Tag Archives: 13th Legislative District
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Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, voted today to let Washington voters have the final say on requiring a higher level of approval for tax measures. Senate Joint Resolution 8211, which would change the state constitution so that tax increases would need support from a two-thirds majority of lawmakers, failed to receive the necessary 33 votes in the Senate for adoption which means voters will not be able to decide on a ballot measure to change the state constitution.
“The voters in Washington have said six times for over two decades that it should be harder for the state to raise taxes and their voice should be heard,” said Warnick. “The solution to our state’s challenges is not taking more and more of the people’s money. Our Senate majority has demonstrated that we can make issues like education a priority without raising taxes. Minority Democrats in the Senate made every excuse as to why they didn’t trust the people of Washington to have a voice, and I think they are wrong.”
A respected research poll conducted statewide in December found 60 percent of those responding believe a supermajority vote by lawmakers should be required to raise taxes; 65 percent agreed voters should be given a chance to vote on whether to make the supermajority tax-approval rule part of the state constitution.
“Today’s vote was not about taxes. Today’s vote was about the people,” Warnick said. “In 2012, 73 percent the voters in my district supported I-1185, which required a two-thirds majority to raise taxes only to have the state Supreme Court rule it unconstitutional. It is disappointing that this effort to let voters decide if they want to amend their constitution was defeated.”
SJR 8211 would define “raise taxes” as any action or combination of actions that increase state tax revenue deposited into any fund, budget, or account. It also would require a simple-majority vote in both legislative chambers to impose or increase a fee in any fiscal year; that change would end lawmakers’ practice of delegating the fee-setting authority to various agencies.
Sen. Judy Warnick’s legislation to prevent the spread of invasive species, pests and disease through compost cleared the state Senate Wednesday with a near-unanimous vote.
Senate Bill 6605 would create a process for the state Department of Agriculture to review applications for moving waste for composting from facilities in quarantine areas to areas not under quarantine. The goal is to review information to ensure that facilities are not at risk of spreading plant pathogens, disease or pests.
“This bill makes sure that the transportation of waste meant for composting doesn’t spread harmful organisms that could endanger our state’s valuable agricultural products,” Warnick said. “We have seen incidents in which pests could have made their way into an area they should not have because of improper siting of a facility. Given that our state’s prominence in agricultural exports, it is critical that we do all we can to ensure the viability of our crops.”
Last year, the value of Washington’s apple crop alone was $3.7 billion, with total economic value to the state being $8 billion. Of the 142 million boxes produced, 30 percent are exported.
“We have state agencies reviewing applications for these types of facilities, however this critical component is not being addressed,” said Warnick. “The process laid out in my bill would ensure compliance with quarantine rules and strike a needed balance.”
Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake offered this statement in response to REC Silicon’s announcement that it is suspending operations until at least June:
“REC Silicon is a major employer in our community and news of their closure is going to have a significant impact, even though it may be temporary,” said Warnick. “People who rely on these family-wage jobs will be deeply affected. Unfortunately, as I and other members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee were recently told, there is very little help for state employers and displaced employees to turn to in this situation. As a result, some 500 people will lose their jobs for months as trade wars over environmental policy between the U.S. and China continue.
“Although I cannot solve the larger challenges posed by tariffs and international politics, I am very concerned for our community and frustrated at the results. In addition, the pressure of increased state regulations makes the decision easier for businesses to relocate or close their Washington operations in a globally competitive market. Our state’s trade dependence and eye toward international business makes Washington an attractive location, but the threats of punitive state environmental regulations to deal with a global problem won’t help.
“I understand Governor Inslee has pledged to continue conversations with the Chinese and U.S. governments to resolve their disputes over silicon tariffs. I support those efforts and will work with him for a speedy resolution to this critical situation being faced by our Moses Lake area families.
Click here to watch the recent Senate Ways and Means discussion on the state response to layoff aversion.
Click here to read the press release from REC Silicon on its planned curtailment.
 Update from Olympia – February 5, 2016 |
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Greetings Friends and Neighbors,We have reached the half-way point in the 2016 legislative session. When the Legislature adjourned last July, our state’s budget was balanced, making critical investments in our state’s K-12 system, investing in higher education and our state’s safety net. This year, much of our work is focused on funding K-12 education and addressing the costs of a very active fire season. In these even-numbered years the Legislature convenes for only 60 days to make minor adjustments in the state budget and address pressing policy issues. The legislative session is scheduled to conclude March 10 and I am looking forward to finishing on-time with a sustainable budget that makes the right investments for Washington.  A look at our state’s budget
Washington’s economy is growing and that positive news has meant a lot for our state’s budget. Last year we were able to fend off plans to raise taxes by over $1 billion. With additional revenue coming in it seemed irresponsible to spend beyond our means. The chart above tells an interesting story about our state’s four-year budget outlook. As required by law Washington’s budget must be balanced over four years. The Legislature adjourned with a strong bipartisan and balanced budget that left $47 million in reserves. As a result of the Governor’s veto the budget was in the negative by $23 million. Positive economic news brought an additional $313 million to the state’s treasury but costs related to last years active fire season and out of control costs at the states Health Care Authority have resulted in a negative balance for the state. If you include the Governor’s policy proposals in his budget the problem becomes even worse. This is the kind of government spending that cannot continue. We need sustainable and responsible budgeting especially when revenue is up more than 10 percent.
Interesting facts about our economyAlthough larger urban areas have seen unemployment drop and other positive economic news, I am working to make sure this upswing results in more jobs for our area and opportunities for our local small businesses. I found this report on state economics interesting. Click here to learn where our state ranks in the economic recovery. Washington is a very trade dependent state. In fact we are the largest per capita exporter according to the state Department of Commerce, with nearly $90.5 billion in exports. The Washington Council on International Trade notes that rail is a key component to continued economic prosperity. Our local farmers depend on rail to move their goods to market, statewide nearly 10 percent of Washington’s gross domestic product relies on freight rail to move agricultural and even aerospace products to market. All told, this industry supports over 200,000 jobs in Washington State.
Education challengesWith nearly half of our state’s $38 billion budget allocated to K-12 education, the Legislature is still grappling with complex policy issues around meeting the state’s obligation to fully funding education. The reality is that student achievement and success is not just about writing another check. Of particular interest during this legislative session is addressing how the state compensates teachers. Local districts through their levies are disproportionately bearing too much of the burden and the state is looking for ways to take on that aspect of school funding that is fair and balanced so that the quality of a child’s education isn’t determined by their ZIP code. There are several proposals being worked on by a group of bipartisan lawmakers. However, this may be a heavier lift than can be accomplished in this short legislative session. In addition to compensation, our state faces teacher and substitute teacher shortages. Rural and lower income school districts face challenges recruiting and retaining talented teachers that make all the difference in a class room. Creating a more fair school funding at the state level that doesn’t over rely on local property taxes, which varies greatly between school districts, would go a long way in addressing teacher recruitment. The Legislature also needs to look at other regulatory issues that keep educated professionals from entering the teaching profession. Currently a person with a master’s degree can teach at a community college but without additional education and certification is unable to teach in our K-12 system. There must be common sense reforms we can put in place to expand opportunities in our educator workforce to meet the needs of students in our state. In RemembranceLate last week we received news that a former legislator representing part of our district in Lincoln County passed away. Representative Robert Dale Timm served the 8th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives from 1951 to 1959. I did not have the privilege of working with former Rep. Timm but he leaves behind a lasting legacy of accomplishment and public service. I recall that my own late mother spoke fondly of many Timm family members with whom she attended grade school. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions regarding state government.
Sincerely,
Judy Warnick, 13th District Senator Share my E-newsletterDo you know others who live in our district who may not be receiving my e-news updates? Please feel free to forward this e-mail invitation to them or click on the share button below. If you have received this without directly subscribing, please visit my website by clicking here and sign up to receive my e-newsletters!
Contact MeOlympia Office:103 Irv Newhouse Bldg. P.O. Box 40410 Olympia, WA 98504
Olympia Phone:360.786.7624
E-mail:
Website: |
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Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, has introduced legislation to address growing privacy concerns stemming from a new state rule that loosens access to gender-specific facilities at public and private organizations.
The rule change, quietly adopted by the state Human Rights Commission on Dec. 26, permits persons to use locker rooms, restrooms and similar accommodations according to their gender identity. Warnick’s bill, Senate Bill 6548, carefully considers challenges faced by transgender individuals while balancing the real privacy and safety concerns regarding use of gender-specific facilities.
“We need to be sure that we are addressing everyone’s concerns,” Warnick said. “Looking at how this rule was adopted, it is apparent that the commission didn’t seem to consider the effects it would have. By its own admission the agency did not post the rule to its website for public comment and failed to follow other processes for adopting rules. The process clearly broke down.”
Warnick’s legislation would maintain protections for transgender people but specifically address the rule adopted by the commission.
“This bill is a common-sense approach to a complicated subject,” Warnick said. “We want to be sure that no one is being prevented from using facilities, but we need to be aware of the shortsighted effects of the rule that was adopted. This issue is indicative of a larger problem with the administrative rule making process that makes policies with the force of law with no input from the public.”
Critics of proposed legislative fixes to the executive-agency rule have dismissed safety and privacy concerns raised by parents and legislators. However, recent news regarding similar policies elsewhere has lent credence to finding a balance. For instance, the University of Toronto recently jettisoned a similar transgender-bathroom policy after two incidents where male students were filming women in shower stalls.
“My bill simply states that people must use the gender segregated facilities according to their biological gender,” Warnick explained. “That doesn’t prohibit the use of gender-neutral facilities or extend to transgender people who are post-operative. The new rule just doesn’t makes sense when an 8-year-old girl must shower next to a grown man because he identifies otherwise.”
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Update from Olympia – January 21, 2015
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Greetings Friends and Neighbors,I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start. Things are already busy here in Olympia in the second week of the 2016 legislative session. With only 60 days in this “short” session, the Legislature must focus its work on the real priorities of state government like investing in education and reducing burdensome regulations. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to deliver results for the citizens of our state. The Legislature adjourned in 2015, after numerous overtime sessions, with a new budget that made history. Investments in our K-12 system are at all-time highs, with nearly 50 percent of state spending going to basic education. Our Senate majority led the way with the first college-tuition reduction in state history, giving needed relief to working families and students across the state. I look forward to building on these kinds of results in this legislative session. Committee Highlights
I continue to serve as the chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water and Rural Economic Development Committee. This year we have already begun looking at ways to comprehensively address our state’s water quality and access needs. Last year’s drought had significant impacts on our state’s farmers, families and small businesses. Although experts are not predicting a drought this year, we must work together to find ways to mitigate future drought problems. In addition, the Legislature must invest in communities affected by last year’s fire season so that they can rebuild and recover. Although our district was not directly impacted by wildfires, firefighters from our community and around the state lent a helping hand to our neighbors in need. Addressing wildfires means more than focusing on recovery. Our state must also push for better forest management to prevent the buildup of fuels on the forest floor. Continuing to improve education
Public school employees and me outside of my office in the Irv Newhouse Building in Olympia
Our Senate majority is working to reverse the effects of 30 years of budget decisions that put education at a lower priority than non-education programs. Since the formation of the Senate Majority Coalition in 2013, per-student funding has increased by over 33 percent and overall spending on K-12 education is at levels not seen in decades. That is strong progress. Along with these significant changes, the Legislature must also act to protect school choice. Late last summer the state Supreme Court ruled that the way public charter schools are funded is unconstitutional. Our Senate education committee has already approved legislation that responds to the justices’ ruling and would preserve school choice for over 1,000 students in our state whose needs aren’t being met in traditional public schools. I recently met with public school employees here in Olympia and I want to thank them for their hard work for our students and for taking the time to speak with me about their experiences.These kinds of meetings are invaluable as we work to improve education for children in our state. It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions regarding state government.
Sincerely,
Judy Warnick, 13th District Senator Share my E-newsletterDo you know others who live in our district who may not be receiving my e-news updates? Please feel free to forward this e-mail invitation to them or click on the share button below. If you have received this without directly subscribing, please visit my website by clicking here and sign up to receive my e-newsletters!
Contact MeOlympia Office:103 Irv Newhouse Bldg. P.O. Box 40410 Olympia, WA 98504
Olympia Phone:360.786.7624
E-mail:
Website: |
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