Tag Archives: Sen. Jeff Holy

Senate passes Holy bill to create advisory council on rare diseases

A bill passed unanimously by the Senate last night would add Washington to the handful of states with advisory councils on rare diseases.

Senate Bill 5886, a bipartisan proposal introduced by 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy, would establish an advisory council on rare diseases within the state Department of Health to advise on research, diagnosis, treatment and education related to rare diseases. Under the measure, the advisory council must submit annual reports on the council’s work and other findings and recommendations to the governor and Legislature starting Dec. 1, 2024.

“This bill would benefit those in Washington who suffer from a rare disease, as well as those who might be afflicted with a rare disease in the future,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Rare diseases take a substantial financial and emotional toll on patients and their families. This bill could help this vulnerable population by creating an advisory council to focus on the concerns of rare-disease patients in our state. Hopefully, that work can eventually lead to fewer cases of rare diseases in Washington, as well as fewer deaths, through early diagnosis and intervention.”

A rare disease is defined as any condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people in America. Rare diseases include genetic conditions, infections, cancers and autoimmune diseases. The National Institutes of Health estimates there may be as many as 7,000 rare diseases, and that 25 million to 30 million Americans may be living with a rare disease.

Under SB 5886, the rare diseases advisory council would consist of 12 voting members serving three-year terms, including four clinicians and researchers specializing in rare diseases, four individuals representing patients, the director of the program for children with special health care needs , a representative from the state Health Care Authority, and two representatives from the life-sciences industry focusing on developing therapeutic products for rare-disease patients or related research efforts.

SB 5886 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate passes Holy bill to boost behavioral-health services in underserved areas

A bill introduced by 6th Legislative District Sen. Jeff Holy that aims to make behavioral-health services more available in underserved areas of Washington was approved today by the Senate 48-1.

Senate Bill 5728 would require that the state’s portion of property forfeited under the Controlled Substances Act be deposited in the Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program Account.

“Money from drug forfeitures can be pretty substantial, so it makes sense to put this money toward a worthy cause,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “The Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program is a rigorous program that tries to promote access to behavioral-health professional services in underserved areas, of which there are several in eastern Washington. It would be better to use recovered drug-forfeiture money in this way instead of putting it in the state general fund, which is already experiencing a very large surplus.”

The Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program was established in 2019 to address shortages of behavioral-health professionals in rural and underserved urban communities. The program provides financial support to eligible licensed health professionals through loan repayment and conditional scholarships.

SB 5728, which was requested by the Office of the State Treasurer, now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Holy proposes bill to restore public safety by helping communities hire officers

An exodus of law-enforcement officers has weakened public safety across Washington. Legislation introduced this week by 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy aims to reverse this dangerous and disturbing trend. His Senate Bill 5841 would provide cities and counties with more funding to hire more law enforcement officers.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a large number of police officers and deputy sheriffs leave their jobs, whether it’s caused by strong opposition to law enforcement by some groups or laws passed by Democrat legislators that make it harder to apprehend criminals,” said Holy, a retired Spokane police officer and the Washington senator with the most experience in law enforcement.

“Washington now has fewer law-enforcement officers per capita than any state, and the decrease in officers, combined with the sharp increase in crime, is making communities less safe. Restoring public safety is one of the main priorities for our Senate Republican Caucus this session. This bill would help cities and counties hire more officers and reduce crime.”

Holy’s proposal has two components. First, it would direct 0.1% of the current state sales tax to local governments to let them hire more law-enforcement personnel. The bill is expected to produce about $250 million a year to help cities and counties hire more officers. The revenues would be used by local governments to hire law-enforcement officers up to at least the national average per capita (2.4 per 1,000). Once that threshold is reached, local governments could use the funds in ways they consider best to reduce crime.

SB 5841 also would increase the number of training classes at the state’s basic law enforcement academy to a minimum of 25 per year. “There is a long backlog that is causing hired officers to have to wait several months to get the training they need to be on patrol. More training slots mean more hired officers can get to work in their communities sooner,” said Holy.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Law and Justice Committee for consideration.

 

Governor signs Holy bill helping health-care workers during pandemic

A bill from 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy that aims to help health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic took effect immediately when it was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee yesterday.

The law created by Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5190 will extend unemployment-insurance eligibility to health-care workers who must leave work to quarantine during a public-health emergency. It also will provide presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for health-care workers who contract the disease that is the subject of a public-health emergency.

“I’m glad the governor signed this common-sense bill that tries to solve a problem for health-care workers during this and any future pandemic,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Health-care workers face a serious, immediate threat when they have to treat patients with infectious diseases. For over a year, we have faced a health-care crisis of great magnitude here in Washington and throughout the nation. It’s important for us to take care of the medical professionals who are being asked to help take care of the public.”

The Senate originally passed the proposal 34-15 on Feb. 25. After the House approved an amended version of the bill 84-14 on April 8, the Senate voted 37-12 on April 19 to concur with the revised measure.

Holy: New state capital budget funds key projects in Airway Heights, Cheney

A compromise two-year state capital budget agreement that could receive votes by the Senate and House of Representatives as soon as tomorrow includes money for two key infrastructure projects in Airway Heights and Cheney that will help both projects be fully funded, said 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy.

The capital budget includes $14.955 million to help the city of Airway Heights dig a much-needed new water well, and $11.05 million in funding for the Cheney “purple pipe” project that will help that community reduce the amount of water it needs to pull out of the ground.

“I’m glad I was able to help secure funding in the new capital budget for these two water projects that will greatly benefit Cheney and Airway Heights,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “After Congress provided COVID-19 stimulus funding to our state earlier this year, I worked hard to make sure part of that stimulus funding was used to help fund both the Airway Heights water project and the Cheney ‘purple pipe’ project. I’m glad Senate and House capital budget negotiators fulfilled my funding requests for these two important projects for these two communities.”

The compromise capital budget also funds several projects at Eastern Washington University in Cheney:

  • Science Building renovation ($45 million)
  • Infrastructure renewal ($10 million)
  • Minor works preservation ($3 million)
  • Preservation and maintenance backlog reduction ($2.217 million)
  • Minor works program ($1 million)

Other 6th District projects funded in the capital budget include:

  • Spokane Falls Community College Fine and Applied Arts Building replacement ($19.342 million)
  • Department of Natural Resources’ Airway Heights facility replacement ($4.2 million)
  • Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Spokane hatchery renovation ($2.8 million)
  • Department of Corrections preservation projects ($2.27 million)
  • Eastern State Hospital emergency electrical system upgrade ($1.055 million)
  • Ashley House in Spokane ($552,000)
  • Cheney Depot rehabilitation project ($306,000)

Senate and House negotiators reached a final agreement on the state capital budget earlier this week. The Senate and House are expected to vote on it tomorrow or this weekend. The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to end on Sunday.

House passes Holy bill helping health-care workers during pandemic

A bill from 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy that aims to help health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was approved last night by the House of Representatives. If the Senate agrees with changes made by the House, the measure will advance to the governor’s desk.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5190 would extend unemployment-insurance eligibility to health-care workers who must leave work to quarantine during a public-health emergency. The bipartisan proposal, passed 84-14 by the House, also would provide presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for health-care workers who contract the disease that is the subject of a public-health emergency.

“I’m glad the House showed strong bipartisan support in amending and passing this common-sense bill that tries to solve a problem for health-care workers during this and any future pandemic,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Health-care workers face a serious, immediate threat when they have to treat patients with infectious diseases. When we have a health-care crisis of this magnitude here in Washington and throughout the nation, we need to take care of the people who are being asked to help take care of the public.”

The bill returns to the Senate, which must decide whether to concur, or agree, with the House’s changes to the proposal. The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to end April 25.

Holy says Senate action opens door to state income tax

The Senate’s narrow passage of a Democrat-sponsored bill aiming to create a state income tax on capital gains opens the door to a full-fledged state income tax in Washington, says 6th District state Sen. Jeff Holy.

The Senate yesterday voted 25-24 to pass Senate Bill 5096, sending the controversial measure to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Holy voted against the proposal.

“Our state’s revenue situation has improved since last year’s dip caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Our long-term state budget outlook is good, so we don’t need to create a state income tax. In addition, we are receiving federal COVID-19 funding. Passing a state income tax measure on a Saturday during a marginally transparent legislative session just sends the wrong message that the majority is trying to hide this from public view.”

Holy said Washington voters have rejected a state income-tax proposal 10 times over the past 85 years. The most recent rejection happened in 2010 when 64 percent of voters shot down Initiative 1098.

“Most of the people in Washington don’t want a state income tax,” said Holy. “The Legislature should listen to the people and not try to impose one.”

Holy said this bill could hurt people throughout Washington, not just wealthy residents in King County.

“Not everyone in our state can enjoy the economic success that the Seattle area has enjoyed,” said Holy. “Most of the voters in my district voted against the last state income tax ballot measure. I expect most of them would oppose this proposal that the Senate passed.”

If SB 5096 is signed into law, it is expected to draw a lawsuit and wind up in court.

“The Internal Revenue Service considers taxes on investment income to be an income tax, so this proposal would be on a collision course with the state Supreme Court over whether it’s legal under our state constitution,” said Holy.

Before the bill was approved, the Senate passed an amendment removing a so-called “emergency clause” from the proposal. Had the emergency clause remained in the bill, it would have prevented citizens from filing a referendum that brought SB 5096 before state voters to approve or reject.

“I’m very pleased the Senate agreed to include this amendment that could allow voters to exercise their right to force a referendum if they wish,” said Holy. “Throughout our history, voters have rejected state income-tax proposals several times. It would be extremely unfair if voters were prevented from having a say on this proposal if the governor signs it into law.”

Holy noted that if SB 5096 ends up become state law, he fears an exodus of wealthier Washingtonians.

“One reason why our state has attracted top talent is because they know Washington does not have a state income tax. But if the majority imposes a state income tax, there is a real concern that we’ll see many wealthier residents move away from Washington to avoid paying a state income tax. It’s never a good thing to drive people out of state with bad tax policies.”

Holy to resume serving on Senate higher education, law and justice committees

Sen. Jeff Holy will continue in his role as Republican leader on the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee when the Washington Legislature’s 2021 session begins Jan. 11.

Holy, a retired Spokane police officer, also will keep serving on the Senate Law and Justice Committee. The 6th District senator has added an assignment, to the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee.

“I’m very pleased with my committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Higher education and workforce development are important issues for many Washingtonians, especially those coming out of high school and looking to enter college or the workforce. My years as a police officer in Spokane give me a unique perspective on how bills in the Law and Justice Committee might affect not only law enforcement but citizens.”

Holy said he is excited to join the Health and Long-Term Care Committee, even though it meant ending his service on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.

“COVID-19 and its impact on Washington’s hospitals and health care system will be an important issue for this committee, so I look forward to being involved with this issue and working on solutions that will help our state overcome this pandemic,” said Holy.

The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to end April 25.

Mass release of convicted felons violates state constitution, Senate Republicans warn

Republicans ask Inslee to rethink plan – improper release of more than 1,100 inmates makes state liable for new crimes

To see a copy of this letter, click here.

Senate Republicans today formally asked Gov. Jay Inslee to rethink his plan to deal with the coronavirus crisis by releasing 1,167 prison inmates onto the streets. For one thing, they point out that it’s illegal.

Inslee is responding to a state Supreme Court order that the state take “all necessary steps” to protect prison inmates from the spread of COVID-19. The court didn’t tell Inslee how to do it, however, and the mass release of prisoners is the governor’s idea.

With a formal letter to the governor Friday, Senate Republicans are alerting the governor’s office that the plan violates the state constitution. They warn that the state could be on the hook for any new crimes committed by inmates who are improperly released. They also note that the state has other options that do not threaten public safety. The letter was signed by all 21 members of the Senate Republican Caucus.

“The governor’s office is trying to tell us this public health emergency requires us to throw open the doors of our state prisons,” said Sen. Jeff Holy, R-Spokane, a retired law enforcement officer and attorney. “Of course it doesn’t. In fact, the constitution forbids it.

“The governor’s office no doubt overlooked this constitutional problem when it decided a mass release of convicted felons was a good idea. That’s why we thought it would be helpful to remind the governor of this issue. The governor’s office needs to be aware that the plan violates state law, and that Washington taxpayers could face millions of dollars in liability for new crimes committed by felons who should have been behind bars.”

The letter notes that Inslee is planning to release prisoners without notifying crime victims or their families, meaning that they will have no opportunity to protest. This violates a provision of the Washington constitution passed by an overwhelming 78 percent vote of the people in 1989. Article I, Section 35 of the constitution, known as the “Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights,” requires that crime victims be notified of every proceeding relevant to their case, and that they be given the opportunity to speak when inmate releases are considered.

The letter asks Inslee to explain the legal authority under which he proposes to ignore the requirements of the Washington Constitution.

It also observes that the state has other options that do not require the release of prison inmates. These include the expansion of work-release programs, the use of portable facilities, and the transfer of prisoners to the Maple Lane facility in Thurston County. Maple Lane is particularly well-suited for isolation and quarantine, because it has the capacity, and because Corrections’ central pharmacy is located at the site.

Under ordinary circumstances, a third of inmates are arrested for new felonies within three years of their release from prison. The state already has learned the hard way that it is liable for new crimes committed by felons who are improperly released. In 2015, the inadvertent release of some 3,000 prisoners due to a programming error led to two deaths, numerous other violent crimes, and millions of dollars of lawsuits from crime victims and their families. The letter notes that the earlier releases were accidental. “In this case, the releases will be deliberate, and the state’s responsibility for any new crimes is all the more clear.”

Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, ranking member on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, said Republicans recognize Inslee’s office is under pressure to do something to address concerns about coronavirus in the state’s prison system. “We have many ways to deal with this problem that do not require us to turn inmates loose,” Padden said. “Unfortunately, many in Olympia are pursuing an agenda to relax our laws, shorten sentences and release inmates before their time is up. So these better options are being ignored.

“We appreciate the challenges the governor’s office has faced in dealing with the coronavirus crisis. But we shouldn’t use it as an excuse to turn more than a thousand criminals onto the streets, ignore the state constitution, and create an even more difficult situation for the more than 7 million Washington residents who respect our laws.”