Search Results for: town hall
Legislative Republicans support ban to prohibit a personal income tax
Click here for a timeline of the 11 voter rejections of an income tax in Washington state. OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, released the following statement in response to the certification of I-2111, which would enact a ban that would prohibit any level of government from imposing an income tax on the people. Voters have overwhelmingly rejected an income tax 11 times, including once in an advisory vote. “Our state has an affordability crisis. ...
19th District lawmakers to host Virtual Town Hall meeting Wednesday, Jan. 31
Sen. Jeff Wilson, Rep. Jim Walsh, and Rep. Joel McEntire are inviting residents of the 19th District to join them for a one-hour Virtual Town Hall meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 31, starting at 6 p.m. Those who wish to participate must register in advance for the meeting. The virtual town hall format allows the public to interact with their lawmakers via their computers, tablets or smartphones. The event will be conducted using the Zoom platform. Lawmakers will discuss major issues of the 2024 legislative session and provide constituents an ...
Rep. Leonard Christian honors members of the Washington National Guard
Today, Rep. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, spoke in favor of House Resolution 4661 honoring members of the Washington National Guard for their service and sacrifice to Washington state and the nation. Transcript: On July 3rd, 1984, I joined the United States Air Force. After 20 years and 8 months, I retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant, and it is an honor to be able to stand here today and speak in favor of this House Joint Resolution. Today, ...
Wagoner: No need to raise property taxes and rents; there is a better way to get needed funds to local governments
Legislative Democrats recently held a hearing on Senate Bill 5770, which would triple the allowable growth rate of property taxes and almost certainly drive record-high rents up even more. While proponents point to the tax proposal as a way to get much-needed funds to local governments, Sen. Keith Wagoner has introduced two bills to accomplish that goal without punishing already-struggling property owners and renters. “I’ve seen a lot of bad ideas in Olympia but raising property taxes and rents during a housing-affordability ...
Dozier asks for committee hearing on parental-rights initiative
OLYMPIA… Under Washington’s constitution, initiatives to the Legislature are to have precedence over all other measures before lawmakers except spending bills. Sen. Perry Dozier today added an exclamation mark to that requirement by formally asking the chair of the Senate’s K-12 education committee to hold a hearing on Initiative 2081 “as soon as possible.” I-2081, certified to the Legislature this past week by the secretary of state, would establish a wide-ranging parents’ bill of rights. Dozier, R-Waitsburg, is prime sponsor of ...
Goehner legislation to create back country search and rescue grant program receives public hearing
Legislation that would support back country search and rescue organizations and volunteers through the creation of a grant program had a public hearing in the House Innovation, Community and Economic Development, and Veterans Committee on Friday. House Bill 2257, sponsored by Rep. Keith Goehner, would create the Back Country Search and Rescue Grant Account. "More and more people are taking advantage of the great recreational opportunities we have in Washington state, particularly the Twelfth District with its well-known mountains, trail ...
Update from Olympia
Greetings Friends and Neighbors, Things are moving quickly here in Olympia with over 1,000 new bills introduced in the state Legislature. I’d like to think that many of these proposals are needed to address problems our citizens are facing, but a cursory look reveals some troubling themes that I’ve discussed before, particularly when it comes to public safety. I won’t rehash the debates of last session, but suffice it to say that reforms around police pursuits and drug possession were needed and perhaps ...
Standing up against radical proposals in Olympia | An update from Rep. Leonard Christian
Dear Friends and Neighbors, We just wrapped up week two of the 2024 legislative session. Only seven weeks remain before we gavel out, sine die, and so stay tuned and get involved! Standing up against radical proposals This week in the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee, we heard a bill that, shockingly, would allow convicted murderers and rapists to serve as jurors, vote, and run for elected office while in prison. In Washington, those convicted of an “infamous crime” are not allowed to ...
Republican leaders support Initiative 2117 to repeal carbon tax, call for public hearings on the measure
Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary released a joint statement today following the certification of Initiative 2117 (Concerning carbon tax credit trading) by the Secretary of State on Tuesday. "Governor Inslee and Democrats misled the public about the costs of the carbon tax on working families, farmers and small businesses. Now that Washingtonians know the truth, they are pushing back and saying 'no' to this regressive tax. "Every House and Senate Republican opposed this policy from day ...
Sen. MacEwen calls on committee chair to hear I-2117
OLYMPIA, Wash – On January 16, Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs certified I-2117, an initiative to repeal provisions of the Climate Commitment Act by prohibiting any carbon tax credit trading. The initiative received about 420,000 signatures to qualify for the November ballot. As ranking member and lead Republican on the Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, Washington State Senator Drew MacEwen requested the Committee Chair, hold a public hearing. Article II, section 1(a) of the Washington State Constitution states, “The first power ...
8th District lawmakers to host virtual town hall Feb. 17
– In a combined effort to support open communication and more community engagement, three 8th District lawmakers are hosting a virtual town hall on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. Washington State Senator Matt Boehnke (R), State Representative Stephanie Barnard (R), and State Rep. April Connors (R), all three representing the 8th Legislative District, invite the public to attend the virtual event. Virtual Town Halls are a great way for local residents in the Tri-Cities area to connect and engage with ...
State-run detention centers like Green Hill School need security-protocol overhaul
Governor needs to be accountable, stop minimizing problems OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and Centralia Chief of Police Stacy Denham are disputing the governor’s recent claim that security protocols at Green Hill School, the state-run maximum-security detention facility in Chehalis, are “improved.” They provided the following statement in response. “We cannot emphasize enough how badly the hiring, training and security protocols at Green Hill School and other state-run detention facilities across Washington need to be overhauled to ensure the safest and ...
NEWSLETTER: Session begins TODAY -- you can testify in support of my bills -- learn how
Friends and Neighbors, Today marks the beginning of the 2024 Legislative Session. We operate on a biennial schedule, so this is the "short" year. This means we meet for 60 days, during which time we are tasked with making minor adjustments to the biennial state budget adopted in 2023 rather than writing an entirely new budget. We also can continue work on bills we sponsored last year. My priorities this session are to make Washington a safer and more affordable place to ...
VIDEO: Sen. Shelly Short on NCWLIFE in Wenatchee
Sen. Shelly Short speaks with NCWLIFE’s Jefferson Robbins about her expanded 7th Legislative District, including her hometown of Addy in Stevens County. https://youtu.be/br9xqnp_sAA ...
Braun bill aimed at getting chronically absent students to re-engage with classes, resume path to graduation
OLYMPIA… Chronic absenteeism is among the major obstacles preventing Washington children from recovering from pandemic-related learning loss. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, has introduced legislation to help school administrators, teachers and parents get students to show up to school and take part in class. Senate Bill 5850 would provide support for students who are at risk for not graduating high school due to chronic absenteeism. Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island and chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education ...
A December update from Rep. Leonard Christian
Happy Hanukkah! More than simply a time for friends and family to gather for festivities, it’s an annual reminder of the perseverance of the Jewish people. During the upcoming session, I will be supporting efforts to stem the rising tide of antisemitism we’ve seen nationally and here at home. Antisemitism has no place in Washington state. Upcoming town hall meeting Rep. Suzanne Schmidt and I are inviting constituents to join us for a one-hour in person town hall meeting at the Spokane Valley Library on Thursday, Dec. ...
4th District Reps. Schmidt and Christian to host town hall on Dec. 14 at Spokane Valley Library
Fourth District State Representatives Suzanne Schmidt and Leonard Christian are inviting constituents to join them for a one-hour town hall meeting at the Spokane Valley Library on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. to discuss the upcoming 2024 legislative session and any issues impacting the citizens of the 4th District. Anyone with questions prior to the town hall meeting can contact Rep. Schmidt’s office at 360-786-7820 or Rep. Christian’s office at 360-786-7984. ...
NEWSLETTER: Chronic absenteeism -- Kids can't learn if they keep skipping class
Friends and Neighbors, This will be my final e-newsletter for 2023. You will receive my next one during the first week of January, so I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The 2024 Legislative Session begins Monday, Jan. 8. It will end Thursday, March 7. You will receive weekly e-newsletters from me so that you are kept informed about my work, but I will also cover other legislative issues that affect you. If you want to ...
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Reminder: In-person town hall meeting tomorrow on Oregon Road fire response and upcoming 2024 session
Tomorrow, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m., Spokane County Assessor Tom Konis and I will be hosting an in-person town hall meeting focused on the Oregon Road fire response and upcoming legislation that will help victims of the fires. The meeting will be held at Country Church of the Open Bible, 40015 N. Collins Road, in Elk. You’re invited to join the discussion and share your story. This is a great opportunity to hear about the bills that might be voted on in ...