Tag Archives: 13th Legislative District

Community economic revitalization bill adopted by Senate

Sen. Judy Warnick has been working for two years to boost rural economic development with changes to the Community Economic Revitalization Board. Today the Senate passed Senate Bill 5442 which makes needed changes to the Board’s requirements to improve competitiveness and spur economic growth.

The Board offers financing and grants to local jurisdictions but requires that entities receiving funding demonstrate that permanent private sector jobs created exceed the county median wage. This poses a problem for many rural areas with high paying industries in a portion of the county but other economically depressed areas.

“We have a situation where communities who could really benefit from this program cannot compete,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “This bill will mean a significant difference for rural communities by allowing 25 percent of projects awarded to be exempt from the median wage provision. We should be promoting opportunities to increase jobs and this change will mean more economic opportunity for rural communities. There will be a strong mix of prevailing, median, and near median wage jobs as a result of this legislation.”

Last year, then Rep. Warnick’s bill passed both chambers of the Legislature only to be vetoed. That bill would have provided for 50 percent of the projects awarded to be exempted from the median wage provision.

“This will attract more jobs to our communities and we have engaged with numerous stakeholders to make sure that concerns are addressed. The governor, labor groups and the Department of Commerce have come out in support of this bill to improve our state’s economy.”

Senate approves changes to collective bargaining for Department of Fish and Wildlife officers

Enforcement officers for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife must currently bargain collectively for a master agreement with the governor’s office that may include provisions not requested by the agency. The Senate passed Senate Bill 5763, sponsored by Senator Judy Warnick, R – Moses Lake which allows enforcement officers to negotiate separately with the governor’s office.

“Those responsible for keeping millions of acres safe for our citizens have requested this change to allow more flexibility in their bargaining process,” Warnick said. “The current requirements aren’t meeting the need of this unique group of state employees and I believe this change will help in the long run to make the process more efficient and fair.”

The legislation allows for the enforcement officers to remain under the current bargaining structure of the Personnel System Reform Act of 2002. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Railroad returns to Port of Royal Slope ownership

20150213_123810abSen. Judy Warnick’s bill, Senate Bill 5529 which returns ownership of the 26 mile state-owned railroad tracks to Port of Royal Slope cleared the Senate. The legislation gives the port authority five years to contract an operator for the rail line and gives supplies from the recent rehabilitation projects paid for by the state Department of Transportation to the port.

“The community has been working to find a sustainable plan to operate the railroad and I’m glad that we can give ownership back,” Warnick, R- Moses Lake said. “This will be an opportunity to boost economic development and preserve businesses in the area.”

The port, overseen by three elected commissioners, passed a resolution in 2013 asking the Legislature to transfer ownership of the rail lines. The line is owned by the state Department of Transportation after being purchased in 1993. Upgrades to the rail lines permit the transport of goods.

“We greatly appreciate all the hard work Senator Warnick has put in to getting this legislation passed,” said Port of Royal Commissioner Alan Schrom. “We’re excited and looking forward to restoring safe, reliable, and sustainable rail service to Royal City!”

Senate approves cottage industry bill

To 20150227_092509ksmeet the increasing popularity and demand for cottage foods, Sen. Judy Warnick, R- Moses Lake introduced Senate Bill 5603 which passed the Senate unanimously. The legislation increases the amount that kitchen to consumer vendors can make from $15,000 to $25,000.

“I am glad that we have been able to address the growing demand for cottage industries in our state,” said Warnick. “These are small, mostly family operations that are providing a service to their community and we should be supporting these entrepreneurs.”

Washington State allows for the sale of foods from home kitchens directly to consumers, licensed as cottage food by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Those small vendors only qualify if annual gross sales are below $15,000.

“This is a small change that could make a big impact by removing barriers for this growing industry.  It gives the Department of Agriculture the ability to adjust the ceiling that these small business can make without needing future legislation.”

Sen. Warnick’s E-newsletter – Feb. 24, 2015

Banner

February 24, 2015

=============
=============

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

It is hard to believe that we are nearly half-way through the 2015 legislative session. We reached a first milestone, Feb. 20, which was the first cut-off. This means that bills must have had a public hearing and be voted out of committee. This week we will be taking bills for a full vote in the Senate.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state Senator.

Sincerely,

Signature

Judy Warnick

13th District State Senator

=============
First Speech

First Bill Passed

 I recently had the opportunity to have my first bill pass out of the Senate. It is a tradition that a Senator’s first bill be given a hard time. I had colleagues get up and voice opposition to my bill, but in the end it passed unanimously. Another tradition is giving gifts from the district. I gave members Central Washington University scarfs, lolly hops (a lollipop made from hops), and honey from a local producer and a plaque that says, ‘Wheat is King.’ It was an exciting and fun opportunity. Please click here to watch a video of the days events.

=============
Capitol

The Legislative Process

Many times I use words and phrases that make sense for people very familiar with the legislative process. I want to touch on some terms that are good to know when engaging with the Legislature.

A popular term is “dropping a bill.” This means that a Senator has filed the necessary paperwork for a piece of legislation to be introduced.

I mentioned earlier in this newsletter about a “cut-off.” There are several of these during the legislative session. They are deadlines that we have to keep the process moving. Our state has a part-time Legislature that alternates between long and short sessions. Long sessions occur on odd- numbered years.

During long sessions, like the one this year, we work on the state’s two-year budget, called a “biennial budget.” The long sessions are scheduled for 105 days. Our first cut- off was Feb. 20. This means that bills must have a public hearing and voted out of the committee to keep moving along in the process. I will be providing updates on the legislative process in future e-newsletters.

Our state does a great job at engaging the public on legislative issues. Please click here to see some of the online resources available to understand and engage in the legislative process.
=============
Ports

Ports Memorial

Washington is a very trade dependent state and the impacts of the port slowdown has had an effect on our local economy, hitting agriculture producers, workers and families hard.

Thankfully, over the weekend, both sides in the dispute reached an agreement for a tentative five-year contract. You can read more about the agreement by clicking here.

At issue were concerns by workers over increased automation at the ports and how disputes are settled, particularly the arbitration process. The details of the agreement are not yet available but you can  click here to read a recent article about the dispute resolution.

I took every step possible to bring this issue to light among the media and my colleagues because if affects us all. My seatmates, Rep. Matt Manweller and Rep. Tom Dent, and I sent a letter to the President because only the Federal government can intervene in this labor dispute.

Please click here to read the letter.

The Senate introduced SJM 8009. The Senate Joint Memorial emphasizes the importance of trade to our state, and the importance of ports in our economy.The memorial urges action by the President and federal leaders to find a solution to the port slowdown.
=============

Stay Connected!

Please forward this e-newsletter to friends and family who may be interested in receiving information from the Capitol. Visit here to sign up.

[[SHARE]]

IN THIS ISSUE

=============
  • My first bill
  • Addressing gang violence
  • The legislative process
  • Ports memorial and letter

Contact Me

=============

Olympia Office:

103 Irv Newhouse Bldg.

P.O. Box 40410

Olympia, WA 98504

Olympia Phone:

360.786.7624

E-mail:

Judith.Warnick@leg.wa.gov

Website:

Click Here to Visit my Website

=============

Video Update

This session I am working on different ways to connect with people in my district. Every other week I sit down and discuss issues in the Legislature. Please click here to see my latest video update from Olympia.

=============

Su Gobierno

Es un honor servirles como su senadora. Estamos en la septima semana de la sesión legislativa del 2015 y estoy trabajando para representar sus prioridades al invertir en la educación, mantener los impuestos bajos y mejorar la economía para incrementar las oportunidades de trabajo en nuestra comunidad.

Este año tenemos que hacer el nuevo presupuesto para los siguientes dos años. Afortunadamente tenemos $3 billones de dólares más del presupuesto anterior y creo que debemos utilizarlos de manera responsable. Por lo tanto, la conversación para aumentar impuestos debería ser nuestra última opción. Esta sesión legislativa será un reto, pero estoy lista para colaborar con mis colegas del senado para llegar a una solución colectiva.

Your Government

It is an honor to serve as your senator. We are in the seventh week of the 2015 legislative session and I am working to represent your priorities like investing in education, keeping taxes low and bettering the economy to encourage  job opportunities in our community.

This year we have to make a new budget for the next two years. Thankfully we have $3 billion more than in our last budget and I believe we should utilize those dollars responsibly. Raising taxes should be our last option. This session will be a challenge but I am ready to work with my colleagues in the Senate to bring collaborative solutions.

=============

Combating Gang Involvement

I signed on to a bill that would find creative ways to address gang problems in our communities. The bill makes changes to prevailing wage requirements set by the Department of Labor and Industries.

This bill would allow for an exemption on public works projects for youth centers and programs that are geared toward gang prevention. Please click here to read a story on the bill.