Author Archives: Laudan

Warnick bill to help agricultural education clears committee

A bill sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, to help the next generation of agriculturists educate their communities was approved by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee Thursday.

The legislation, Senate Bill 6571, would provide a sales and use tax exemption to student members of agricultural education organizations like the Future Farmers of America.

“Education about agriculture is important,” said Warnick, the former chair of the Senate’s ag-related committee. “More urbanization often means more people are disconnected from where their food comes from, and the work these students are doing is a benefit to our entire state. Removing taxes on products they use in a very limited way to promote our next generation of farmers and business leaders will go a long way.”

Warnick constituent Hannah Warwick, a junior at Davenport High School and FFA student, came to Olympia to testify on the bill, which received a public hearing Thursday prior to its passage by the committee.

“Raising livestock can be very expensive and every penny counts,” said Hannah Warwick. “This bill would be perfect to help members with the financial aspect of raising livestock. On average, a show steer will consume one and a half tons of grain prior to a show. I spent $567 on grain, of that $43.65 was sales tax. That may not seem like a lot, but everything adds up.”

Hannah Warwick noted that many FFA students work odd jobs to afford this hands-on experience.

“I’m grateful my colleagues from around the state see the value in this legislation,” said Sen. Warnick. “These students learn so many valuable skills such as leadership, public speaking and the ins and outs of an agriculture business. Agriculture is a significant contributor to our economy and these future leaders will be needed.”

Update from Olympia

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Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

We have finished the third week of the 2018 legislative session. Given the short, 60-day time frame, things are moving fast. I am glad that we have finally garnered a significant win for rural Washington on the Hirst, household well issue. Late last week, we approved a compromise bill that the governor has signed. It creates a framework for local control over water resources, plans for the future and importantly provides clarity on permit-exempt wells so that families that simply need water for a home can get it.

The media and urban lawmakers have been displeased about the connection between Hirst and the Capital Budget. Let me be clear, without that linkage, urban lawmakers would have been content with doing nothing to solve this problem. Borrowing money to grow government while rural Washingtonians’ property values plummet and economic development grinds to a halt seemed unfair to taxpayers. With the approval of a Hirst fix, the Capital Budget was also adopted allowing for investment in community projects.

Our caucus knew that some sort of investment would be needed in the Capital Budget to address the fallout from the Hirst decision. We needed a policy before we knew that dollar figure. However, the position of some that there is no connection was disingenuous. The framework that the Democrats unveiled in late December made the connection explicit. Without hundreds of millions of dollars in the Capital Budget, the underlying water policy was void.

You can read my press release on the Hirst fix and Capital Budget by clicking here.

Video Update

Please take a moment to watch my latest video update where I discuss what’s going on in Olympia and what I am working on. Click here or on the image below to watch.

My bills

I have introduced several bills this session ranging from seed certification to funding for agricultural fairs and expanding opportunities for retirement benefits of veterans.

Please click here to see a list of bills that I have sponsored.

It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your state government.

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Judy Warnick,

Your State Senator

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My video update

Hard-fought Hirst compromise reached for rural Washington

Capital budget approved; provides unprecedented support for education

After nearly a year of negotiations, Sen. Judy Warnick, former chair of the Senate’s water-related committee and lead negotiator on the bill to fix the flawed Hirst court decision, believes the compromise deal reached this week by Senate and House negotiators will finally bring needed relief for rural families seeking to drill a small household well.

“It has been an arduous and complex negotiation,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “I believe that the compromise we have reached meets the criteria that I stated at the end of last year, namely that any solution must not be a burden on rural families who simply need water to build a home.”

Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, joined Warnick in the negotiation talks.

“We had many hours of meetings that went late into the night over this week,” Short said. “Our stance from the beginning was that we needed a bill that would treat our rural landowners fairly so they can drill water wells on their land. Without water, landowners can’t develop their property. The compromise we reached isn’t a perfect fix to the problem, but it’s a solution that allows locally driven plans with flexibility to develop solutions tailored to meet local needs.”

“It has taken us this long to get here because many in Olympia didn’t take the plight of rural Washington seriously,” Warnick said. “We did what we had to do to represent our constituents and get the attention of urban lawmakers who don’t need to worry about where their water comes from.”

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6091, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, and Warnick, passed the Senate 35 to 14 and the House of Representatives 66 to 30.

“I’m glad that Senator Van De Wege stepped up and supported our efforts to help rural families,” said Warnick. “This is an example of collaboration among Democrats and Republicans to work for all of Washington.”

Senate Republican leaders had insisted since early April, 2017 that there would be no new capital budget without a long-term remedy for the effects of the Hirst ruling. Adoption of the Hirst fix cleared the way for the Legislature to adopt the state’s capital budget.

“This budget is designed with Washington students in mind,” said Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside and the lead Senate Republican for the capital budget. “It invests an historic level of support for K-12 reforms.

“In addition to education, we prioritize projects that focus on helping meet our state’s mental-health needs, mitigate the damage of environmental disasters and preserve and develop existing properties – all while leaving capacity in the budget to address unforeseen future needs.”

The $4.2 billion spending plan for funding capital assets like school-building construction and mental-health facilities during the 2017-19 biennium, includes a total of more than $1 billion K-12 education-facility construction, renovation or modernization.

The capital budget includes $860 million in total appropriations for higher-education facilities, including $489 million in general-obligation bonds. Of the total spending authority, $433 million would go to the community and technical college system and $428 million to Washington’s public four-year institutions.

The state’s water needs are also an area of emphasis. The budget contains $160 million for flood-control and water-supply projects, and well as $165 million for drinking-water loans and grants, $220 million for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Program and $35 million for the Centennial Clean Water Program. It also contains $300 million for Hirst-related projects.

Mental-health needs, another priority for Senate Republicans, would receive $132 million in the budget. There is approximately $90 million in community behavioral health projects and another approximately $42 million in state hospital projects.

Other highlights of the capital budget include:

$97 million to fund the current Public Works Assistance Account list in its entirety;
$8 million for Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) grants;
Nearly $100 million for affordable housing, including $12 million for innovative housing projects;
$80 million for select Washington Wildlife Recreation Program projects; and
$13 million for forest-hazard reduction.

The capital budget passed the Senate 49-0 and the House 95-1

Senators welcome House Democrats’ reengagement on Hirst

Senators Judy Warnick and Jim Honeyford welcomed news that House Democrats have planned a work session Dec. 12 to discuss the Hirst water rights court decision.

“I have remained hopeful since the Legislature adjourned that we can deliver a Hirst fix for rural Washington,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who sponsored Senate Bill 5239, the only Hirst–related bill to receive a bipartisan vote during the 2017 legislative session.

“While serving as chair of the Senate’s water committee, I knew early on how important this court ruling was and the negative impact it would have on rural Washington. We needed a fix then, and need one now. If we had not kept the pressure up, this conversation wouldn’t be happening. I’m pleased the House is finally taking this seriously and look forward to seeing what the committee comes up with,” Warnick added.

This year Senate Republicans refused to move forward with final passage of a capital budget, after months of negotiations ended with House Democrats refusing to vote on any solution to address the issue of water rights and rural development in response to the state Supreme Court ruling known as the Hirst decision.

“It was clear to Senate Republicans coming into the 2017 session that fixing Hirst was a priority,” said Honeyford, R-Sunnyside and a member of the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee. “Unfortunately, what also became clear is that House Democrats were more than willing to ignore what they viewed as solely a rural issue.

“Some criticized us for tying the Hirst fix to the capital budget, but we needed to get their attention, and spur them to some action,” Honeyford added. “I am pleased that our colleagues in the House have now acknowledged that addressing water rights and rural development should be a priority of the session, and I look forward to working with them to find a solution that works for all of Washington.”

Warnick recognized as Legislator of the Year by Association of Washington Business

The Association of Washington Business recently honored Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, at its 2017 Evening of Excellence as the Legislator of the Year.

Warnick, who served as the Chair of the Senate’s Agriculture, Water, Trade and Economic Development Committee, received the award for her work to support small businesses across the state.

“I am honored to receive this recognition,” said Warnick. “I have worked to expand opportunity and limit unnecessary regulations that hurt small businesses, which are a key driver of our state’s economy, especially in small and rural communities.”

In addition to her support of small business, Warnick’s advocacy for a permanent fix to the Hirst water rights court decision for rural Washington families earned her the top honor by the business association.

“When the 2017 legislative session started, I knew that the Hirst ruling was going to be a significant issue,” Warnick said. “While we had work to do to address education, rural families and local governments needed a permanent fix to Hirst – something I am still fighting for. Ensuring families have access to water in my community is critical for continued economic development in parts of our state that haven’t seen the same kind of economic recovery enjoyed by those in the greater Puget Sound.”

“Senator Warnick has been instrumental in advocating on behalf of residents in rural regions across the state – from water issues to economic growth – not just this year, but for many years as a board member and a legislator,” said Gary Chandler, AWB vice president, government affairs. “We are pleased to give her this year’s Legislator of the Year award as a way to recognize all the great work she has done to improve communities, large and small, and create economic opportunity.”

Warnick, Dent and Schoesler hail Japan trade mission as success 13th District, entire state

Sen. Judy Warnick, who chairs the Senate’s economic development-related committee, says a recent trade mission that took her, Rep. Tom Dent, and other local officials to Japan laid important groundwork for what she hopes will be improved trade relations and increased economic collaboration.

“Our legislative district is very attractive to companies in Japan,” stated Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “We offer inexpensive power, a strong skilled workforce and the willingness to be a strong international trade partner. Our agricultural industry is a cornerstone in that relationship with wheat and other crops grown in our district for export. I am committed to increasing those ties and looking for opportunities to support our growing economic cooperation. In terms of furthering the relationships that result in those opportunities, our mission was a success.”

The nine-day tour included meetings with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Aichi Prefecture – a state with an economic and geographical makeup similar to Washington – plus numerous businesses around Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo. Rep. Dent and Sens. Warnick and Schoesler presented Governor Ohmura with a pair of cowboy boots as a gift.

Dent feels the collaborative mindset and positive attitudes on the trip was energizing and will be valuable moving forward.

“Our mission was to foster and strengthen relationships with the Japanese people, to share ideas and work together into the future. We were able to see many aspects of why their economy is thriving. At the same time, we were able to have a great dialogue about the benefits of doing business in the 13th Legislative District and Washington State. It is important they continue to look favorably upon us as a strong partner in key industry sectors such as aerospace and advanced manufacturing,” said Dent, R-Moses Lake.

The 13th District, which covers much of central Washington, is already home to a number of Japanese companies. The lawmakers were particularly glad to meet with the leaders of a parent company operating in Moses Lake that is interested in expansion efforts at the local port.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, who serves the neighboring 9th Legislative District viewed it as time very well spent.

“Seeing how the governor vetoed the legislation we passed to encourage manufacturing across the state, it’s clear that homegrown efforts like this are incredibly important for preserving rural jobs in the short term and attracting new investments for the long term,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

“There is nothing like meeting face-to-face when it comes to doing business, whether it’s in the next county or a continent away,” he added. “Our Japanese hosts were very gracious and receptive to our delegation, and I believe they were truly impressed with the amount of time and energy we were willing to devote to the tour.”

“I have done some international travel, but this trip was so inspiring,” said Warnick. “I was overwhelmed by the hospitality and the willingness of businesses to open their operations to us to demonstrate new technologies and manufacturing processes. It can only help enhance opportunities for increased partnerships in the 13th District and across Washington State.”

In addition to business discussions, the legislators were able to participate in broader cultural exchanges, visiting historic temples and treasured old-growth forests, and traveling by high-speed rail to view Japan’s diverse geography.

“One thing that sticks out from my travels across Japan is how clean everything was,” said Warnick. “The subway stations, large cities were free from litter and other sights you’d associate with large metropolitan areas. I was honored to spend time there learning, and look forward to a continued vibrant economic and cultural exchange.”

“The innovation and the factories were amazing, but as we toured these places and even the retail stores, you could sense the work ethic and the pride the young people took in their job. It was impressive to see how proud they were of what they were doing and where they worked. It was great to see,” Dent said.

Legislative Update – Fighting for Rural Washington

September 21, 2017

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Greetings Friends and Neighbors

Although the Legislature has been out of session for two months, I am still working on unresolved issues with the proposed capital budget and with the Supreme Court’s Hirst decision that placed restrictions on household wells. I have been meeting with water-management stakeholders and conversing with my counterparts across the political aisle to find agreement that will address their concerns and let rural property owners build on their land. Unfortunately, progress has been slow and my Democrat colleagues haven’t demonstrated that they grasp how important this issue is for rural Washington.

This is especially concerning in light of a recent study that demonstrates the significant financial harm caused by not fixing the Hirst problem. My Senate Majority colleagues and I noted that recently when we sent a letter to the governor asking him to demonstrate leadership and bring his fellow Democrats to the negotiating table. Failing to act will result in a loss of nearly $7 billion to our state’s economy.

Please click here to read my recent press release that includes the letter and link to the study.

Skagit Agriculture Tour

Skagit Speech

Earlier this month I traveled to the Skagit Valley to participate in a day-long agricultural tour. I met with other policy makers and legislative staff to understand the diverse and complex agricultural environment in the valley. Growers there produce 80 crops of commercial significance, which complicates the task of navigating the regulatory environment. I learned about challenges they’re facing with farmland preservation, international trade dependence and access to water. Skagit farmers demonstrated cutting-edge technology in their operations, including a dairy that is using robots to milk cows. These kinds of tours are invaluable to legislators as we think about the impact of laws and regulations on agriculture producers who are working to be good stewards of the land, while feeding our world and trying to make a living.

Jolly Mountain Fire

I recently attended a meeting in Kittitas County regarding the Jolly Mountain fire. The fire has burned over 36,000 acres and is about 40 percent contained. Officials indicate that the eastern, western and southern lines have been brought mostly under control, but expect the fire to continue to burn to the north and will be closely monitored.

Over 800 people had been working in this dangerous and rugged terrain. I am thankful for our first responders and firefighters who are putting their lives on the line to fight these fires and keep our communities safe.

Please visit the links below to stay informed about the fire and any closures and evacuations.

Incident Information System

Leading the nation

Our community is a hub of innovation and industry. The city of Quincy was recently recognized as a “Utility of the Future Today” and will be honored at a national conference in Chicago for its work on water reuse. Click here to read a recent news story.

It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your state government.

Signature

Judy Warnick,

Your State Senator

Warnick urges action on Hirst in letter to governor

Billions in damage to state economy without Hirst fix new study shows

On the heels of the release of a new study that details the negative economic impact of the flawed Hirst water-rights decision, Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, issued a letter to the governor calling for action toward a permanent solution.

Earlier in the summer, in response to the idea of the Democrats’ temporary solution to Hirst, local lenders indicated that because of the uncertainty and instability of such a solution they had decided not to lend on properties without legal water.

Now, a new study put out by the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) places a financial cost on legislative inaction.

Some of the details include:

$6.9 billion lost in economic activity each year in Washington, predominantly in rural communities
$452.3 million in lost employee wages due to the impacts of Hirst, annually
Nearly 9,300 lost jobs (FTEs) in rural Washington, annually
$392.7 million in lost taxes to state and local governments, annually
$4.59 billion in losses to the construction industry, annually
$37 billion in lost property values in areas impacted by Hirst
$346 million in property taxes shifted to other properties in Washington

“I have spent the interim working with stakeholders and colleagues across the aisle to find a solution that works,” said Warnick. “However, I am not getting the sense that legislators who represent areas that aren’t reliant on wells for water have the same sense of urgency on this issue.”

Warnick, who chairs the Senate’s water-related committee, sponsored the only legislation to fix Hirst, Senate Bill 5239. The Senate approved the proposal four times over the course of the 2017 legislative sessions with strong bipartisan approval. The Democrat-controlled House however, failed to bring the measure to a vote or even introduce or pass their own proposals.

Warnick’s letter, signed by 21 members of the Senate Majority Coalition, urges action by Governor Inslee and outlines the merits of the Senate’s proposal to avoid the predicted annual $6.9 billion loss in economic activity, near $350 million in property tax shift, and $37 billion loss in property values in areas of Washington affected by Hirst.

“We need leadership from the governor and for legislators to take this issue seriously,” Warnick said. “This is not just a rural issue. Not fixing Hirst will hurt the entire state and this new study demonstrates the impacts will be significant.

“We spent all session hearing how our state needed more money. It is unwise to make those claims while saying our state can afford to lose billions on the backs of rural families.”