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January 18, 2016
 Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last Monday I returned to Olympia for the start of the 2016 legislative session. While this will be a "short" 60-day session, it is already clear that it will not be "short" on action. I fully expected the Supreme Court's McCleary mandate to take the spotlight, but education funding will have to move over for the Department of Correction's-felon-early-release scandal and the Human Rights Commission's covert decision to allow people to use restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms and so on based on what they claim their gender identity to be.
My office has gotten an earful (and an eyeful in the form of email) on both of those issues. I love that my folks don't hesitate to let me know their thoughts on issues as they arise. Keep the emails and calls coming!
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 Felon-release scandal at DOC
The premature release of thousands of felons from our state prisons - what the Department of Corrections and the governor keep trying to refer to as an "error" - is really more accurately described as a scandal. The fact that the top brass at DOC was well aware that dangerous felons were being released into our communities before their prison sentences were completed points to a culture of apathy that appears to exist with the higher-ups at DOC.
Last Monday our Senate Law and Justice Committee questioned the DOC chief, and quite frankly we were all disappointed by his inability to answer questions as well as the agency’s withholding of information. As a result the chair and vice chair of the committee are taking the unusual step of using the Senate’s subpoena power to investigate the scandal further.
While a subpoena is rarely used, it is within the Senate’s authority and would ensure this fiasco is investigated more quickly than the governor's "independent" former federal prosecutors that answer to his office. I want to be sure that we have this resolved before lawmakers leave the Capitol.
Two Washington residents have died because felons did not fully serve their sentences. This breach of the public trust is unacceptable. I will keep you posted as my colleagues and I demand answers.
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Thanks for coming out to see me!
Recently I hosted three town halls throughout our community. I sincerely appreciate every single person who came out to see me - whether they asked tough questions or just thanked me for my service. Getting to hear directly from my friends and neighbors is one of my favorite parts of being a legislator!
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