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March 29, 2016
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This
morning, as I was heading to the Senate floor for the last budget votes of this session, I passed this beautiful saucer magnolia just outside
the entrance of the Legislative Building. We refer to it as the "sine
die" tree because it is typically in full bloom just as lawmakers reach
the end of the short 60-day session.
It took us an additional 20 days, but
the final product was well worth the extra time. Please continue reading to learn more details about the supplemental operating budget.
No new taxes in bipartisan budget deal
Since the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus was formed in 2012,
the budget news I report each year sounds a lot the same: no new taxes,
bipartisan and balances over four years. And this year is no different.
Although it took longer to reach an agreement with the House of
Representatives than I would have liked, the end result is a true supplemental
budget.
While spending increases were restrained, they address the greatest
needs of Washington residents. In fact, this is the lowest non-recession
spending budget this century.
Some of the highlights include:
- Uses $190 million of the rainy day fund, only for covering the cost of fighting the 2015
wildfires.
- Funding for public charter schools.
- Additional funding for state colleges to retain the historic tuition cut of 2015.
- Significant reforms to the Health Care Authority to provide
cost savings and oversight in the future.
- Western State Hospital improvements to increase quality
of care and safety for patients and staff.
- Increases home visits and oversight for people with
developmental disabilities at highest risk for abuse; creates new
developmental disability ombudsman.
- Supported overtime pay for home health care
providers, with a limit on totals the Senate fought for in
order to reduce significant future budget liabilities.
 From left to right, Andy Tran, Ella Williams, Laura Bell and I at the Senate rostrum
Thanks to my outstanding office staff
As the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, my office is extremely busy, particularly during the legislative session. That's why I so appreciated the excellent work done by my executive assistant, Laura Bell, my legislative assistant, Ella Williams, and intern, Andy Tran.
Laura Bell has been in my office since my first day in the state Senate and has been indispensable to me. Those of you who have called or visited my office know first hand how friendly and helpful she is. Consequently it is with mixed feelings I wish to congratulate her on a new position with the Secretary of the Senate's office.
You can expect to receive the same friendly service from Tawnya Smith, my new executive assistant, that you've been accustomed to over the past nine years.
In
closing...
I hope you find my Olympia Update informative and that you
will continue to contact
me with your thoughts, opinions and concerns about state or district
issues. Your opinion is of great value to me. It truly remains my honor to
serve you in the Washington State Senate.
Sincerely,
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