5/18/09
Dear Neighbors,
The 2009 Legislative session began just as the global recession that had been plaguing much of the rest of the nation hit our state full-force. What had been an $850 million budget surplus a year ago had turned into a $5 billion budget deficit by the time I arrived in January to be sworn in for my first legislative session. As the session wore on, the economy continued its decline and the deficit grew to $9 billion.
The focus of the session naturally centered on the revenue shortfall and how to protect critical state services. Ultimately, we agreed on a budget that protected many priorities of Washington’s people – basic education, health care for our children, and a safety net for our most vulnerable. It was a difficult – at times, heart-wrenching – process, but we produced a balanced budget. I will not sugarcoat the result for you: the economic recession drastically reduced state revenues and required significant cuts to social services, K-12 and higher education, and the capital budget, among reductions in other areas. Given these cuts, I was disappointed that we did not pass progressive tax reforms that would help our working families, vulnerable populations and businesses.
However, writing the budget was not the only thing we did this session. As daunting as the economic crisis is, we didn’t let it paralyze us. We kept focused on our core values and where, as a state, we want to be in the future. With that in mind, here are a few highlights about legislation that was passed this year.
K-12 Education: Basic education for the next generation.
Ensuring our children are ready for the world is the paramount duty of the state. With this critical mission in mind, the legislature took action on several important pieces of legislation.
Basic Education Finance Reform (HB 2261)
K-12: Creates a framework for historic reforms to our K-12 funding system. It starts with a redefinition of “basic education,” and will also ensure that any new requirements for schools are accompanied with funding.
Early Learning: Begins a process to include early learning for at-risk children (ages 3-4) as part of the Basic Education definition. The bill directs a working group to recommend parameters for the program, develop eligibility criteria, and determine how the program will be shared between the Department of Early Learning and the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction.
Student Achievement Gap (HB 2147/SB 5973)
Addresses the achievement gap that exists for students of color.
Statewide dropout reengagement system (HB 1418)
Creates a statewide dropout-reengagement system for youth aged 16 to 21 who have dropped out of school or are not expected to graduate by age 21.
High-school diplomas/options (HB 1758)
Provides that individuals who enroll in a community or technical college and complete an associate's degree are awarded a high-school diploma from the college, including students enrolled in Running Start.
Apple Health for Washington’s Kids.
Healthy kids are happy, productive learners. We’re ensuring all of Washington’s children have access to full health coverage including mental and dental health coverage as well as preventative care.
Children's health coverage (HB 2128)
This law brings us closer to the state's goal of every child having health coverage by 2010. We have already reached 96 percent coverage. HB 2128 defines the next key steps to reaching full coverage, including simpler administration, and outreach to ensure that eligible kids actually get the care they need. These efforts will also help us get enhanced federal funding to support our effort to have good health coverage for all children. (Delivered to Governor)
Children's mental health (HB 1373)
In 2007, the legislature expanded access to mental health services for children covered through Apple Health for Kids. It allowed health care providers, in addition to psychiatrists, to treat children and increased the number of visits covered. HB 1373 eliminates a June 30, 2010 expiration date on that benefit so that these important services continue to be available. (Delivered to Governor)
Environment: Evergreen Legacy for Washington’s future.
We must preserve and enhance our environment to protect our quality of life for generations to come. Electric vehicles (HB 1481) Requires state and local governments and other entities to implement the use of electric vehicles by modifying zoning and development codes, building permits, transportation policy, and environmental regulations.
Evergreen Jobs Act (HB 2227)
Establishes the Evergreen Jobs Initiative to create 15,000 new green-economy jobs by 2020, target 30 percent of the jobs to certain populations, and accelerate and coordinate "Leadership Team" efforts to secure federal and other green-economy funding. Authorizes workforce-training organizations to prioritize training programs that lead to certification for green-economy jobs. Includes clean energy, high-efficiency building, green transportation, forestry, and environmental protection as green-economy industries. The Evergreen Jobs Act will promote, develop and encourage green economic jobs, which will get our state on the right path toward becoming a world leader in green industries.
Restricting development into floodplains (HB 1967)
I was pleased to sponsor HB 1967 which limits the expansion of Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) into 100-year flood plains. Our state has experienced billions of dollars in flood related damage in recent years. This legislation effectively helps to protect thousands of acres of farmland, as well as personal property and human life from the dangers of flooding.
Investing in Clean Water (HB 1614)
Establishes a fee on petroleum products to clean up storm water pollution in our rivers, lakes and marine areas. Petroleum is the single largest contributor to storm water pollution. Contamination from petroleum products in surface water runoff accounts for up to ninety percent of the pollution load in Washington's water bodies. (This legislation passed by the House, but did not pass the Senate.)
Rescue tug (SB 5344)
Requires certain vessels entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Port Angeles to include a catastrophic-event response provision in their oil spill contingency plan that includes a contract with a rescue tug. This shifts the responsibility for funding the Neah Bay rescue tug from state taxpayers to the vessels that would use the tug.
Economy and Jobs: Support for Working Families and Fostering Economic Development.
Ensuring that our state remains strong during tough times by supporting our businesses and bolstering economic activity in our local communities.
Unemployment insurance (HB 1906)
Increasing weekly benefits to unemployed workers to assist them through these tough economic times.
Unemployment insurance conformity (HB 2204 / SB 5963)
Reduces the tax burden on our businesses and providing additional benefits to unemployed workers.
Minority and women's business (HB 1087)
Requires the Office of Financial Management to work with the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises in developing a strategic plan addressing the effectiveness of state agencies in helping small minority and women's businesses compete for state contracts.
Small Business Assistance (SB 5723)
Directs the Small Business Development Center to work with economic and workforce-development organizations to integrate, target, coordinate, and tailor its services, and to increase satellite offices when financially feasible. Adds an institution's contributions to business-assistance organizations as a factor in evaluating a bank's performance in meeting community-credit needs. Requires that state-agency purchased goods and services, as well as personal, information, and printing services bids must be posted on the state's electronic vendor registration and bid-notification system. Requires the state to develop procurement policies and procedures that encourage and facilitate state-agency purchases of products and services from in-state small businesses.
Transportation: Keeping Washington Moving.
Investing in our transportation infrastructure to help people move throughout the region and enable our economy to thrive.
Despite the economic downturn, the transportation budget is still able to forge ahead with unprecedented investments to keep Washington moving. Construction of the 2003 Nickel and 2005 TPA revenue packages will hit their peak in this upcoming biennium, providing thousands of jobs and improving our system.
This budget together, with the $341 million of federal stimulus funds, represents an unprecedented level of nearly $5 billion for transportation projects at the time our people and the economy need it most.
Civil Rights: Expanding rights for domestic partners.
Registered domestic partners (HB 1727 / SB 5688)
Provides that for all purposes under state law, state-registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses and that provisions of the act shall be liberally construed to achieve equal treatment, to the extent not in conflict with federal law.
Thank you for your interest in state government and for subscribing to my E-memo. Your input is important to me and is key part of the democratic process. However, please do not hit “Reply” to this message, as it is an automated service.
To contact me directly, please send an email to white.scott@leg.wa.gov
Thank you for your time and the opportunity to serve you as your State Representative.
Sincerely,
Scott White
State Representative 46th Legislative district
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