Search Results for: town hall
Joint, End of Session Virtual Town Hall
Friends, The 2023 legislative session is coming to a close. I'll be sending out an in-depth update on where we've landed with the budget and my perspective on pressing policy issues, but I wanted to invite you to get some information at our upcoming virtual town hall. I'll be holding a joint community meeting with my House counterparts, Rep. Paul and Shavers on Tuesday, May 2 at 6PM. Mount Vernon Mayor, Jill Boudreau, has graciously agreed to moderate the town hall. Please click here ...
An update from Rep. Leonard Christian | 2.5 days remaining in 2023 legislative session
Dear Friends and Neighbors, With only about 60 hours remaining in the 2023 legislative session, the House and Senate are negotiating their differences on key bills and finalizing the details of the three state budgets: operating, capital, and transportation. We’ll have more information to provide about the budgets after end of business on Sunday. Parental rights at the forefront The bill to deny parents the right to know where their children are in certain circumstances has generated national attention. Senate Bill 5599 would exempt youth ...
Southwest Washington lawmakers oppose new tolling bill for I-5 bridge replacement project
The Washington State House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 5765 on Tuesday, which would open the door for tolling on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project between Vancouver and Portland. The bill would allow for tolls to be set by mutual agreement between the two state Transportation Commissions, and a toll account would be created for toll revenues. 18th District Reps. Greg Cheney, R-Battle Ground and Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, 17th District Reps. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver and Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, and 20th District ...
Senate Freedom Caucus ready for last stand in attack on Second Amendment rights
Senators remember Alamo, face overwhelming odds, prepare to defend U.S. Constitution As the Washington Senate readies for debate on Democrat-sponsored bills imposing severe new restrictions on gun ownership statewide, members of the Senate Freedom Caucus vow a last-ditch defense of Second Amendment rights. Members of the Freedom Caucus, a group of senators concerned with the preservation of constitutional rights, say they know the odds are daunting, but they won’t let it dampen their fighting spirit. They are drawing a bead on House ...
Senate Freedom Caucus ready for last stand in attack on Second Amendment rights
Senators remember Alamo, face overwhelming odds, prepare to defend U.S. Constitution OLYMPIA – As the Washington Senate readies for debate on Democrat-sponsored bills imposing severe new restrictions on gun ownership statewide, members of the Senate Freedom Caucus vow a last-ditch defense of Second Amendment rights. “Right now in the Washington State Senate, it feels a little like the quiet just before the Battle of the Alamo,” said Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. “We’re standing at the parapet and looking at the forces ranged ...
So far, so good for Pipeline Trail, other local projects
House and Senate capital budget proposals would fund Pipeline Trail, Remembrance Gallery, New Beginnings Homes, other public works Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Chris Gildon’s subscribers April 4, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Gildon’s e-newsletters, click here. Pierce County's Pipeline Trail is among the projects launched by capital budget proposals in the House and Senate. Eventually this paved trail will link South Hill to Tacoma, part of a trail network extending to Mt. Rainier National Park. Dear friends and ...
E-News: Yes to one budget, no to another -- and the latest on public safety
April 2, 2023 On the floor of the Senate chamber this week with Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick. This is his first session as a senator, coming over from the House; we're neighbors, as the 8th Legislative District is primarily the Kennewick and Richland portions of Benton County adjacent to our 16th District. Dear Neighbor, Greetings from Olympia! Since my previous report the Senate has voted on two budgets, and another important deadline has come and gone. Also, we’re now just three weeks away ...
An update from Rep. Leonard Christian: Funding for North-South freeway; Capital budget; parental rights
Dear Friends and Neighbors, We just wrapped up budget week here at the Capitol. That’s when all three House budget proposals – operating, capital, and transportation – are rolled out. Each proposal has a public hearing and is then voted out of committee. The best news for the Spokane Valley area is that House Bill 1125, the House transportation budget, contains an additional $176 million for the North-South freeway without the governor's scheduled delay. This happened thanks to the tireless advocacy of ...
State must step in to preserve local pharmacies
Note: The following op-ed appeared in the Cheney Free Press and other Eastern Washington weeklies during the week beginning March 20, 2023. By Sen. Shelly Short In small communities across Eastern Washington, the local pharmacy is a business you rely on. Often it is the only outlet for miles around where you can get your prescriptions filled and find a well-stocked selection of over-the-counter medications. Imagine what you would do if it closed. This is the troubling prospect facing many independent pharmacy owners ...
A shocking ruling from the state Supreme Court
People lose, government wins in income tax decision Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Wilson’s subscribers March 29, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Wilson’s e-newsletters, click here. The Temple of Justice in Olympia is home to the state's highest court. Dear friends and neighbors, In this e-newsletter, I’m going to tell you about the most shocking development in Washington politics since I-don’t-know-when. It’s not that anyone was surprised when the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the income tax last ...
Goehner sponsors St. George's Hall student in House Page Program
St. George's Hall student Apollo Decker traveled to Olympia and served as a page in the state House of Representatives the week of March 20-24. He was sponsored by his 12th District Rep. Keith Goehner. "I am glad Apollo made the effort to come to Olympia. Serving in the page program helps students get a better understanding of our political process and the issues before the Legislature," said Goehner, R-Dryden. “Apollo is a bright individual and I hope he stays engaged in state ...
Sen. Perry Dozier -- Legislative Video Update -- Register for March 28 Town Hall, and budget updates
Residents of the 16th Legislative District may sign up for our "virtual" town hall March 28 (7-8 p.m.) by going online to: https://leg-wa-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0G1NLa0NSimL7oQQhF_9cw Also, the Senate has released its operating- and capital-budget proposals for this budget cycle -- here's what they mean for our district and state. https://youtu.be/5lAo--KDuoA ...
Schoesler says Senate capital budget good for state, 9th District projects
The version of the 2023-25 state capital budget unanimously passed today by the Senate would address both statewide needs and local projects, says 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler. “The Senate’s capital budget would respond to needs all throughout Washington, and provide funding for important projects in a wide variety of categories, from education and public safety to housing and water and more,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville and the Republican lead on the Senate capital budget. “I’m pleased this budget would support many ...
An update from Rep. Leonard Christian: Gun bills, state revenue, and page program
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Thank you to all the folks who attended our 4th Legislative District town hall meeting on Saturday, March 18, at Center Place Event Center. Rep. Suzanne Schmidt and I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time back home and provide everyone with an update on the 2023 legislative session. We also received great feedback from constituents on the many important issues facing our region and state. For those who missed it, video of the event is available on ...
Democrats ‘gaslight’ those calling for police pursuit reform
Members of Legislature’s majority blame police, alleged ‘misinformation’ from Republicans for interest in rolling policy back to ‘reasonable suspicion’ standard OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following comments in response to accusations by a House Democrat that the public’s interest in reforming the current police pursuit law is a result of lies by law enforcement and Republicans. The claim was made this week during a virtual town hall held by the legislators of the 36th Legislative District. A similar ...
Sixteenth District state lawmakers to host virtual town hall Tuesday evening
OLYMPIA... Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg, and Reps. Skyler Rude and Mark Klicker, both R-Walla Walla, will hold a “virtual” town hall meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28. The three lawmakers serve Washington’s 16th Legislative District, which comprises Walla Walla County and adjacent parts of Benton and Franklin counties. Tuesday’s meeting, held using the Zoom platform, will give constituents an opportunity to learn more about the 2023 legislative session. In addition to reviewing some of the bills that have ...
Newsmaker Interview: Shelly Short
The following Q&A appeared on the ShiftWA site, March 17, 2023. Senator Short: “The buck stops with the governor” for his failure to follow the law to provide an exemption to farmers on rising fuel prices. March 17, 2023 / Newsmaker Interview This week’s Newsmaker Interview is with Senator Shelly Short (R – Addy) who serves the 7th Legislative District (Northeast Washington from the Cascade Mountains to the Idaho border). After serving in the state House of Representatives for four terms, she joined the Washington ...
An update from Rep. Leonard Christian: Town hall this Saturday; Stopping bad bills
Dear Friends and Neighbors, This Saturday, March 18, at 10 a.m. Rep. Suzanne Schmidt and I will host another in-person town hall meeting at CenterPlace Event Center (2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley). Residents of the 4th District are welcome to join us for a discussion about the many issues we’ve been working hard on and other important topics in our region and state. We look forward to seeing you there! Anti-gun bills scheduled for public hearing on Thursday, March 23 in Senate committee A ...
Please join us for our 17th District Town Hall meetings this Saturday
I hope this short letter finds you well. Thank you again for allowing me to serve you. I wanted to let you know I will be joining my 17th District seatmates Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, and Rep. Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, for a pair of town-hall meetings to discuss the ongoing 2023 legislative session. 17th District Legislators Sen. Lynda Wilson, Rep. Paul Harris, and Rep. Kevin Waters It will be nice to take a short breather from committee meetings and voting and meet ...
Rep. Keith Goehner's Legislative Update: Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, bad legislation stopped, update on public safety issues
The legislative session is more than halfway complete. Last week was the “house of origin” cutoff. That means bills that have not passed out of the chamber where they originated are dead for the session, unless some extraordinary steps are taken or they are deemed necessary to implement the budget (NTIB). In the House, we are now holding public hearings on the Senate bills sent to us. We have until March 29, to vote them out of the policy committees ...