Bridges

Fairness for taxpayers
February 22, 2017
Today the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus welcomed two friends who were in town – Congressman Dan Newhouse and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The two federal lawmakers briefed us on the very active agenda back in the other Washington, including steps being taken to reduce needless regulations and help job-creation. I am... Read More...
Nuclear bills beat committee deadline
February 15, 2017
This week in Olympia saw several packed committee meetings as we quickly approach the Friday deadline for bills to be advanced out of the Senate’s 12 policy committees. Many of the nuclear- and emerging energy bills that I have introduced not only received hearings last week, but were also approved... Read More...
Senate energy committee to hear nuclear bills on Tri-Cities Day
February 08, 2017
We have now wrapped up 31 days of the legislative session, or nearly a third of the 105 days allowed. Tomorrow will be a big day for legislation important to our district. The full Senate met during this fifth week to approve several non-controversial bills, and this morning, we met... Read More...
Senate education plan a big win for Tri-Cities
February 01, 2017
We are now in the fourth week of the 2017 legislative session, and it has been an eventful time. A big challenge for this year’s session is reaching an education-funding agreement that meets the demands of the Supreme Court’s McCleary ruling. Please keep reading for more information about the Senate... Read More...
DNR admits agency ‘messed up’
January 25, 2017
The third week of the 2017 legislative session is off to a busy start, full of committee hearings, meetings on emerging issues and discussions about how best to address the education-funding challenges related to the Supreme Court’s McCleary ruling. We also received some updated budget numbers from the state Economic... Read More...
Is it about money or priorities?
January 18, 2017
By now I’m sure you’ve heard about the challenge the state faces in meeting the education-funding demands of the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision. Providing for basic education (meaning K-12) is the paramount duty of the state, and as the vice chair of the budget-writing committee in the Senate, I... Read More...
2017 Session kicks off with a little Blue & Green Spirit!
January 11, 2017
On Monday, we returned to Olympia for the start of what is sure to be a challenging session. But with every challenge comes opportunity – including the opportunity to serve. My colleagues recently selected me to serve as Deputy Senate Leader and as a Vice Chair of Ways and Means... Read More...
Special session ends as lawmakers reach budget deal
March 30, 2016
Bridges to a Better Government Late last night, after securing a hard-won agreement on the supplemental state budget, the Legislature finally wrapped up its “special session” and adjourned for the year. As has been the case far too often in recent years, it took longer than I would have liked for us... Read More...
8th District town hall canceled due to special session!
March 16, 2016
Unfortunately, because the Legislature is currently in special session and we do not have an ending date, we must cancel our 8th Legislative District town hall, scheduled for this Saturday, March 19. If we are able to reschedule the town hall after the special session ends, I will be sure to... Read More...
Inslee backs down on veto threat; signs Jason’s Law
March 14, 2016
In a misguided attempt to spur action on the budget, Governor Inslee threatened to veto several measures if we had not reached a budget deal (in principle, at least). One of the bills that faced a veto threat was our bill to increase the sentencing guidelines for vehicular homicide –... Read More...