Bridges

Putting Washingtonians back to work!
February 01, 2014
This week, the Senate focused on advancing a pro-jobs, pro-growth and pro-workers agenda to help improve Washington’s business climate and put Washingtonians back to work again.On Wednesday, several of my colleagues from the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus and House Republican Caucus joined together to announce our “Jobs Now!” plan. One... Read More...
2014 Legislative Session underway
January 21, 2014
As we enter the second week of the 2014 legislative session I can’t help but notice how different this session looks compared to last year. At the beginning of last year’s session the talk in Olympia was all about budget deficits, the need for tax increases and the failure of... Read More...
Bridges to a Better Government E-Newsletter for June 30, 2013
June 30, 2013
I fought hard to represent our district and as a result, Delta High School will receive $5.4 million in new funding. Delta is a shining example of a leader in statewide education. Their focus on the key STEM education areas (science, technology, engineering, and math) and ability to weave English,... Read More...
Bridges to a Better Government E-Newsletter for June 14, 2013
June 14, 2013
The Washington State Legislature concluded its first special session Tuesday without reaching agreement on a state budget or a number of government reforms. The budget proposal passed by the Senate Saturday includes no new taxes and makes an unprecedented billion-dollar investment in K-12 education specifically in response to a court... Read More...
Bridges to a Better Government E-Newsletter for June 8, 2013
June 08, 2013
The special session has kicked into a higher gear as we approach June 11, the last day of the 30-day special session allowed under Washington’s constitution. Earlier this week, the governor said he would call a second special session immediately if Tuesday comes and goes without a budget agreement. Perhaps... Read More...
Bridges to a Better Government E-Newsletter for May 29, 2013
May 29, 2013
I remain focused on adopting a budget that makes substantial investments in education and balances without general tax increases on our state’s families and employers. Residents in our district are stretched thin enough as it is and don’t need any more tax burdens heaped upon them by the state. While... Read More...
Bridges to a Better Government E-Newsletter for May 20, 2013
May 20, 2013
One week into the first “special session” of the Legislature and I’m working hard to make sure that the 2013-15 state budget doesn’t include any new or increased taxes. Last week mostly consisted of budget negotiations, ceremonial bill signings and meetings of policy committees, and now there are just three... Read More...
Bridges to a Better Government E-Newsletter for May 1, 2013
May 01, 2013
As the eleventh hour approached Sunday afternoon, it became glaringly obvious that no budget agreement would suddenly materialize and allow us to adjourn the 2013 legislative session on time. After 105 days – despite the Senate’s passage of a budget that puts over a billion dollars into education, balances for... Read More...
Bridges to a Better Government E-Newsletter for April 23, 2013
April 23, 2013
In odd years, the Washington State Legislature meets for 105 days. In even years, we’re only in session for 60 days. This Sunday marks the 105th day of the 2013 legislative session, and therefore it is the constitutionally-mandated final day of the “regular” session…and regular is in quotes because if... Read More...
Senate passes historic bipartisan budget
April 12, 2013
Last Friday, the Senate adopted a bipartisan operating budget that would spend more on basic and higher education while addressing the needs of Washington’s most vulnerable citizens, all without raising taxes. The measure passed by a vote of 30-18. The $33.3 billion, two-year spending plan would increase state support for... Read More...