Author Archives: Laudan

Warnick’s Bill Securing Yakima Basin Water Future Passes with Strong Support

Senator Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake) announced the successful passage of her proposal, Senate Bill 5303, aimed at extending water supply milestones for the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan to 2035. The bill received bipartisan support and underscores the state’s commitment to sustainable water resource management in the Yakima River Basin.

The Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan is a comprehensive strategy developed through collaboration among the Yakama Nation, federal, state, county, and city governments, environmental organizations, and irrigation districts. The plan addresses water conservation, habitat restoration, and water supply needs for both in-stream and out-of-stream uses.

Originally, the plan set a milestone to secure permits and funding for water supply facilities by June 30, 2025. Warnick’s bill extends this deadline to June 30, 2035, allowing additional time to achieve the goal of providing at least 214,000 acre-feet of water for various uses.

“Extending this milestone is crucial for the continued success of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan,” said Warnick. “This extension ensures that we have the necessary time to secure funding and permits for essential water supply projects that benefit our communities, agriculture, and the environment.”

The legislation also mandates that prior to appropriating funds for constructing any water supply project within the integrated plan costing over $100 million, the State of Washington Water Research Center must review and evaluate the project’s cost-benefit analysis. This provision ensures fiscal responsibility and thorough evaluation of significant investments.

To prevent any lapse in the plan’s implementation timeline, the legislation includes an emergency clause, making it effective on June 30, 2025.

Senator Warnick expressed gratitude to her colleagues and stakeholders for their support in passing this important legislation. “This collaborative effort reflects our shared dedication to sustainable water management and the prosperity of the Yakima River Basin,” she stated.

Joint 13th District Virtual Town Hall!

The legislators representing Washington’s 13th Legislative District – Sen. Judy Warnick, Rep. Tom Dent, and Rep. Alex Ybarra – invite constituents to join them for a virtual town hall on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. via Zoom.

As the 2025 legislative session progresses, the town hall will provide an opportunity for constituents to engage directly with their elected officials, ask questions, and share their perspectives on key issues affecting the district and the state.

“Affordability and rural prosperity are top priorities for me this session,” said Sen. Judy Warnick. “I look forward to discussing how we can support our communities and ensure that families in our district thrive.”

Rep. Tom Dent emphasized the importance of constituent input, stating, “Listening to the voices of our neighbors helps guide the work we do in Olympia. Agriculture and community concerns are at the heart of what I’m focused on, and I’m eager to hear from everyone.”

Rep. Alex Ybarra highlighted his focus on energy issues, noting, “Ensuring reliable and affordable energy for Eastern Washington is critical. I’m excited to connect with constituents and discuss practical solutions for our region.”

Residents can register for the virtual town hall by clicking here.

Senator Judy Warnick’s Legislation Enhancing Penalties for Theft from First Responders Passes Senate

The Washington State Senate has passed Senate Bill 5323, introduced by Senator Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake), which strengthens penalties for theft and possession of stolen property belonging to first responders. The bill was approved with a bipartisan vote of 47-2.

Warnick’s legislation classifies the theft or possession of property used by firefighters or emergency medical service providers as a first-degree felony when such property is stolen from a fire station, emergency medical service facility, or vehicle. This change aims to deter crimes that compromise the effectiveness and safety of first responders.

“Our first responders risk their lives daily to protect our communities,” said Senator Warnick. “Ensuring they have the necessary equipment is crucial. This legislation sends a clear message that stealing from those who serve and protect will not be tolerated.”

The bill addresses concerns over increasing incidents where essential equipment, such as lifesaving tools, has been stolen, hindering emergency response efforts. The issue was brought to her attention by first responders in Moses Lake.

By elevating the severity of these offenses to a class B felony, punishable by up to ten years in prison or a fine up to $20,000, the legislation seeks to provide a strong deterrent against such crimes.

Senate Bill 5323 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

What’s happening in Olympia?

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This year, my legislative priorities continue to reflect the values and needs of our district, focusing on affordability, public safety, education, and supporting our local economy.

One of my key proposals is Senate Bill 5097, which aims to protect fairness in girls’ sports by requiring the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to adopt rules that ensure fair competition. This bill is about creating a level playing field and preserving opportunities for young women to compete and excel.

In addition, I am advocating for tax relief for small wineries through Senate Bill 5054. Wineries are a vital part of our local economy, supporting jobs, tourism, and agricultural innovation. This legislation seeks to reduce the financial burden on small wineries, enabling them to thrive and continue contributing to the vibrancy of our region.

Public safety also remains a top priority. I support policies that empower law enforcement, address rising crime rates, and ensure the safety of our communities. This includes advocating for the necessary tools and training for officers and revisiting policies that have hindered effective policing.

Education is another critical focus. I am committed to ensuring that our schools are adequately funded and that every student has access to a high-quality education. This includes supporting career and technical education programs that prepare students for the workforce and expanding opportunities for rural schools to address unique challenges.

Finally, addressing the state’s budget shortfall responsibly is a priority. While balancing the budget, we must protect essential services, avoid undue burdens on taxpayers, and invest in areas that will yield long-term benefits for Washingtonians. I will work to ensure that every dollar spent is used effectively to improve lives and strengthen our communities.

These priorities reflect my commitment to serving you and ensuring that our state government works for everyone. By focusing on these key areas, we can make meaningful progress toward a safer, more prosperous future for Washington.

Warm regards,

Sen. Judy Warnick

Advocating for Foster Youth

Our foster youth deserve unwavering support as they transition into adulthood. It has come to light that Washington state has been redirecting federal benefits intended for foster children to cover state expenses. This practice, while legal, raises ethical concerns about the financial stability of these vulnerable individuals. I am committed to ending this policy to ensure that foster youth receive the full benefits they are entitled to, providing them with a stronger foundation as they move forward in life. One thing about foster youth — they’re in the foster system not because they’re bad kids or because of anything they’ve done. If we can tell the story and make our point, hopefully, it’ll get done.

Promoting Sustainable Economic Growth

In the realm of economic development, I am dedicated to implementing smart policies that attract and manage data centers within our state. Data centers are pivotal in our digital economy, offering significant job opportunities and contributing to local revenues. By establishing clear guidelines and incentives, we can ensure that these facilities operate efficiently while aligning with our environmental and community standards. This balanced approach will help position Washington as a leader in technology and sustainability.

I am eager to collaborate with my colleagues and constituents to address these and other critical issues in the upcoming session. Your input and support are invaluable as we work together to build a brighter future for all Washingtonians.

*Photo courtesy of Microsoft

Celebrating Community Leadership: Remembering Penny Archer

We are fortunate to have individuals in our community who go above and beyond to serve others. One such person is Penny Archer, who worked tirelessly supporting the Moses Lake Food Bank. Her dedication to addressing food insecurity has made an incredible difference in the lives of countless families in our region. I am saddened to learn of her passing and my heart goes out to her loved ones.

Penny’s commitment helped transform the food bank into a vital resource, ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry. I have had the privilege of working to secure funding in years past to support the food bank’s essential programs through the state’s capital budget. This partnership highlights how state resources, combined with the passion and hard work of local leaders like Penny, can create meaningful change.

As we move into 2025, I remain committed to supporting efforts that uplift our community and recognize the invaluable contributions of individuals like Penny and the legacy she left us. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more compassionate Washington.

*Penny Archer featured on the left. Photo courtesy of Moses Lake Food Bank.

Warnick frustrated amid revelation that school seismic upgrades stalled by OSPI

In 2022, bipartisan efforts led to a historic investment for state schools to upgrade facilities and better protect Washington’s nearly 1 million students from devasting earthquakes. The Capital Budget that year allocated $140 million to start addressing the seismic upgrades, but new information reveals that hardly any funds have reached school districts to perform the work.

State Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, has been part of the team leading Senate Republican efforts on the state’s investment budget. She is calling for swift action from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction that oversees the distribution of those funds.

“We put a great deal of effort and investment into upgrading our schools to keep children safe,” said Warnick, who also serves as the Chair of the Senate Republican Caucus. “It is incredible that those funds are not making their way to our schools, which desperately need retrofits to keep our children safe.”

Based on accounting reported to the Legislature, OSPI has only spent just over $1 million to date, while projects around Washington sit idle waiting for funding.

“The Legislature received pretty stark information on just how vulnerable many of our schools are, so we came together to tackle the problem with robust funding and policy,” Warnick explained. “The program is a good one, but it’s unacceptable to have projects go unfunded while the money is sitting in an account nearly three years on. The Legislature was clear that this cannot wait – our kids are depending on it.”

Legislature Adjourns

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn the 2024 session today. With most major policy bills voted on by both the House and Senate, they’ll be finishing the process and heading to the Governor’s Office for final consideration.

On this final day, the Legislature approved an updated, supplemental operating budget and minor changes to the state’s transportation spending plan.

Regarding the operating budget, state spending will increase by just over $2 billion. The Senate’s proposal was much more conservative than the original House proposal, but the majority budget negotiators moved toward a compromise that was ultimately closer to the House’s position in overall spending.

The budget continues strong investments in K-12 education, behavioral health, and health care. Our Senate Republican Caucus principles have been clear that we are focused on rebooting education, restoring public safety, and returning affordability to our state. While spending is at higher levels than I would like, I’m glad that many of those priorities are included, such as funding to combat drug trafficking and hiring more law enforcement and support for victims.

We fought to include more investments in special education and funding parity for school choice. I’m disappointed that our policy to help students with chronic absenteeism was not funded in this budget.

While not perfect, the budget reflects an honest, bipartisan approach. I voted in support of the final operating budget and worked to secure a proviso that reflected legislation I sponsored, Senate Bill 5517. This will help implement the recommendations of the Legislature’s Water Mitigation Task Force and brings together stakeholders to address water rights issues.

My Senate Republican Colleagues and I fought hard to stop new taxes and were successful. As I mentioned in previous newsletters, you will get a say this November on the issue of tax relief when the 3 remaining initiatives to the Legislature are on the ballot.

It is an honor to serve as your state senator.

Sen. Judy Warnick

Three Initiatives Remain

Historic. Over 2 million signatures were collected by citizens to put 6 initiatives to the Legislature. Early on it seemed that the Democratic majority would not budge on these proposals, but with mounting public pressure, 3 of them ended up being approved.

In the final days of the session, the Legislature passed I-2081, which supports parental rights in education, I-2111, which bans an income tax in Washington State, and I-2113, which restores law enforcement’s ability to pursue suspected criminals.

Click here for more information on the remaining initiatives that you’ll have an opportunity to vote on in this November’s general election.

Legislature approves my bill expanding public-private partnerships on state-managed lands

Senate Bill 5785 would allow the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to enter into longer-term agreements with charitable organizations to help maintain and protect the over 1 million acres it manages.

Stewardship of our state’s forests and natural resources is a shared responsibility and a pretty big task. My legislation harnesses the passion of volunteers to help preserve those resources for future generations.

Click here to read more.

Investing in our community

In the final week of the 2024 legislative session, the Legislature adopted the state’s 2024 supplemental capital budget, which makes critical community infrastructure investments around the state. Funding things like parks, community centers, libraries, and school construction, My House seatmates and I worked to secure over $26 million in this year’s allocation for our three-county district.

Major themes from the state’s investment focus on directing resources for school construction, boosting behavioral health facilities, and addressing the state’s affordable housing challenges.

This year’s proposal I think reflects the needs of the people in our district and around the state. We know that our school buildings need ever-increasing maintenance, facilities to treat struggling Washingtonians are desperately needed and so are affordable housing options. This budget makes targeted investments with the limited resources we have.

Click here to read more.

13th District legislators support community infrastructure investments

In the final week of the 2024 legislative session, 13th District lawmakers are lauding passage of the state’s 2024 supplemental capital budget, which makes critical community infrastructure investments around the state. Funding things like parks, community centers, libraries, and school construction, Senator Judy Warnick and Representatives Tom Dent and Alex Ybarra worked to secure over $26 million in this year’s allocation for the three-county district.

Major themes from the state’s investment focus on directing resources for school construction, boosting behavioral health facilities, and addressing the state’s affordable housing challenges.

“This year’s proposal I think reflects the needs of the people in our district and around the state,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who was a lead negotiator of the budget for the Senate Republicans. “We know that our school buildings need ever-increasing maintenance, facilities to treat struggling Washingtonians are desperately needed and so are affordable housing options. This budget makes targeted investments with the limited resources we have.”

Warnick championed community projects for healthcare facilities in Moses Lake, securing $72,000 for the Community Health Center and $72,000 for the Ellensburg Community Fieldhouse.

“These district-funded projects highlight our dedication to tackling important community development initiatives and improving infrastructure. Working alongside my colleagues to bring real results back to our constituents has truly been an honor,” Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy said.

Other notable investments include:

$258,000 for the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association Bleachers
$100,000 for remodeling of KVH Surgical Services Clinic
$309,000 for upgrades at the Port of Quincy Business & Event Center

13th District lawmakers also worked to boost the state’s water infrastructure with a $5.5 million investment in Odessa, Washington.

“This supplemental spending plan balances needs and priorities across Washington state, while investing in projects that benefit the 13th District,” said Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake. “It includes infrastructure improvements in many areas, but I am especially pleased about the funding for the Columbia River Water Supply Development Program in Odessa.”

A complete list of 13th District projects can be found by clicking here.

Initiatives to the Legislature

No updates to this page will occur after March 7 until after the election in November.

Fed up with destructive and burdensome policies pushed by the Democratic majority, citizens from around the state collected more than 2.3 million signatures to submit 6 initiatives to the Legislature. All six received more than 400,000 signatures each and were certified by the Washington State Secretary of State in January and February of 2024.

After significant public pressure, the majority announced they would grant hearings on 3 of the initiatives. In the final days of the session, the Legislature passed I-2081, which supports parental rights in education, I-2111, which bans an income tax in Washington State, and I-2113, which restores law enforcement’s ability to pursue suspected criminals.

The 3 remaining initiatives will go before voters in the November election. You can find out more about the remaining initiatives by clicking on the linked images below.

Legislature approves Warnick bill expanding public-private partnerships on state-managed lands

Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Judy Warnick cleared its final hurdle with just three days left in the 2024 legislative session.

The state Senate unanimously concurred with amendments made by the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 5785 would allow the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to enter into longer-term agreements with charitable organizations to help maintain and protect the over 1 million acres it manages.

“Managing our state’s forests and natural resources is a shared responsibility and a pretty big task. My legislation harnesses the passion of volunteers to help preserve those resources for future generations,” Warnick said.

The House amendment clarifies the continued responsibility of the department to safeguard the state’s natural resources in concert with Indian tribes. Warnick’s legislation would expand the authority of DFW to contract with volunteer organizations and nonprofits to help manage those million acres in 33 wildlife areas and over 450 waterways.

“Volunteer-led organizations are critical partners in this valuable conservation work. Now the state Department of Fish and Wildlife will have more flexibility, building on their good work with community partners and tribes,” Warnick added.

The Legislature passed a law in 2013 that granted limited authority to DFW to work with volunteer organizations. Warnick’s bill would expand these partnerships with longer-term cooperative agreements and resources to deploy in the maintenance and preservation of public lands.

Warnick praised organizations like the Back Country Horsemen saying, “These community groups have been working quietly in the background helping the state and the public for years. I’m hopeful this legislation will provide more opportunities for people to get involved in taking care of our wildlife and state-managed lands.”

Warnick’s bipartisan bill now heads to the governor’s desk for final consideration.