July 3, 2024 | Volume 2, Issue 6 | Interim
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Independence Day!
Many of us will celebrate the holiday by cooking outdoors with our families, enjoying various water-based activities in our area, or visiting some of the great wineries in our district.
The Fourth of July weekend is filled with a number of fun and patriotic activities. Your family can enjoy the floats at the Grand Old 4th of July Parade in Pasco -- a day-long event that includes a fun run, car show, pre-parade kids street dance and more, followed by a spectacular fireworks show at night. The Little Miss Prosser Pageant will also be taking place, along with a host of other events. If you have not solidified your family's plans for the Fourth, you can find a few additional ideas below.
As a first-generation American Latina, Independence Day has always been special to me. Both of my parents were born in Mexico, before meeting as migrants in California. After my brother was born, they decided to move to Washington because they heard there were more jobs here. Thanks to that decision, I had the honor of growing up in East Pasco -- in the greatest country on Earth.
Despite not having much formal education, my parents were very smart, and like most migrant families, they wanted more for their children. They wanted me to get an education and make the most of the American Dream.
My parents pushed me to be my best, and led by example. They worked hard during the day, and then in the evenings they studied for their citizenship tests. At just 8 years old, I was their translator and enjoyed learning about the great history and traditions of this country as I helped them prepare. They finally became United States citizens thanks to President Reagan, and I couldn't have been more proud.
Thing like equal justice and due process were among the American principles of which I learned. The right to counsel and a fair and speedy trial are still issues I am working hard to protect today. You can read more about those efforts below also.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate the Fourth, I hope you will take time to thank a veteran or current service member for protecting our freedoms, and have a fun and safe time enjoying the liberties they have helped secure.
Sincerely,
 Sen. Nikki Torres
R-15th District
In The News:
Public defender shortage is a WA crisis that requires local and state action
By The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board
 The local justice system is in crisis.
Recent incidents highlight the troubling trend. Police arrest someone. That person is charged with serious crimes. Then that person winds up back on the streets because there aren’t enough public defense attorneys to represent him.
...This month, Benton County Superior Court Judge Diana Ruff ordered the bail eliminated for six suspects because they didn’t have legal representation for a lengthy period.
They are innocent until proven guilty, but the crimes they are accused of include burglary, various sexual offenses and rape.
...Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, has proposed multiple bills to address the problem, but they have faced strong headwinds in the Democrat-controlled Washington Legislature.
One of her bills would have had the state cover half of the cost of public defense by 2028 and would have directed the Office of Public Defense to recommend other reforms for the Legislature to consider. Another bill would have recreated an Indigent Defense Task Force to evaluate the defender shortage. Both bills failed in committee.
A third bill passed and was signed by the governor. It prioritizes funding for training public defenders and prosecutors who will work in rural areas.
Click here to read the full editorial.
Audio:
Torres says public defender shortage is a crisis
 People charged with serious crimes are being released due to a shortage of public defenders. Tracy Ellis reports in the Elephant in the Dome Podcast. Click here to listen now!
Wave of new laws take effect in Washington state
by Chelsea Hylton, KOMO News Staff | July 1, 2024
 Franklin County Prosecutor Shawn Sant, State Sen. Nikki Torres (R-15th District), and Franklin County Administrator Mike Gonzalez worked during the 2024 Session to pass legislation aimed at addressing the shortage of prosecutors and public defenders.
Multiple laws went into effect in Washington state Monday including allowing punishment for "stealthing" and creating an opioid prevention and treatment account for Tribal communities.
...The law created by Senate Bill 6099 establishes the Tribal Opioid Prevention and Treatment Account (TOPTA) to address the opioid epidemic in tribal communities. The account will be in the custody of the State Treasurer.
The money must be used towards recovery services, treatment programs, awareness campaigns, education, medication-assisted treatments, and support for first responders.
Starting in July 2025, the annual minimum transfer from the treasurer “greater of $7.75 million or 20% of settlement receipts from the prior fiscal year from the Opioid Abatement Settlement Account to TOPTA.”
Click here to read more.
Breaching Snake River dams could drop reservoirs, groundwater levels by 100 feet
By Tim Clouser | The Center Square | July 1, 2024
 As the Biden administration attempts to gain support for breaching hydroelectric dams in Washington, state and federal agencies are preparing for a study on the potential implications.
The Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation held two virtual meetings last week to mull over the process and answer questions. The study is one of many commitments made by the Biden Administration in December over decades of litigation regarding Columbia River System Operations.
Some commitments include considering a future without many of the region’s hydroelectric dams. This study aims to “address the irrigation, municipal, and industrial withdrawals associated with the potential breach of the four LSR dams.”
“Generally, if one or more of the four lower Snake [River] dams were to be breached,” said Ron Fehringer, a program manager with the consulting partner Jacobs Engineering Group, “the reservoirs and the groundwater that provides access to water … around the dams could be lowered by roughly 100 feet.”
The first two phases of the study will take place this summer and examine the direct impacts on stakeholders, including the agricultural community, which was largely excluded from the litigation process.
Click here to read the full article.
Independence Day activities across the district
 Celebrate the Grand Old 4th of July in Pasco!
There is a spectacular lineup of events at the Grand Old 4th of July Celebration in Pasco! Here’s what’s happening:
Thursday, July 4: A Day Full of Festivities
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Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast: Fuel up with a delicious breakfast at Memorial Park from 7:00 am to 11:00 am.
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Camp Patriot Fun Run: Join the fun run starting at 8:00 am in the Gesa Stadium area.
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Pre-Parade Kids Street Dance: Kids can dance their hearts out at 9:15 am at Memorial Park on 14th Avenue.
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Grand Old 4th of July Parade: Don’t miss the exciting parade at 10:00 am, now with a new extended route!
Afternoon Fun
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Camp Patriot Show & Shine Car Show: From 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, enjoy classic cars and fun contests and games at Memorial Park, with contests starting at 1:00 pm.
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Cardboard Regatta: Watch or participate in this fun race from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Memorial Aquatic Park.
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Wet/Dry Inflatables: Have a blast with wet and dry inflatables starting at 12:00 pm at Memorial Park.
Grand Finale
The day concludes with the Grand Old 4th of July Fireworks Show at the Pasco Sporting Complex. Gates open at 6:30 pm, and the spectacular show begins at 10:00 pm.
For more details on all the events, visit www.pasco-wa.gov/grandold4th. Celebrate with us and make this 4th of July unforgettable in Pasco!
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The Sunnyside Lions Club invites all community members to their “spectacular” Independence Day Celebration on Thursday, July 4 at Sunnyside High School’s Clem Senn Field on 16th Street.
by Ileana Martinez | Sunnyside Sun
Continuing a tradition since 1976, the event will feature a lineup of food trucks including Jesse’s Smokken Hot Meatz, according to Lions Club Secretary Sherre Holden. Those in attendance can also shop with a variety of pop-up vendors offering face painting, flower arrangements and 4th of July trinkets.
Activities will include watermelon and hot dog eating contents, coloring contests, grass bowling, corn hole, and kids’ bingo. DJ Nune will keep the atmosphere lively with music throughout the event.
Keeping with tradition, the Lower Valley Honor Guard is set to march out to the 50-yard line for their 21-Gun Salute and followed by special guest speaker Yakima County Commissioner LaDon Linde.
The Sunnyside Lions Club is anticipating more than 1,000 community members entering gate to celebrate America’s 248th birthday.
All ages are welcome to attend free of charge. Donations are accepted at the gate. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. The fireworks display will begin at dusk. For more information, call Sherre Holden at 509-305-1278.
In Grandview, residents will honor their historic patriotic past by gathering downtown at the Bren Plaza at 9 a.m. for the 47th annual Flag Raising Ceremony. Mayor Ashley Lara will deliver the welcoming address. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. The event is hosted by the American Legion in partnership with the Mainstreet Grandview Association.
In Prosser, the Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration will open with a classic car show at 10 a.m. at Prosser City Park, 1301 Sommers Ave. A kid’s parade will start at 10:30 a.m. and travel from the County Courthouse to City Park. At noon, the Little Miss Prosser Pageant will begin on the Sylvan Stage followed by performances from the Prosser Community Band.
The celebration will also feature old-fashioned games and a barbecue, with the fireworks display at Housel Middle School presented by Prosser Rotary. The show begins at dusk, weather permitting.
Stay in touch!
 While the legislative session might be over, the work of me and my staff will continue throughout the rest of the year, as we prepare legislation for the 2025 Session.
Our office stands ready to assist you throughout the year. If you need any assistance or have questions about state government, please get in touch with me and my office!
It is a privilege to serve as your State Senator.
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