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February 3, 2016
 Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The past three weeks in Olympia have been filled with committee hearings, education task-force work sessions, stakeholder meetings and visits from folks back home.
I consider these meetings a vital part of my commitment to serving the people of Washington, but I'll bet you can guess which I am the most excited to attend!
After my previous e-newsletter I received some feedback asking for an update on the Legislature's progress toward addressing education funding.
As many of you are aware I serve on the Senate K-12 Education Committee, the Senate McCleary work group, the governor's McCleary task force and was a teacher in my previous life - education is a big deal to me!
My colleagues and I have spent a big chunk of the past year and countless hours during the current session developing a solution that will benefit the children of Washington.
Over the last three years $4.3 billion more has been allocated toward K-12 and the Legislature has been meeting deadlines; I recognize we're not done yet.
The decisions that we make are too important to rush and need to be right. I've said it before, measure twice and cut once!
Right now proposals change frequently as more of my colleagues weigh in, so when there is something concrete to report, I'll be sharing it.
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Felon-early-release scandal update
As I reported in my last e-newsletter, our Senate Majority Coalition Caucus has taken the unusual step of using the Senate’s subpoena power to dig deeper into the Department of Corrections scandal.
To assist us with the investigation, we have retained an outside investigator. Not only will this ensure that this debacle is independently scrutinized, but we hope this will bring answers sooner than later.
A number of Senate offices have received calls and emails from employees with DOC notifying us about poor
management practices witnessed firsthand. To streamline this process, we've launched www.FixDOC.org, an anonymous - if you choose - vehicle for reporting DOC issues. The information gathered will be provided to our investigator as well as the governor's office.
In our neck of the woods is Larch Corrections Center outside of Yacolt. I have visited this facility many times and am always impressed with the professionalism of the staff who deal directly with inmates. These employees have relayed to me many incidents that point to a systemic problem within the upper ranks of DOC. I'm hopeful that this investigation will result in a complete overhaul of this troubled agency.
As more of this story unfolds, I will keep you in the loop.
 Gloria and I at my Senate desk.
Two weeks ago I was thrilled to
sponsor Columbia River High School student, Gloria Boieriu as a student page. Gloria was a hard worker and it was a pleasure to meet her.
If you know a student who would be interested in this
unique opportunity, more information and an application can be found here. As my former pages can tell you, the week in Olympia flies
by quickly. If you have questions regarding openings for this program, my
office may be able to assist you as well.
 Local WSP troopers and members of the state trooper association dropped by my office last week.
I'm sure you guessed correctly above, but seeing friends from home is the best part of my day!
Headed for Olympia? I hope you'll stop by my office for a visit!
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