Legislative Update from Representative Phyllis Kenney

Let’s put Washington back to work

Today marks the beginning of week three in the 2010 legislative session, and things are really moving quickly. We passed our first bill on Wednesday, and I'm very happy to report that it’s a big one, aimed at creating jobs in every corner of our state.

The Jobs Act of 2010, expected to create 38,000 jobs, was approved the same day unemployment numbers in our state grew to 9.5% -- the highest level since 1984. The Seattle Metropolitan unemployment rate is slightly below that at 9.2%. The bill will not only provide good-paying jobs, it will repair our public schools and universities, making them safer, healthier and more energy efficient.

It's an innovative way to create a lot of jobs because most of the work is self-financed. Here's an example of how it works: energy contractors do an audit of an elementary school and estimate how much could be saved in power costs, every year, by replacing old leaky windows, putting in a heat pump instead of a furnace and using better insulation.

Then the money saved on electricity each month is used to finance the work. Contractors are careful and good at this now, because if the savings don't materialize, it's in the contract that they're on the hook to repay the bonds.

Schools and universities like this creative idea, because after the projects are paid off, they get to keep the money saved every month in lower electricity bills. Once these projects are done, taxpayers will save $190 million a year in reduced energy costs.

The Jobs Act passed the House 57-41, and now it's being considered by the Senate, but ultimately you will decide if this is the right thing to do – the JOBS Act, if passed by the Senate, will be on the ballot in November for your consideration.

There are other ideas for creating jobs, and we'll be voting on more bills in the House along with some ideas from Gov. Chris Gregoire.

But the Jobs Act is important because it's one thing we can do to create a lot of jobs for some of the people hit hardest by the global recession: construction workers.

The latest estimate is that 40,000 construction workers are out of a job right now. If you look at the average weekly unemployment check -- $400 dollars -- and multiply that by all those hard hats standing in the unemployment line, it's more than $2 million a day.

I believe we can -- and should -- put those good people back to work. Their paychecks help stimulate our whole economy. Let's have them pick up their hammers, put their hard hats back on and put them to work building us better schools and universities.

Budget cutting process underway

On Friday, the House passed the first budget bill of the session. As you’ve heard, there is a revenue shortfall of about $2.6 billion that must be addressed between now and June 30, 2011.

That number will move up and down as we get new information regarding caseloads and revenue forecasts, but it’s safe to say we have a pretty big problem facing us. After balancing a $9.2 billion shortfall last year, this may seem easy by comparison, but in reality it is much harder.

The early saving bill comes only twelve days into the 2010 session and allows legislators to capture some early savings without waiting to vote on the full supplemental budget, a budget that won't be approved until the final days of session.

The bill makes $46.7 million in savings and extends numerous cost-saving measures approved by the Legislature last session.

The savings include:

• $18.6 million in administrative savings such as not hiring for vacant positions and reducing contract, travel and equipment spending.
• $9.4 million in efficiency savings such as consolidating printing functions in DSHS and expediting nursing home discharges.
• $10 million in service reductions to programs such as the Passport foster care program or Special Commitment Center services.
• $8.7 million in underexpenditures/federal funds including money unspent in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The measure now heads to the Senate.

I am interested in hearing any of ideas for savings, efficiencies, and cuts to our state’s budget.

Donation to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund

Date: January 22, 2010


To: American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington D.C. 20013

Subject: Donation

Last night at our January General Membership meeting for Washington State’s 46th District Democratic Organization, we received a unanimous vote from our members to send the proceeds from their contributions for food and beverage provided at that event to support your efforts in Haiti.

These monies are normally intended to help fund our operating expenses and it is with great pride that we put these in your hands for appropriate use. The amount we collected was $300.

Sincerely,

Stan Moffett, Treasurer
46th District Democrats
Seattle, WA

cc: Chad Lupkes, Chairman
46th District Democrats
Seattle, WA

Legislative update from Sen. Ken Jacobsen

Dear Neighbors:

We have just begun the 2010 legislative session in Olympia. Currently we are facing a $2.6 billion shortfall, and you have probably heard news reports of the possibility of even deeper cuts that could detrimentally affect our workforce, healthcare infrastructure and economic security. I want you to know that in the face of this challenge I remain committed to promoting your goals and keeping my pledge to represent the people of the 46th Legislative District here in Olympia.

I am sending this e-newsletter to update you on some bills that I am working on. I would welcome any input or feedback you might have on this legislation.

A Food Policy Council for a Vibrant and Sustainable Statewide Food System

Clearly there is scope for improvement when it comes to our food system in Washington State. In the face of challenges to our agricultural economy, a concern for food safety and other issues of public health such as high rates of obesity, it is imperative that the Legislature produce a solution to better secure the food system in our state.

To that end, I have sponsored Senate Bill (SB) 6343 which would create a food council whose purpose is to tackle the very problems that currently plague our food system.

Among the several goals the Food Policy Council would be responsible for are:

• To develop programs that would promote the production of healthy food grown in our State for the people of our State.
• To protect resources needed for sustained local food production.
• To reduce food insecurity and hunger in Washington State.

SB 6343 had its first reading on January 12, 2010 and has been referred to the Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Committee.

Near-Term Benefits to Sustainable Recreation

Due to the projected budget shortfall there is a possibility that more than twenty trail systems and campgrounds operated by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be closed in late March. Included on the potential list are the popular Mount Si and Little Si trailheads (500,000 visitors combined last year) as well as popular recreation sites in the South Sound.

To prevent any closures I have sponsored SB 6237 which would provide a short-term infusion of general-fund money to keep the sites open. To ensure the future of these sites, SB 6237 would also grant the DNR authority to charge fees for use of certain recreation facilities for events hosted on DNR lands, among other options to generate additional revenue to keep these sites open.

I know firsthand the joy these recreation sites can provide and will do my best to ensure that they remain accessible to the public.

I encourage you to share your thoughts with me. You can find more information on issues by visiting my Web site at http://sdc.leg.wa.gov/jacobsen.htm.

Sincerely,
Ken

About the 2010 Senate Race

Word has arrived through blogs and press releases that Senator Ken Jacobsen will face a Primary challenge in 2010 from David Frockt, an attorney who lives in our district. Mr. Frockt has also called me to let me know that he was starting his run. This gives me an opportunity to review the mission of the 46th District Democrats:

The purpose of the organization shall be to promote citizen participation in the Democratic Party, advance the 46th District Democrats’ platform, and support and work for the election of Democratic candidates and candidates for nonpartisan office who demonstrably espouse the principles contained in that platform.

As chair of our organization, it is my job to be fair to all candidates who seek our endorsement. Mr. Frockt called me yesterday to let me know that he had made his announcement, and mentioned that he had observed my efforts to be fair during the 2009 election. I promised to him that I would continue to be fair during 2010.

Senator Ken Jacobsen has been in Olympia since he was first elected to the State House in 1982. David Frockt is an attorney working on corporate accountability. As Democrats, we welcome discussion and debate. It looks to me like we're going to get some good discussions and debate during this contest.

I look forward to hearing from all candidates who are willing to put "Prefers the Democratic Party" when they file for office, and what I will be most interested in hearing is how their experience and their values will help us push our platform in Olympia.

The endorsement vote will be held during our June meeting. There will also be a Democratic Nomination vote by our PCO's, likely at that meeting as well. May the best campaign win.