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April 25, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Due to election year restrictions, this will be the final email newsletter. 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. Serving you in the State Senate has been the greatest honor of my professional life.
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 short 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.
 Thank you to Wenatchee Valley College President Faimous Harrison for supporting the passage of my Senate Bill 5670, a “Walking Start to Running Start” this session. To read more about this bill, visit the Wenatchee World, NCWLIFE, and NCW.News.
Apple Blossom Royalty visit Capitol
During this year’s 60-day legislative session, I always enjoyed seeing individuals and groups from the 12th District who came to Olympia, so it was a special treat for me to meet with the 2024 Apple Blossom Royal Court during their visit to the Capitol. This year’s Royal Court includes Queen Ella Stimmel, Princess Jenissa Hepton, and Princess Lexie Fennell. These ladies did an outstanding job representing the Wenatchee Valley during their visit to the State Capitol. Their friendliness, pose, and professionalism were very impressive. Many thanks to everyone in the Wenatchee Valley who helped make our annual festival a big success every year. This year is the 105th year of the festival.
 I was honored to host our Apple Blossom royalty at the State Capitol this session. This year’s Royal Court (from left to right) is composed of Princess Lexie Fennell, Queen Ella Stimmel, and Princess Jenissa Hepton. These ladies were so fun, friendly, and well-spoken. They did an awesome job representing the Wenatchee Valley. This year’s festival will take place April 25 – May 5.
Leavenworth housing project funded
Working alongside officials and local organizations to address key issues impacting your community has been my honor. As you may know, the recently approved capital budget update includes my $1.3 million request to complete Upper Valley MEND’s Affordable Rental Project in Leavenworth. The Marson Family gave Upper Valley MEND a unique opportunity to preserve 31 apartment units for affordable workforce housing. The organization has already received $600,000 from Leavenworth, $860,000 from Chelan County, and $1 million from the state. The $1.3 million secured closes the final funding gap for the project. Local officials have been working together to seek affordable housing solutions in recent years. In 2022, I partnered with the City of Leavenworth, Chelan County, and Upper Valley MEND to secure passage of my Senate Bill 5868, which allows counties to utilize their existing .09 sales tax dollars for affordable housing infrastructure or facilities. Chelan County has been utilizing this new authority to support project funding as part of its Cascade Public Infrastructure Fund.
 I have enjoyed working with Leavenworth Mayor Carl Florea and the City of Leavenworth on affordable housing issues. In 2022, we partnered with Chelan County to approve my Senate Bill 5868 to help communities like Leavenworth. I have also enjoyed working closely with Upper Valley MEND to support housing solutions in Leavenworth.
 Thank you to the City of Leavenworth for recognizing me and approving Res. 06-2024 at its April 9 Council Meeting. I appreciate your kind words and support. To view the full page, click here.
 I was proud to lead the Senate’s confirmation of Chelan County’s JC Baldwin to the Washington State Transportation Commission this session. Governor Inslee appointed Commissioner Baldwin in August and her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on Feb. 12. To view JC’s Senate confirmation, click here.
Senate Honors WHS Volleyball
I was proud to host the Wenatchee High School Girls Volleyball team at the State Capitol to celebrate their historic State Championship from last November. The team visited with Governor Inslee, me, and Representatives Steele and Goehner, and they were honored in the Senate. Winning the state championship is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations to athletic director Jim Beeson, Coach Jordan McGregor-Hansen, and her staff, players, and families. This victory will be remembered for decades at WHS. The lessons learned from playing sports (hard work, dedication, and determination) can extend to all aspects of people’s lives. I wish these girls the very best in the years ahead, on and off the court.
 Congratulations to the State Champion Wenatchee High School Girls Volleyball Team.
 Players gathered in the Senate Chambers for a fun selfie to celebrate their Capitol visit.
Click the links to watch the videos honoring WHS Volleyball:
TVW Video of Resolution approval (Feb. 20, 2024)
Resolution 8651 Approval – WHS Girls Volleyball Team
Senator Hawkins interview with WHS Girls Volleyball Team
WHS Volleyball Team Meets Governor Inslee
Wenatchee Valley Skills Center – $14.5 million
 The Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center received $14.5 million for its renovations and expansion, making the project one of the most significant items in the supplemental capital budget.
This year’s capital budget placed a special focus on K-12 school facilities. Like the increased matching funds, funding for skills centers was a top K-12 priority because they equip regional students with technical job skills. Students completing skills center programs can enter the workforce with healthy earnings. The Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center received $14.5 million for its renovations and expansion, making it one of the most significant projects funded in the budget.
 I am a proud supporter of our Lake Chelan communities. Throughout the legislative session, I joined KOZI’s Jeff Conwell each week from Olympia to report on activities. To listen to our “session recap” interview, click here – KOZI Interview.
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:
- 5670 Summer Running Start (2024)
- 5001 Public Facilities (2023)
- 5868 Affordable Housing (2022)
- 5158 Utility Wildfire Prevention (2021)
- 5000 Hydrogen Vehicles (2021)
- 6032 Washington Apples License Plate (2020)
- 5588 Renewable Hydrogen (2019)
- 6055 Leavenworth Pilot Project (2018)
- 6211 Natural Resources Accounts (2018)
- 5270 Timber Practices (2017)
- 5649 Transportation Planning (2017)
- 5546 Forest Health Plan (2017)
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
Serving as your State Senator is a tremendous honor and I am so grateful you gave me the opportunity. 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.
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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