Dear Friend,

It’s been about two weeks since the Legislature returned for a 30-day “special session”. The main attraction is negotiating an agreement on a final operating budget. There isn’t much to report–and there probably won’t be–until an agreement is actually reached, at which point we should be close to being done with legislative session.

Big Questions Remain On Budget

As I outlined in my last newsletter, the Senate and House budgets as they are right now couldn’t be more different. The Senate’s budget plan funds education first and balances in four years but does not increase taxes to get there. The House’s proposed plan, which every Republican and five Democrats voted against, relies on $900 million in tax increases and also dips into the state’s rainy day fund.

My goal remains a final plan that does not increase taxes on citizens who have clearly said “no more.”

Bills Signed Into Law

In other legislative news, I can report that Governor Inslee has signed some bills that I sponsored:

  • House Bill 1311: This bill simplifies unemployment insurance requirements for small fishing vessels with employees in a variety of jurisdictions.
  • House Bill 1764: This is designed to help end geoduck poaching and protect diver jobs and our natural resources.
  • House Bill 1886: Allows the Department of Agriculture to recover costs related to data entry and processing of animal health documents.
  • House Bill 1889: This bill secures financial resources for the Department of Agriculture to coordinate with county pest boards to eradicate apple maggots, which can be devastating to one of our state’s big agricultural money makers.

Property Owners Allowed Greater Protection Against Wolf Attacks

During the regular legislative session that just ended, I and several other legislators sponsored House Bill 1191, which was written to protect land and livestock owners from destructive wolf attacks.  Although the bill didn’t pass the Legislature, nevertheless at our urging the Fish and Wildlife commission addressed the issue by adopting an emergency rule that allows property owners to kill a wolf that is actively attacking livestock or a pet.

Although the rule is only temporary, it’s a good step forward to address the issue and protect property owners’ livelihoods.  I will keep working to make this rule a permanent part of the state wolf management plan as wolf populations continue to increase.

That’s all I have for now.  I hope you have had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and were able to take some time to remember those who have given their all to preserve our freedoms.

All my best,