Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Today is the 24th day of the 60-day session. I’ve had several people from back home visit me in Olympia. Representatives from the Community Health Association of Spokane, which is a nonprofit providing health and dental care to people, shared
their support for health center and mental health funding (see photo at right with Chad Dashiell and Desiree Sweeney). I also met with Jeff Phillips (president of Rosauers) to discuss the food industry in our state. Spokane County Commissioner Al French also stopped by, and we discussed economic opportunities in our region.
Jobs, jobs, jobs
While others may be proposing minimum wage increases and more mandates on job creators, I’m supporting a package of legislation aimed at helping to boost job opportunities in our state. For the most part, the state simply needs to get out of the way of businesses so they can stabilize and grow after the recent recession. However, there are several things the state can do to reform its way of doing business to make it easier for employers to succeed in Washington state. Read about the solutions I’m supporting here.
Watch my video update
Watch my recent video update where I discuss unemployment and implementation of federal health care reform, also known as Obamacare, in our state:
Update: Legislation I’m working on
- House Bill 1902, which would allow owners of trailers used for recreation or intermittently to purchase lifetime registration license plates, could come up for a vote by the full House soon. I introduced this legislation last year, but it died in the House Rules Committee. I’m hopeful we can get it passed this year.
- House Bill 2690, which would require those receiving unemployment benefits to work two hours of community service each week, will receive a public hearing today in the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee.
- House Bill 2491, which would allow county assessors to provide foreclosure sales online, received a public hearing Jan. 30 in the House Judiciary Committee.
- House Bill 2279 would allow the Washington State Lottery to use advertising as an additional funding source. It has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee after passing the House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee.
Meet with me on the phone or in person
In a couple weeks, you will have two opportunities to connect directly with me.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, I’ll be hosting another telephone town hall starting at 6:30 p.m. To join the hour-long call, just dial toll-free (800) 278-6179. If you want to ask me a question, press star/asterisk (*) on your phone and we’ll get your call directed. I look forward to your questions!
On Saturday, Feb. 22, I’ll be back in Spokane with my seatmates Sen. Michael Baumgartner and Rep. Kevin Parker for an in-person town hall. More information to come on that.
If you can’t join either event, please feel free to contact my office with your questions, concerns or suggestions. I appreciate hearing from you.
It’s an honor to serve you in our state House of Representatives.