monroe officials visit Capitol
I appreciate the opportunity to represent the community of Monroe and have worked hard with your officials to ensure support for the city when developing budgets and policies. After the state adjusted legislative district boundaries, I was nervous about representing a new area. However, your city officials, school board, and community members graciously welcomed me. Together, we have already secured positive benefits for Monroe. I look forward to continued communications with the officials and community members to ensure Monroe’s priorities are reflected in state decisions.
 I enjoyed welcoming the Monroe City Council to the Senate chambers this session. This photo includes council members Kyle Fisher, Kirk Scarboro, myself, Kevin Hanford, Heather Fulcher, Jacob Walker, and Tami Beaumont.
 “Finishing 522” is a top priority and should have been completed years ago. The design will widen SR 522 between Monroe and Maltby and add an interchange at Paradise Lake Road and Maltby Road.
So far, $31 million has been appropriated to the project. Activities include design, engineering, and right-of-way acquisition. This funds $15 million in 2023-2025 and $16 million in 2025-2027. Construction could cost $260 million and receive funding in 2025 when the Legislature approves new transportation investments.
Honoring the Mt. Si Cross Country Team
I was proud to host the Mt. Si Girls Cross Country team at the State Capitol. We celebrated their 4A State Cross Country Championship in November. Congratulations to Coach Steven Crane and the team for winning their first-ever State Championship. The 4A classification features the top runners in Washington. Supporters visiting the Capitol included coaches, Snoqualmie Valley School District staff, Mayor Mary Miller of North Bend, and Washington Interscholastic Activities Association officials. The Senate approved Resolution 8650 in honor of the team. For more information on the team’s visit, click here.
Click the links to watch the following videos:
Television Washington Video of Resolution approval (Jan. 31, 2024)
Tribute Video to Mt. Si Girls Cross Country Team and Resolution 8650
Senator Hawkins interviews Mt. Si Girls Cross Country Team
 Congratulations to Coach Steven Crane and the Mt. Si Girls Cross Country team for winning their first ever 4A Cross Country State Championship last November. I was proud to host the team at the State Capitol and help coordinate their honoring by the State Senate.
SR 203/Tolt Hill Road Roundabout
Significant improvements are needed along State Route 202 near Fall City and State Route 203 near Carnation. Recent State Route 203 and Tolt Hill Road intersection accidents have caused increased concerns. The Washington State Department of Transportation has recently implemented many short-term safety enhancements, and the community is now seeking a long-term solution and funding. At the State Capitol, Carnation Mayor Jim Ribail, Councilmember Jessica Merizan, and others joined me to make a strong case for funding. The meeting I hosted included the 12th District legislators, Transportation Committee leaders, City of Carnation officials, Snoqualmie Tribe, Remlinger Farms, Sno Valley Chamber, King County Councilmember Sarah Perry, and others. I look forward to continuing to advocate for improvements to the entire State Route 202/203 corridor so that residents near Fall City, North Bend, Carnation, and Duvall can get the safety and traffic flow benefits needed.
 I have been working closely with City of Carnation officials, Snoqualmie Tribe, Remlinger Farms, Sno Valley Chamber, King County Councilmember Sarah Perry, WSDOT, and others to identify possible improvements and funding to a busy and increasingly dangerous intersection near Carnation.
Thank you, City of Sultan!
As the Senator for a portion of Sultan, I appreciate the many helpful communications I have had with Mayor Wiita, the Sky Valley Chamber, and others about important issues. Sultan officials continue to show strong leadership in identifying a solution to congestion and safety issues along Highway 2. The city supports an improvement plan with several components to be completed as funding is acquired. This plan includes replacing the Wagley Creek Bridge and fish culvert and adding a two-lane roundabout at Sultan Basin Road and Highway 2. The design also includes other elements, such as roundabouts at Old Owen Road and Main Street and expanding the highway to four lanes. The Legislature anticipates developing a new transportation plan during its 2025 session.
 I enjoy discussing city priorities with your officials. Pictured above are Councilmember Heidi Dawson, City Administrator Tyler Christian, Mayor Russell Wiita, and myself in the Senate Chambers.
 Thank you, City of Sultan, for presenting me with this “Certificate of Appreciation.”
I was proud to support the updated capital budget because it offers many benefits to our district. Approving the budgets is a major focus every time the Legislature convenes. With the three budgets approved and updated for the 2023-2025 biennium, lawmakers will not likely meet again in session until January 2025. The Legislature's makeup could differ depending on new members taking office, but I anticipate the capital budget will continue to be a bipartisan effort.
Work continues on Hwy 18 near North Bend
 A new interchange at I-90 and SR 18 near North Bend will improve safety and traffic flow. This phase of the project also includes widening two miles of SR 18 to Issaquah/Hobart Road.
 I serve on the Senate Transportation Committee and supported the recent “Move Ahead Washington” transportation plan. It includes widening five miles of SR 18 from Issaquah/Hobart Road to Deep Creek over Tiger Mountain.
History of bipartisan bills
Passing bills in the Legislature is a very complicated process. I’m grateful to have had success and positive working relationships on both sides of the aisle. This has helped me better serve our district over the years. Below is a list of my Senate bills approved, with the addition of this year’s “Walking Start to Running Start” bill that allows students who have completed 10th grade but haven’t yet started 11th grade to earn 10 college credits during their summer. It worked on the bill for two years and was challenging to pass, but I’m grateful it did. You can review this bill and the others in the links below.
My Senate bills approved:
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5670 Summer Running Start (2024)
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5001 Public Facilities (2023)
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5868 Affordable Housing (2022)
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5158 Utility Wildfire Prevention (2021)
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5000 Hydrogen Vehicles (2021)
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6032 Washington Apples License Plate (2020)
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5588 Renewable Hydrogen (2019)
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6055 Leavenworth Pilot Project (2018)
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6211 Natural Resources Accounts (2018)
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5270 Timber Practices (2017)
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5649 Transportation Planning (2017)
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5546 Forest Health Plan (2017)
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
Serving as your State Senator is a tremendous honor and my position as State Senator exists to help you. If you have any questions about state issues, please get in touch with me at senatorbradhawkins.org or call our Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 if you need immediate assistance at any time.
Be sure to like and follow me on Facebook for my latest updates.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,
 Brad Hawkins
State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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