Search Results for: town hall
35th district lawmakers secure millions in state budget funds
OLYMPIA… Last week, the Washington State Legislature passed this year's supplemental capital, operating, and transportation budgets, which update the 2023-2025 biennial budget passed last session. Thirty-fifth district lawmakers, State Senator Drew MacEwen and Representatives Dan Griffey and Travis Couture worked collaboratively to secure over $16 million in capital budget appropriations, nearly $2 million in operating budget appropriations, and $60 million in transportation budget appropriations, respectively. “The millions we were able to get in this capital budget will make a significant difference in ...
Rep. Keith Goehner | Three initiatives passed by the Legislature, wins for the citizens, capital budget projects for the 12th District
It has been a historic week in Olympia. On Monday, lawmakers passed three initiatives. I supported all three as they addressed important issues, as evidenced by the large number of signatures gathered for the initiatives and the overwhelming number of people who signed in favor of the measures during the public hearings. The three initiatives passed by the Legislature: I-2113 would restore police authority to pursue fleeing suspects. Since 2021, when the majority party passed HB 1054, crime has skyrocketed. Washington is among the nation's ...
17th District lawmakers secure more than $21 million in the 2024-25 supplemental capital and transportation budgets
The Washington State House of Representatives unanimously approved the state’s 2024-25 supplemental capital budget today. The biennial construction, repair, and infrastructure funding plan, Senate Bill 5949, appropriates a total of $1.33 billion in funding. Reps. Paul Harris and Kevin Waters, who helped secure more than $21 million of funding for the 17th District, were pleased to see that many important projects in their district will be moving forward, including: $300,000 for the downtown Camas Lighting Transformation project. $300,000 for a Fire Station 41 headquarters. $200,000 ...
House Republican Deputy Leader Mike Steele and Rep. Keith Goehner announce more than $26 million in district-funded projects included in 2024 supplemental capital budget
House Republican Deputy Leader Mike Steele and Rep. Keith Goehner have announced the inclusion of more than $26 million in district-funded projects in the 2024 supplemental capital budget, 2ESSB 5949. The budget received unanimous approval from House lawmakers today in Olympia. The announcement by the 12th District lawmakers highlights their commitment to securing funding for their communities. These allocated funds will support a variety of essential projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure, bolstering community services, and promoting economic development within the region. Steele, ...
E-News: Hearings scheduled on initiatives next week; this week went to budgets
With Sen. Lynda Wilson of Vancouver in the Senate chamber. The supplemental operating budget passed today by the state Senate reflects some of my input, which I worked through her as Senate Republican budget leader and her counterparts on the majority side. Keep reading for details. Dear Neighbor, Greetings from the state Capitol! I have important news about voter initiatives that couldn't wait... for reasons that will become apparent. This past weekend I reported to you how our Democrat colleagues had finally committed ...
Public hearings on the initiatives next week| An update from Rep. Leonard Christian
Dear Friends and Neighbors, The state House unveiled its 2024 supplemental capital budget proposal on Monday. As a member on the House Capital Budget Committee, I’ve been working hard to steer projects into our district, including: $10 million for the Seven Nations Healing Lodge youth expansion to help improve behavioral healthcare. $1 million for Broadway Senior Housing, a 60-unit affordable senior housing complex. $300,000 to design and implement accessibility for Scale House Market and Kitchen, including ADA parking accommodations and exterior lighting. $258,000 for a playground ...
Rep. Keith Goehner | Three initiatives scheduled for public hearings, proposed operating budget, town hall thank you
After more than six weeks in Olympia, the majority party in the House and Senate have announced they will permit hearings on three of the six initiatives submitted to the Legislature by the people this year. The hearings are scheduled for next week, about 10 days before the 2024 Legislature is scheduled to adjourn. I urge all citizens to weigh in on these important issues. Your voice matters, and now you have the opportunity to share it. Here are the details ...
Live from Olympia -- the good, the interesting, the controversial
Note: This e-newsletter originally was distributed to Sen. Gildon’s subscribers Feb. 23, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Gildon’s e-newsletters, click here. A visit from royalty: I was delighted this year to present the Senate resolution honoring Pierce County’s Daffodil Festival, and to welcome the Daffodil Court to the Capitol. The celebration, now in its 91st year, recognizes the leadership and volunteerism of our youth. A queen will be crowned March 2, and the celebration culminates in a grand floral parade April 6 ...
There’s still time to sign up for our Zoom town hall tomorrow
I hope this short letter finds you well. Thank you again for allowing me to serve you in Olympia. I wanted to remind you that I will join my 17th District seatmates, Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, and Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, for a virtual town-hall meeting tomorrow evening, Feb. 22 at 6:30, to discuss the 2024 legislative session. Those who wish to participate in the meeting must register for the event online by clicking here or by scanning the QR code ...
IN THE NEWS: Legislators from the 39th District take part in Concrete town hall
By Racquel Muncy / Skagit Valley Herald | Residents of the state's 39th Legislative District gathered at Concrete Theatre on Saturday for a town hall with Sen. Keith Wagoner and representatives Carolyn Eslick and Sam Low. ...Each of the legislators had an opportunity to speak about what is important to them before taking questions from the audience. Wagoner mentioned that in 2024 there are six initiatives from constituents and he is in favor of all six. ...One resident asked if the Legislature had thought ...
E-News: Property-tax threat goes away, but threat to rural health care remains
I was happy to welcome members of Teamsters 117, which represents Department of Corrections employees, when they came over from Walla Walla to visit the Capitol earlier this month. In response to the question "Who has been assaulted on the job?" probably half raised their hands. Feedback like this often inspires legislation, and I will be following up with them on this and other concerns in the spring. Dear Neighbor, Greetings from the state Capitol! This week the state Senate wrapped up its ...
Please join us at our virtual town hall next week for an update on the 2024 legislative session
It’s hard to believe the 2024 session is already entering its final weeks. On Tuesday, Feb. 13, we reached the house of origin cutoff, meaning that was the last day bills could be voted out of their respective chamber. After a week and a half of more committee meetings to consider bills from the Senate, we’ll head back to the floor for more voting, which will wrap up on March 7. Please Join Us for Our Virtual Town Hall Before I give ...
Lawmakers from 17th District to host virtual town hall Thursday, Feb. 22
The state lawmakers serving eastern Clark County and Skamania County will hold a virtual town hall meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, Feb. 22. Using the Zoom platform, Sen. Lynda Wilson and Reps. Paul Harris and Kevin Waters will give constituents an opportunity to learn more about the 2024 legislative session, which is scheduled to end March 7. In addition to reviewing some of the bills that have passed in the Senate and House of Representatives, and providing an update ...
Rep. Keith Goehner | Virtual Town Hall Feb. 19, three bills now in the Senate, bills increasing costs on taxpayers, and no action on initiatives
The Legislature has begun the sixth week of the 60-day legislative session. We are concluding several days of House floor action, as representatives have been caucusing and voting on several amendments and bills. There has been evening and weekend work as we get ready for a final push toward adjournment. In this email update, a reminder of the virtual town hall coming up, a look at "affordability" or "unaffordability" issues and bills before us this session, and the latest on the ...
Goehner bill to create Backcountry Search and Rescue Account passes House unanimously
House Bill 2257, sponsored by 12th District Rep. Keith Goehner which would create the Backcountry Search and Rescue Account, passed the state House of Representatives unanimously on Tuesday. Goehner said the bill results from considerable input and work behind the scenes to develop a funding mechanism for the search and rescue missions. "No matter what the circumstances, there will always be a need for these missions as more and more people access our state's beautiful backcountry. However, the cost and financial ...
Joint 13th District Virtual Town Hall
Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and Reps. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, are inviting constituents from the 13th District to join them for a one-hour Virtual Town Hall meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. to discuss the 2024 legislative session. The remote town hall meeting will be conducted using the Zoom platform. Those who would like to participate must pre-register in advance for the conference by clicking here. Participants can submit questions in advance. The conference can only accommodate the first 500 attendees, so constituents should register early. ...
Columbian Editorial: Understanding the Pledge will benefit democracy
Republished in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Contrary to commonly held belief, public classrooms throughout Washington are expected to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day. The Revised Code of Washington (28A.230.140) calls for “appropriate flag exercises to be held in each classroom at the beginning of the school day ... at which exercises those pupils so desiring shall recite the following salute to the flag: ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for ...
MacEwen to host telephone town hall Feb. 22
OLYMPIA… State Senator Drew MacEwen will host a telephone town hall on Thursday, February 22 starting at 7 p.m. He invites constituents from the 35th Legislative District to call in with questions and concerns about state government and legislation being considered during this year’s legislative session. With the end of the session approaching there are many items of importance to discuss, including the six initiatives that will be appearing on the November ballot. “No need to travel, all you need to do ...
Join my Feb. 17 town hall meeting | An update from Rep. Leonard Christian
Dear Friends and Neighbors, If you have not had a chance yet, please take a few moments to fill out my legislative survey on the six initiatives by clicking here. These initiatives were signed by over 800,000 Washingtonians and presented to the Legislature. Despite the clear language from the Washington State Constitution stating that initiatives should take precedence over other policy measures, the Democratic majority has still not held a single public hearing. I want to hear what you believe the Legislature should ...
BREAKING NEWS: Unneeded property tax hike is stopped in Senate
Note: This e-newsletter originally was distributed to Sen. Gildon’s subscribers Feb. 9, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Gildon’s e-newsletters, click here. I joined Senate Republicans at a news conference Thursday as SB 5770 was poised for a vote. You can see my remarks by clicking here. Dear friends and neighbors, Ready for some good news from Olympia? We learned this afternoon that one of the most controversial bills of our 2024 legislative session will not be advancing. Senate Bill 5770 would have amounted to ...