Tag Archives: Economic Development

My E-newsletter – Feb. 24, 2017

 

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February 24, 2017

Greetings from Olympia,

This Friday is the fiscal committee cut-off, which means that the Senate’s budget committee, Ways and Means, has until the end of tomorrow to approve bills with budgetary implications. We have been working long days in the committee all this week to hear public testimony on legislation before deciding which bills to send to the Senate Rules Committee – which sets the voting calendar for the full Senate.

Several of my bills are still in play this legislative session, including a fix to the disastrous Hirst decision, which has brought rural economic development to a halt. If you haven’t been following this issue, it stems from a state Supreme Court ruling late last year that turns decades of water law on its head, preventing families who want to build in rural areas from obtaining water via household wells.

My legislation, Senate Bill 5239, would ensure that water is available to support families who don’t have the luxury of hooking up to municipal water resources. The bill received a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means committee this past Tuesday. Click here to watch the proceedings. There are clearly differences of opinion about how we solve this problem. I think my approach provides a comprehensive solution that addresses stakeholder concerns while ensuring that property owners regain the ability to obtain water in a convenient and affordable way. The consequences of inaction could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in financial losses to the citizens of our state.

BEEFManaging our state’s livestock

Two of my bills relating to livestock are still working their way through the legislative process. Senate Bill 5750 concerns livestock inspections. The changes it would make to the inspection fees assessed by the state Department of Agriculture are aimed at helping the beef industry thrive in our state. They have to do with collecting needed data for animal disease traceability and are the result of working with industry leaders to ensure ownership.

The second bill, Senate Bill 5793, also known as the Beef Check Off, would make changes to the per-head assessment for the state’s Beef Commission to increase funding to expand markets and help our beef industry be more successful during what are challenging times for the industry. The bill also requires that the commission provide a report to the Legislature on how the funds are used to support this critical part of our state’s economy.

Warnick committeeProtecting our state’s vulnerable

In addition to my work on agricultural issues, I have a passion for protecting our state’s vulnerable residents. Before this legislative session, I served on several special committees looking at Washington’s mental-health system as it relates to delivering critical services to families and children. As a result I introduced Senate Bill 5763, which would improve how the state coordinates mental health services for low-income children and ensures there are enough mental health professionals in our workforce.

MitsubishiRural Economic Development

I met recently with representatives of Mitsubishi here in Olympia. We discussed their ongoing efforts to boost employment opportunities in our community. I look forward to their continued involvement in our region.

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. Please watch your email, as I look forward to providing you with regular updates throughout the session.

Signature

Judy Warnick,

13th District Senator

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Contact Me

Olympia Office:

103 Irv Newhouse Bldg.

P.O. Box 40410

Olympia, WA 98504

Olympia Phone:

360.786.7624

District Phone:

509.766.6505

E-mail:

Judith.Warnick@leg.wa.gov

Website:

Click here to visit my website

Sen. Warnick’s E-newsletter – April 29, 2016

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April 29, 2016

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

Now that the legislative session is over, I am back in district meeting with constituents and gathering input on issues facing our community. This is an important time to prepare for the upcoming legislative session where we will be focusing on building a new state budget for the next two years.

I will be holding town hall meetings in Lincoln County May 2 and I hope you will be able to attend.

10:00 a.m.

Harrington Opera House – on the corner of Willis and South Third Streets

Enter on the South side of the City Hall Building,

19 S. Third Street, Harrington

2:00 p.m.

Wilbur Community Center

5 SW Railroad, Wilbur

New opportunities

Recently, my colleague, the Senate Majority Leader, requested that I be appointed to the Washington State Blue Ribbon Commission on the Delivery of Services to Children and Families, as referenced in Executive Order 16-03 by Governor Inslee.

I am honored to be nominated for this opportunity to work to improve the lives of children and families in our state.

During the interim I am keeping busy. I am a member of numerous committees and boards that meet when the Legislature is not in session. I recently met with those on the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System, (LEOFF) 2 Board. This group sets policy for the first responders’ benefits in that system. I sponsored a bill this session that became law, Senate Bill 6263 that allows members to receive full retirement benefits for injuries that are currently considered non-duty related, such as responding to federally declared emergencies.

I also serve on the Community and Economic Revitalization Board. It provides funding to local governments for public infrastructure to support private business growth and expansion. This program is critical to rural economic development and many jurisdictions in our district have successfully used these funds to improve their communities.

I continue working with constituents and state agencies such as the state Departments of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Fish and Wildlife to ensure that solutions are found for issues that have been brought to my attention, including:

  • Farm leases
  • Grazing leases
  • Water issues
  • Carbon emissions rules
  • Working toward completion of the Odessa Ground Water Replacement program

These executive agencies need to be aware of the impacts their regulations have so that rules won’t negatively affect our local businesses and communities. For example, the state Department of Ecology is drafting a rule regarding the rail transport of biological oil, such as canola. Currently, those types of biological oils are considered the same as crude oil for emergency planning purposes. Unfortunately, legislation that I sponsored to change that was not adopted. Senate Bill 6576 would have not required the same kind of planning for biological oil as is required when transporting crude oil by rail.

Although the Legislature is not in session, I am busy working on issues that affect our community.  I look forward to connecting with you while I am back in district and getting your insights on how we can improve our state and community.

It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions regarding your state government.

Sincerely,

Signature

Judy Warnick,

13th District Senator

Share my E-newsletter

Do 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!

Bookmark and Share

Contact Me

Olympia Office:

103 Irv Newhouse Bldg.

P.O. Box 40410

Olympia, WA 98504

District Phone:

509.766.6505

Olympia Phone:

360.786.7624

E-mail:

Judith.Warnick@leg.wa.gov

Website:

Click here to visit my website

Senate approves Warnick rural economic development bill in special session

A critical piece of legislation for Washington State’s economic health has been resurrected during the 2015 second special session. For two years Sen. Judy Warnick has been working to boost rural economic development. Wednesday the Senate approved Senate Bill 5442 which makes needed changes to the Community and Economic Revitalization Board requirements to improve competitiveness and spur economic growth.

“This is a priority issue for communities across the state,” said Warnick. “I am pleased that the Senate has made job creation and competitiveness for rural communities a priority.”

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. The version passed by the Senate allows for 25 percent of the jobs to be exempted from the wage provision.

“This legislation faced opposition when I brought if forward in the House and I’ve worked with stakeholders to find a solution,” Warnick said. “This legislation will mean more jobs for my district and communities statewide. Having more job opportunities as a result of the change in CERB policy is better than no jobs.”

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 in the same county.