415 LEGISLATIVE BUILDING • PO BOX 40412 • OLYMPIA WA 98504-0412

E-MAIL: Parlette.Linda@leg.wa.gov • PHONE: (360) 786-7622 • FAX: (360) 786-1323

Committees: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development, ranking Republican; Health & Long-Term Care; Ways & Means; Rules
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March 4, 2005

Greetings from the state Capitol. The 59^th Legislature has just completed its eighth week of the 2005 session. Week nine starts on Monday, March 7.

The Senate has spent the past several weeks holding committee meetings in which bills have received hearings. March 2 was the cutoff date for Senate policy committees to pass bills originating there. March 7 will be the deadline for Senate bills dealing with spending, revenue or transportation issues to be approved by the Senate Transportation or Ways and Means committees.

After that, the Senate will devote many hours each day to floor sessions in which other senators and I will debate and vote on bills that survived the committee process. This will go on until the Senate floor cutoff deadline of 5 p.m. on March 16. Once that date is history, we will return to “committee mode” and focus on bills passed by the House.         

Election Challenge Update
Although Chelan County Superior Court Judge John Bridges dismissed Washington’s 39 counties from the lawsuit on Feb. 4, three counties (Chelan, Klickitat and Snohomish) and two county auditors (Klickitat and Lewis) have decided to stay as defendants. A majority of voters in these counties voted for Dino Rossi and officials are saying they want to stay involved in the case because they agree with the state Republican Party that the election was botched and they would like a new election. Judge Bridges also dismissed Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp from the case. Still involved in the case with the Republican Party are Secretary of State Sam Reed, who filed court papers siding with Republicans on key issues; and the state Democrat Party, which intervened in opposition to the case.

Senate votes on election reform bills today
The Senate today voted on three election reform bills. Other election reform bills likely will be voted on next week. Here is a rundown of the measures passed today:

SB 5395 requires poll-site-based electronic voting devices to produce paper records. It passed unanimously.
SB 5564 requires the secretary of state to prepare a manual of election laws and rules in easy-to-understand language to be available to all election workers during vote counting, recounting, tabulation and canvassing. I voted for the bill, which passed 38-10.

SB 5744 allows counties to go completely with mail ballots if they choose. It passed 32-16. I voted for it.
  
New Bills Filed
SJR 8215 – This is a proposed amendment to the Washington State Constitution. It requires a two-thirds2/3^rds majority “yes” vote in both the House and Senate and a simple majority vote of the people.

• This measure takes the Legislature out of the election certification process.
• In the case of a tie vote, currently both chambers would vote to choose the winner. This measure changes that to "chosen by lot" conducted by the secretary of state.
• Currently, the constitution says that contested elections shall be decided by the Legislature as provided by law. This measure changes it so that contested elections are decided by the courts as provided by law.

This measure was not given a public hearing and died in the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee. Another election reform measure that died in this committee was Senate Bill 5078, which contains the fifth Senate Republican priority -- cleansing the voter rolls by requiring legitimate voters to reregister and verify eligibility.

Election Reform Task Force to release 23-page report
Among the recommendations to be released in the report are:
·       Moving the primary election to an earlier date
·       Requiring voter identification at the polls
·       Requiring all counties to certify their results on the same day
·       Imposing statewide standards for handling ballots
·       Requiring regular audits of county election procedures
·       Requiring a paper trail for touch-screen voting machines
·       Retaining the local option for voting by mail but with stronger warnings about voter fraud
·       Color-coding provisional ballots so they look different from regular ballots
·       Improving voter registration record keeping
The report also singles out King County as needing to improve its election system.

Budget Tidbits…just the facts
State-funded public assistance for temporarily unemployable people is one of the fastest growing budget programs: $245 million in the next biennium. For more information, go to www.src.wa.gov and click on “Budget Tidbits…just the facts, 8th Edition.” Budget Tidbits is written weekly by Sen. Joe Zarelli, ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee.

Good bills survive first deadline
Although the Senate Republican measures dealing with the following issues languished in committee, the ideas are still alive and moving through the process as House bills.

·       Performance Audits of state agencies (Senate Bill 5083, House Bill 1064)
Senate Republicans have been pushing for performance audits of state agencies since the early 1990s. Performance audits can find inefficiencies that government agencies can’t see for themselves and they can measure an agency’s results against the effectiveness of its processes.

·       Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for state employees (Substitute Senate Bill 5202, House Bill 1383)
HSAs allow individuals to pay for current health expenses and save for future medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis, similar to an IRA. With the state facing an 11 percent annual inflation cost for government-paid health care, HSAs are a less expensive way to provide health care coverage to state employees. SB 5202, which I’ve prime-sponsored, was heard this afternoon in the Ways and Means Committee. Another bill I introduced, SB 6049, allows HSA to be more affordable. The measure wasn’t heard in the Health and Long-Term Care Committee. However, the committee will hold a work session next Friday on health savings accounts, and SB 6049 will be part of that discussion.  

Senate Republican roadway safety bills set for full Senate vote
Two measures that will help protect drivers, passengers and law enforcement personnel have been approved by their respective committees for a full Senate vote.

Senate Bill 5038 increases penalties for failing to yield to emergency or police vehicles. Drivers who fail to slow down when an emergency vehicle in on the roadway or tries to beat the vehicle through an intersection are putting many lives in dangers.

Senate Bill 5457 increases penalties for failing to secure a load on public highways. Unsecured debris falling from a truck can cause accidents and serious injuries.

Study to look at donating leftover prescription drugs
In January this year, a new law in Oklahoma took effect which allows nursing homes to donate unused prescription drugs to state residents who can’t afford them. The law also allows drug manufacturers, health care providers or individuals to donate leftover, unopened and unexpired medications to participating pharmacies. The drugs will then be distributed to the medically indigent. Senate Bill 5846, which was approved by the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee, requires a study of how Washington can safely operate a similar program. The bill, which I’ve prime-sponsored, is now in Senate Ways and Means Committee because of its need for funding.

Small business owners say Washington is a bad place to be
On March 1, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) released the results of a 26-state survey that ranks Washington last among the 26 states for support from government, banks, media and community groups. A spokesperson for NFIB said state regulations and policies drag small enterprises down. The survey results show that while Washington’s economy is slowly improving, small business owners are afraid to take risks because of payroll costs, increasing taxes and the burden of government regulations. Idaho, for example, charges businesses 25 percent less than Washington for workers’ compensation insurance. Washington’s businesses are still struggling to reach pre-recession employment levels even though the state’s unemployment rate declined from December to January. Washington’s rate is still above the national average. Washington’s post-9/11 recession took 82,500 jobs away from people.

Bill filed to gut voter-approved super-majority requirement to raise taxes
In 1993, Washington voters approved Initiative 601 to cap state spending and make it harder for legislators to raise taxes. Under I-601, it takes a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the Legislature to raise taxes – but it only takes a simple majority to eliminate or suspend that protection. This session, Democrats have introduced a number of bills to raise taxes to address the $2.2 billion revenue shortfall. Senate Democrats have only a 26-23 majority in the Senate, making a two-thirds vote out of their reach. As a result, they have filed Senate Bill 6078, which allows them to raise taxes by only a simple majority vote. This provision contains an emergency clause making it effective immediately upon being signed by the governor and prohibits it from being subject to a referendum by the people. This measure also changes how the spending limit is calculated. Voters said spending growth should be tied to population growth and inflation. This measure changes it to 90 percent of the personal income growth in the state effective on July 1, 2007.

Proposed BPA rate change means huge cost in terms of jobs and electricity for Washington state
Budget Advisors to President Bush are urging him to transition the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) from cost-based rates to market-based rates as a way to reduce the national debt. Created in 1937, the BPA is a federal agency headquartered in Portland, Oregon.  BPA serves the Pacific Northwest by operating an extensive electricity transmission system and markets wholesale electrical power at cost from federal dams, one non-federal nuclear plant, and other non-federal hydroelectric and wind energy generation facilities. Market rates will amount to a 66 percent rate hike for consumers and will cost Washington between 21,000 to 32,000 jobs. Senate Joint Memorial 8018 calls upon the President, Congress and the secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy to reject the proposal.  SJM 8018 unanimously passed the Senate on February 25 and is now before the House for consideration. At a recent hearing in Portland, Alcoa representatives pointed out that the president’s BPA proposal would do great harm to the Northwest’s economy and power prices.

 
Bills to bring common sense to the state’s Growth Management Act die in committee
Senate Bill 5896 – this measures would have allowed slower growing counties to complete expensive and time-consuming GMA updates less often than faster growing counties

Senate Bill 6035 – this measure would have established guidelines for cities and counties to demonstrate that the best available science is being used in the development of critical areas policies

Senate Bill 5312 – this measure would have given counties the right to refer a matter to the voters whenever its actions are found to be invalid or out of compliance with state law by a GMA hearings board

Attorney General McKenna urges consumers to ask about 9-1-1 calls before purchasing Voice over Internet Protocol Phone Service
Several service providers in Washington are now offering Voice over Internet Protocol phone service. This new service allows consumers access to voice services using their DSL connection rather than a dedicated telephone line. Potential purchasers of this new service are advised to ask if 9-1-1 calls will be routed to the call center nearest to them and if the caller’s telephone number and location will be displayed. It is important that consumers know how this service might impact their households in an emergency.

Bill helping cash-strapped local governments is still alive
A few weeks ago, I introduced a measure, SB 6050, designed to provide financial assistance to smaller towns and counties that are in need of more funding. This bill received a public hearing, with no opposition, in the Ways and Means Committee this week. I’m optimistic the committee will approve it. 

Listen to weekly legislative updates on radio every Friday morning
Here is another reminder that Reps. Mike Armstrong and Cary Condotta and I get together every Friday morning to talk live with local radio stations about what is happening in the Legislature. These weekly radio shows allow listeners to learn more about the legislative session. (We also do a weekly call-in to the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce on Fridays from 7:30 to 8 a.m.) If you haven’t listened to these radio updates and want to tune in, here is the Friday morning radio schedule:

7:15-7:30 a.m., KOHO (FM 101.1)
8 a.m.-8:30 a.m., KPQ (AM 560)
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m., KOZI (AM 1230/FM 93.5) 

Watch legislative video updates on CNN Headline News
I also want to remind you to watch my legislative video updates on the CNN Headline News channel in the Wenatchee area. These updates are roughly five minutes long and are aired occasionally at the top of the hour daily. Reps. Armstrong and Condotta also have video updates on Headline News. Watching these updates is another good way to learn what is happening in Olympia.

That wraps it up for this week. Thanks for the feedback on my previous updates. See you next week!
Sincerely,
Linda Evans Parlette
State Senator, 12th District
(360) 786-7622

Legislative toll-free hotline: 1-800-562-6000
TTY: 1-800-635-9993

Senate Republican Web site: www.src.wa.gov

Legislature’s Web site: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/legislature

February 25, 2005

Hello again from sunny Olympia. The weather here continues to be a pleasant surprise. It makes me feel like I’m home in Wenatchee. The 59^th Legislature has just completed its seventh week of the 2005 session. Week eight starts on Monday, February 28.  

Election Challenge Update
Chelan County Superior Court Judge John Bridges signed an order on Feb. 18 confirming that the legal challenge to the governor’s election will move forward. The Republican Party asked for an April 4 trial date, but Judge Bridges said he won’t set a trial date until both sides have finished their discovery – the legal term for fact-finding. He did not rule on the question of what exactly the Republican Party must prove.  The Democrat Party has been pushing for a ruling that the Republican Party prove how each illegal vote was cast. On Feb. 23, the Republican Party announced it had identified 1,108 felons who voted without having their civil rights restored – 884 of them in King County. The Democrat Party is saying they should be hauled into court and asked how they voted. These felons could say anything they want. Ironically, this would put the outcome of the election entirely in the hands of criminals. There is no other reasonable, rational choice but for Judge Bridges to declare the election null and void so a revote for governor can take place.

Election Reform Update – New Bill Filed
So far, there is a total of 27 election reform bills introduced in the Senate this year. The deadline to pass Senate bills from the Senate policy committees is March 2. The deadline to approve Senate measures from the Senate Transportation and Ways and Means committees is March 7.  Here is a look at the latest election reform bill in the Senate:

Senate Bill 6006 – making it unlawful for a person or organization collecting voter registration application forms to photocopy or otherwise replicate those forms. This measure also makes it unlawful for any election official to mark a blank voter registration form with the purpose of identifying the individual or organization to which the forms are given. This bill is in the Government Operations and Elections Committee.

Budget Tidbits…just the facts
State Employee Automatic Salary Increases: This year, if the negotiated raises under the new collective bargaining agreement are approved, some state employees will receive a 15.6 percent salary increase over the next two years. For more information, go to www.src.wa.gov and click on “Budget Tidbits…just the facts, 7th Edition.” Budget Tidbits is written each week by Sen. Joe Zarelli, ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Bill provides civil relief for service members returning from overseas
The very nature of military service often compromises the ability of service members to fulfill their financial obligations and to assert many of their legal rights. Congress has long recognized the need for protective legislation. During the Civil War, Congress enacted an absolute moratorium on civil actions brought against federal soldiers and sailors. In 2003, Congress enacted the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) which completely revised the 1940 Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act. Under the SCRA, members of the military can receive a 90-day stay from potential liability or lawsuits. Senate Bill 6028 creates a 180-day stay in Washington state, recognizing the many active duty personnel and reservists from Washington who have been called to duty in Iraq. This bill is in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A state income tax?
Democrats introduce a state income tax plan. The Legislature may on its own impose a 1 percent income tax, but anything greater or a graduated system, must be put to the voters of the state. The current Democrat measure, sponsored by Sen. Rosa Franklin and co-sponsored by Sens. Adam Kline and Jeanne Kohl-Welles, is an amendment to the Washington State Constitution and does require a vote of the people – even though Washington voters have rejected income tax proposals eight times since 1934. Senate Joint Resolution 8211 amends the state Constitution to allow a graduated income tax. It would take a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate to move this measure to the November ballot. A simple majority vote of the people is required for passage. The eight “no” votes by the people against an income tax in the past have been: 56.6 percent; 77.8 percent; 66.9 percent; 66.3 percent; 68.4 percent; 77 percent; 66.8 percent and 66.2 percent.

This bill is in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which is one of the committees I serve on.

Recent poll shows 57% of Washington voters don’t believe state government should raise taxes for any reason
A poll of 500 voters across Washington in January of this year asked if people agreed or disagreed with this statement: “State government should live within its 7 percent revenue growth and should not raise taxes for any purpose.” In every area polled —except Seattle— the majority agreed: 64 percent in non-Seattle King County; 57 percent in Kitsap/Pierce/Snohomish counties; 54 percent in other parts of Western Washington; and 66 percent in Eastern Washington. By party, 70 percent of Republicans agreed; 67 percent of independents agreed; and 42 percent of Democrats agreed. The poll was conducted by the public opinion research firm Moore Information, and has a 95 percent confidence level. Despite the fact we continually hear the word “crisis” in the media, I believe we can put out an operating budget without raising taxes, and I’m working to help do that. I’ll elaborate more on this in next week’s update. 

Democrats’ political“retro-bution” bill gets hearing
Retrospective rating (“retro”) is an optional financial incentive program offered by the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to increase workplace safety by refunding part of an employer’s industrial insurance premiums for creating a safer workplace. To be in a group plan, a company must belong to a sponsoring association that maintains a contract with L&I to administer the group program. Participation in a group retro program is voluntary and every industry is served by several retro groups. There is healthy competition.

One sponsoring group is the Business Industry Association of Washington (BIAW). Since the 2004 general election, the BIAW has used some of its funds to identify illegal votes and promote a revote for governor petition. Democrats, backed strongly by unions, have introduced a bill that limits the use of a sponsoring group’s funds to administrative costs or to be retained as reserves to meet any assessments made by the L&I.

The summary of this bill is as follows: “Provides for substantially improving worker safety, accident prevention, and worker outcomes through the department of labor and industries' retrospective rating program.” However, Senate Bill 5842 does not improve worker safety. This bill is in the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research and Development Committee, and was given a public hearing last night.

25 ag groups join together, present list of priorities to legislature
The groups’ goal is to provide legislators with a roadmap to what it will take to preserve and enhance the viability of one of the largest sectors of economic activity and employment in Washington state. Priorities on the list range from livestock identification to minimum wage reform and farm worker housing. Water is always a vital issue for agriculture and may be even more significant this year if predictions of a drought equal to the one in 1977 prove to be true. Washington’s agricultural industry accounts for one in 10 jobs and about 60 percent of the exports shipped through the Port of Seattle. With more than 250 commodities, Washington is second only to California in terms of diversity of agriculture.

The often unmet needs of agriculture, and the unique historical, cultural and economic characteristics of Eastern Washington compared to Western Washington, have led to many attempts to create a 51^st state east of the Cascade Mountains. Even before Washington became a state, the territorial legislature considered dividing Eastern and Western Washington. This year’s request to Congress for a 51^st state is Senate Joint Memorial 8009. The measure was given a public hearing in the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee, but will not be brought up for a vote according to the committee chairman. Sen. Bob Morton, the prime sponsor of SJM 8009, has sponsored similar measures in previous sessions to express the frustration felt by so many Eastern Washington residents. 

Washington students can earn scholarships with WASL performance
Students who perform at the highest levels in math and science on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) may become eligible for scholarships at the DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond. The first scholarships are to be awarded to students entering the institute in fall 2005. The scholarships will cover 50 percent of total tuition costs -- $13,800 for a two-year program and $26,000 for a four-year program. The institute offers two-, four- and six-year degree programs in game development, computer engineering, 3D computer animation and related areas.

Department of Transportation activates new travel time signs on I-5, I-405 and I-90
New travel time signs will allow travelers to know in an instant how long it will take them to get to Seattle or Bellevue from surrounding communities. Research shows that drivers who have information feel more in control and are therefore less likely to become frustrated or to feel road rage. Drivers can also make better choices about which roads to take or call their place of work, their home or their daycare to let someone know if they will be late.

2010 Olympics in Canada present opportunities for American architectural, construction and engineering trades
American firms wanting to do business in Canada in connection with the $10 billion projects for the 2010 Olympics are invited to attend a March 17 conference in Lynnwood. A guide will be distributed at the conference. More information can be obtained by visiting Snohomish County’s WorkSource Web site at: www.worksourceonline.com.

Listen to weekly legislative updates on radio every Friday morning
Here is another reminder that Reps. Mike Armstrong and Cary Condotta and I get together every Friday morning to talk live with local radio stations about what is happening in the Legislature. These weekly radio shows allow listeners to learn more about the legislative session. (We also do a weekly call-in to the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce on Fridays from 7:30 to 8 a.m.) If you haven’t listened to these radio updates and want to tune in, here is the Friday morning radio schedule:

7:15-7:30 a.m., KOHO (FM 101.1)
8 a.m.-8:30 a.m., KPQ (AM 560)
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m., KOZI (AM 1230/FM 93.5) 

Watch legislative video updates on CNN Headline News
I also want to remind you to watch my legislative video updates on the CNN Headline News channel in the Wenatchee area. These updates are roughly five minutes long and are aired occasionally at the top of the hour daily. Reps. Armstrong and Condotta also have video updates on Headline News. Watching these updates is another good way to learn what is happening in Olympia.

That wraps up the news for this week. I appreciate the feedback on my previous updates. See you next week!

Sincerely,

Linda Evans Parlette
State Senator, 12th District
(360) 786-7622

Legislative toll free hotline: 1-800-562-6000
TTY: 1-800-635-9993

Senate Republican Web site: www.src.wa.gov

Legislature’s Web site: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/legislature

Hello again from sunny Olympia. The weather here has been a pleasant surprise this week. The 59^th Legislature has just completed its sixth week of the 2005 session. Week seven starts on Monday, February 21.  

Election challenge update
Chelan County Superior Court Judge John Bridges today declined to issue an order clarifying a series of rulings he made in the governor's election lawsuit earlier this month. Judge Bridges instead sided with Republicans and signed an order that does little more than tally the motions that were granted and denied at a hearing February 4.

Democrats wanted Judge Bridges to sign an order providing specifics on key issues in the case, particularly whether Republicans would have to show in court which candidate got the illegal votes they allege were cast in the November election. Judge Bridges said, though, that the "court has explained already its reasoning" in the rulings from the bench two weeks ago, and he did not see the need to clarify anything further today.

But he said issues raised by Democratic Party attorney Kevin Hamiltion, particularly about standards of proof for illegal votes, need to be addressed in court. Bridges signed the order proposed by attorneys for Dino Rossi and the Republicans who filed the lawsuit.

The judge declined a Republican request to set a trial date in April. He said that was premature, until the issues of standards of proof are settled. The judge said that could take three weeks. Bridges said he also doesn't want to set a trial date until both sides are done collecting evidence and responding to subpoenas.

The Republican Party’s position is that there were enough counting flaws, administrative errors, illegal votes by felons and votes made under the names of dead people that it is impossible to know who really won. Judge Bridges has said he does not have the power to order a new election, but the law does say a judge has the power to “set aside” the election and declare a different winner. Dino Rossi has said he will not accept being declared the winner and would resign so a new election could be held. If this should happen, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen would be acting governor until the results of the new election are certified.
 
Election reform update – new bills filed
New bills continue to be filed. Presently, 26 Senate bills regarding election reform have been introduced.
Senate Bill 5927 – moving the primary election from the third Tuesday in September to the third Tuesday in August. The purpose of this measure is to give county auditors more time to print and mail ballots to overseas voters before the general election.

Senate Bill 5942 – allowing county canvassing boards to recanvass ballots and to recertify results when an apparent discrepancy or inconsistency is brought to the attention of the canvassing board by elections staff, a third party or other individual.

Final Election Reform Task Force meeting in Spokane
Members of the public have been attending the Election Reform Task Force meetings in their area in huge numbers with a clear message that the integrity of our election process needs to be restored. These meetings have provided an important opportunity for citizens to ask questions, share their concerns and frustrations and ask for meaningful reform.

I am told that people may be voicing their support for the following important reforms:
ü Regegistration: Cleaning the voter rolls to remove the felons, noncitizens and graveyard residents from the voter rolls.

ü Identification: Asking voters to prove their identity before casting their vote.
ü Reconciliation: Requiring the number of ballots that go out match the number coming in.
ü Standardization: Creating statewide rules for administering provisional ballots and verifying absentee signatures so everyone’s votes are treated equally in every county.

ü Military voter accommodation: Allowing military voters to begin voting one week after filing and making sure they are aware of their voting rights.

The final meeting is scheduled in Spokane – 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 22, Spokane Community College Lair Student Center. If you would like to submit your comments and/or ideas online, please visit: http://www.governor.wa.gov/electionreform/form.htm.

Budget Tidbits…just the facts
Contracting Out: ensuring state services are provided at the best value for taxpayers. For more information, go to www.src.wa.gov and click on “Budget Tidbits…just the facts, 6th Edition.” Budget Tidbits are produced each week by Sen. Joe Zarelli, ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Agenda for Washington 2005
Washington State House & Senate Republicans: Moving Washington Forward
Health Savings Accounts – a less expensive alternative to traditional health care coverage
The state is currently facing an 11 percent annual inflation cost of government-paid health care. The skyrocketing cost of health care coverage contributed to the state’s revenue shortfall in the last biennium and is part of the $2.2 billion shortfall projected for the 2005-07 biennium. Senate Bill 5202, which I prime-sponsored, proposes Health Savings Accounts for state employees as a less expensive health care coverage option.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created in 2003 by the federal Medicare Modernization Act. HSAs allow individuals to pay for current health expenses and save for future medical and retiree health expenses on a tax free basis — similar to an IRA. HSAs must include a high-deductible, catastrophic health care plan.

Contributions to an HSA are deductible from a person’s income tax obligation and contributions by employers are not taxable to the employee.

v Senate Bill 5637 is a health care proposal by Senate Democrats. This bill is referred to as the “Pay or Play,” Health Care Responsibility Act, or the “employer mandate” bill. Both the Senate bill and the House bill were heard on February 17 and the hearing rooms were packed due to the controversy of the issue. Under this measure, businesses of 50 or more must pay the state a fee to provide health care coverage through the state’s Basic Health Plan. If health care is already provided, a credit back to the business would occur. This bill potentially has several adverse consequences:

·       Conservative estimate of cost is $1.6 billion.
·       When all is said and done, this bill only ensures health care coverage for 18 percent of the state’s 850,000 uninsured.

·       Businesses providing health care coverage for their employees may end up owning the state money for businesses that don’t.

·       It is estimated that as a result of this legislation, 25,500 employees will become unemployed statewide.
·       Those who lose their jobs are likely to be female, poor, minority and less educated.
·       An ironic twist to this legislation: 3,300 of those who will lose their jobs will also lose their employer-based health care coverage.

v Senate Bill 5786 is a Democrat proposal that imposes a new property tax on homeowners. It is a permanent regular levy requiring a simple majority vote to pass.

This measure authorizes counties to submit a ballot measure imposing a new property tax of up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to pay for locally negotiated cost-of-living salary increases for teachers. The money could also be used to help pay for extended learning opportunities for students and additional professional development for teachers. The new property tax money would be distributed to the school districts in the county based on each district’s enrollment of full-time students.

With Washington’s economy still recovering from the post-9/11 recession, it is a bad time to raise taxes on families trying to make ends meet. What’s more, Washington voters have already spoken on local property taxes: In 2001, voters limited the growth of regular property taxes imposed by local governments to one percent a year by approving Initiative 747 with a yes vote of 57.5 percent.

SB 5786 also raises the question of equal funding for all K-12 students in the state as required by the superior court ruling that formed the basis of the state’s Basic Education Act. Reliance on local levies causes a disparity in funding for schools – especially in rural or property-poor districts. This measure could make the state a target for a lawsuit by districts where the county property tax does not pass. This bill is in the Senate Early Learning, K-12 and Higher Education Committee.

Bill would separate children and family services from mega-agency DSHS
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) was created in 1970 to combine the powers, duties and functions in the then separate departments of public assistance, institutions, veterans’ rehabilitation council and vocational rehabilitation. Over the years, the types of services DSHS provides has changed and expanded. In 1981, the Department of Corrections was created, taking those functions out of DSHS. In 1989, the same steps were taken to create a separate Department of Health.

Last year, the Children’s Administration within DSHS was hit hard by a poor ranking in a federal review. In November 2004, two babies were found dead of starvation – there neglectful situation having been reported several times to DSHS. A lawsuit on behalf of all former and current foster children under the responsibility of DSHS is being settled through an agreement that requires more individualized and appropriate services.

Senate Bill 5872 removes the responsibilities of the Children’s Administration and Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration from DSHS and places them under a new, separate Department of Family and Children’s Services. Supporters of the measure believe the mission of these two departments, the safety and well-being of children, is being compromised by the size and complexity of DSHS. This bill was heard in the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee on Thursday, February 17.

Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operating Enduring Freedom are made eligible for certain state benefits under Senate Bill 5112

Over the years, veterans of contemporary periods of war have been added to the list of eligible veterans to receive tuition and fee waivers at state colleges and to earn service credits for military service toward state retirement.  This measure adds residents of Washington with service in Iraq. This bill is on the Senate calendar awaiting a full Senate vote.

Advertising billing scam floods Attorney Generals’ Consumer Resource Center
More than 50 people have made complaints to the Seattle-based Consumer Resource Center claiming they received a bill for $399 from a business they have never heard of. Businesses ranging from apartment rentals to transportation services received bills from an outfit claiming to be a Seattle directory service, with many receiving multiple bills demanding payment from a company they could not reach to refute the bills. So far no one has reported paying the invoices. Consumers who receive bills for products or services they did not order are encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at 1-800-551-4636.

Listen to me and Reps. Armstrong and Condotta on the radio Friday mornings
Here is a reminder that Reps. Mike Armstrong and Cary Condotta and I get together every Friday morning to talk live with local radio stations about what is happening in the Legislature. These weekly radio shows allow listeners to learn more about the legislative session. (We also do a weekly call-in to the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce on Fridays from 7:30 to 8 a.m.) If you haven’t listened to these radio updates and want to tune in, here is the Friday morning radio schedule:

7:15-7:30 a.m., KOHO (FM 101.1)
8 a.m.-8:30 a.m., KPQ (AM 560)
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m., KOZI (AM 1230/FM 93.5) 

Watch my legislative video updates on CNN Headline News
A few weeks ago, my weekly legislative video updates began appearing on the CNN Headline News channel in the Wenatchee area. These updates are roughly five minutes long and are aired occasionally at the top of the hour daily. Reps. Armstrong and Condotta also have video updates on Headline News. If you aren’t doing it already, I encourage you to watch an update in case you want to learn even more what is happening in Olympia.

Wilson Creek student shadows me this week
This week I have had the pleasure of having a Wilson Creek senior high student shadow me for the whole week. As deputy Republican leader sitting on two policy committees, the budget committee and also the Rules Committee, she had the opportunity to experience a lot. If you are interested in visiting our state capital and shadowing me for a day or more, please just let me know.

Thanks again for the feedback on my previous e-mail updates. It’s important for me to know what you think about the issues before the Legislature. See you next week!

Sincerely,

Linda Evans Parlette
State Senator, 12th District
(360) 786-7622

Legislative toll free hotline: 1-800-562-6000
TTY: 1-800-635-9993

Senate Republican Web site: www.src.wa.gov

Legislature’s Web site: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/legislature

February 4, 2005

Hello from Olympia! We’re completing the third week of the legislative session. As is normally the case in the early part of a session, I spent most of this week in committee meetings, as well as meetings with constituents and lobbyists. The latter group represents a wide variety of organizations that hope the Legislature will pass or even stop bills affecting them. Lobbyists visit my office to seek my signature on measures requested by their clients, or they provide me with more information about bills and issues concerning them and their clients.

The committee hearings and office meetings will continue to be my routine for several more weeks until we start to spend more time on the Senate floor to vote on bills that have survived the Senate committee process.  

Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail proposal gets enthusiastic response!
Early this week, my proposal asking Congress to support creation of the Ice Age Flood National Geologic Trail received a positive and enthusiastic response in the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation. The committee unanimously passed my measure (Senate Joint Memorial 8000), so it now goes to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration. TVW aired the public hearing on this proposal, and National Public Radio did a report on it. I decided to prime-sponsor SJM 8000 after hearing a presentation about the Ice Age Floods phenomenon by Charlie Mason at the Wenatchee Cultural Center last summer. 

According to information posted on Ice Age Floods Institute’s Web site (www.iceagefloodsinstitute.org), the Ice Age Floods (also known as the Missoula Floods and the Spokane Floods) occurred repeatedly many thousands of years ago after the ice that formed Glacial Lake Missoula, an ice-dammed lake in what is now northwestern Montana, broke free, causing enormous floods. These floods spread into northern Idaho, much of Eastern Washington, the Columbia River Gorge, much of the Willamette River Valley and the lower Columbia River region down to the river’s mouth near Astoria, Oregon. The trail would cover this wide portion of the Northwest that was shaped by the floods. It would be designated along public roads nearest where these geologic events occurred. Federal funding would be required to provide signage for the proposed trail.

The trail’s creation would provide a tourism boost for the 12^th District and Eastern Washington. The Ice Age Floods are viewed by many as one of the most incredible geological events ever to occur in the Northwest. I think many people would be interested in driving to spots along this proposed geologic trail, just as people are planning to see parts of the Lewis and Clark Trail since its bicentennial is happening.  

During testimony on my measure this week, I told the committee that the trail proposal has been picked up at the federal level by Washington’s congressional delegation, and there is legislation in Congress to create this.

Governor’s election challenge update
The next session of the Chelan County Superior Court to hear issues pertaining to the Republican Party challenge to the governor’s election is February 4. At this hearing, Judge John Bridges will consider Democratic Party and county requests to dismiss the case or refer it to the Supreme Court or Legislature. On January 20, Judge Bridges ruled that counties must answer the state Republican Party’s request for information about the election. But the judge gave the counties 30 days to do it, instead of 10 days. On January 21, the Republican Party reached beyond the court and filed its challenge to the election with the Legislature as an “insurance policy.”

Election reform update – new bills filed
Senate Bill 5400 – This measure requires voters to show proof of registration and photo ID when voting at the polls.
Senate Bill 5395 – This measure requires that all electronic vote devices produce a machine-countable paper record for each vote cast.

Senate Bill 5399 – This measure requires county elections officials to randomly investigate the record of all registered voters to make corrections regarding persons who are deceased or whose residence differs from that on the official statewide voter registration list.
Senate Bill 5499 --This comprehensive measure addresses training for election workers; formal reviews of election-related policies and procedures; voter verification; uniform ballots; the appearance of provisional ballots and penalties for voter fraud.

Senate Bill 5525 – This measure requires provisional ballots be printed on color paper to distinguish them from regular ballots so they can be retrieved from electronic vote-counting machines should they be put into the machines by accident before the voter’s qualifications are verified.

Senate Bill 5526 – Provisional ballots are required by the federal Help America Vote Act. This measure creates state law on provisional ballots so they can be regulated.

Budget Tidbits…just the facts
Did you know nearly 7,000 students in our two- and four-year institutions have more than 125 percent of the credits needed to graduate? Find out why this is important to our state’s budget and your child’s ability to get into a public university. Go to www.src.wa.gov and click on “Budget Tidbits…just the facts, 3rd Edition.”

Bipartisan measure provides for annual inflation adjustment in law to help senior citizens and persons retired on disability qualify for property tax exemptions

Washington voters approved an amendment to the Washington State Constitution many years ago to allow the state to help senior citizens stay in their homes by allowing those with low incomes to qualify for property tax exemptions. The Legislature has adjusted the level of qualifying income many times over the years. Senate Bill 5361 directs the state Department of Revenue to annually increase that qualifying income level to reflect the increased cost of living.

Bill with strong bipartisan sponsorship creates permanent legislative committee on veterans and active duty military issues
In 2001, a joint legislative committee was created to study issues of concern to veterans, active duty military personnel, National Guard members and reservists and their families in Washington state. Senate Bill 5221 makes this body permanent in an effort to better serve the needs of men, women and children in Washington’s large military community.

Senate honors the men and women who serve in the Washington National Guard
Members of Washington’s National Guard are everyday heroes from helping people in natural disasters to defending the freedom to self-govern in Iraq. In many ways they put their lives on the line to save others. During a touching ceremony in the Senate on January 26, the members of our state’s Guard were thanked and honored. A Washington state flag that had been flying over Camp Anaconda, the largest support base in Iraq, will hang in the Senate Chambers until all Washington National Guard members have returned from Iraq.

Second Amendment under attack, several gun control bills heard in Senate Judiciary Committee
Second Amendment supporters flooded one hearing room and spilled into another on January 25 when the Senate Judiciary Committee heard a series of gun control measures. Among the bills being considered this session are a state version of the expired federal ban on assault weapons; waiting periods and background checks for gun shows; and a re-run of an overwhelmingly defeated initiative imposing criminal penalties for lack of firearms safety. These measures include:

·       Senate Bill 5344 – prohibiting firearms in the Legislative Building;
·       Senate Bill 5593 – banning .50 caliber BMG rifles;
·       Senate Bill 5343 – requiring background checks and waiting periods for all guns purchased at gun shows;
·       Senate Bill 5342 – imposing criminal liability on adults who leave firearms accessible to minors (This measure is similar to I-676, requiring trigger locks and gun safety licenses, which was defeated in all 39 Washington counties in 1997.); and

·       Senate Bill 5475 – banning assault weapons.
In 1997, Washington voters soundly rejected Initiative 676. The initiative’s title was: “Shall the transfer of handguns without trigger-locking devices be prohibited and persons possessing or acquiring a handgun be required to obtain a handgun safety license?” That initiative failed in all 39 counties. In Chelan County, 84.3 percent voted no. In Douglas County, 88.2 percent voted no. In Grant County, 89.7 percent voted no. In Okanogan County, 89.9 percent voted no. 

Bill would permit local referendums on land use decisions by Growth Management Act hearings boards
Many residents in rural areas dislike it when a growth management hearings board overturns land use plans made by county legislative authorities. Currently, citizens have no way to undo a hearings board directive. Under Senate Bill 5312, if voters in a county approve a referendum on a growth management measure, then the measure as passed by the county commission or council becomes effective. If voters defeat such a referendum, then the GMA hearings board decision on the measure goes into effect.

Hanford cleanup initiative inadvertently threatens cancer treatment
Last November, state voters approved I-297, a measure thought by many as a way to prevent Washington from receiving new radioactive waste at Hanford until the existing problems with waste have been cleaned up.  However, the Tri-Cities is not only home to Hanford, it is home to many companies that produce radioactive isotopes used for treating prostate and other types of cancer -- a process that produces radioactive waste. The provisions of I-297 may force these companies out of Washington. Senate Bill 5445 seeks to amend I-297 so that cancer treatment waste from Washington companies is exempt.

No Child Left Behind Act: President Bush wins approval of new education loan forgiveness levels for math, science and special education teachers

The new loan forgiveness level is $17,500, a dramatic increase of $12,500 above the previous loan limits and is meant to ease the shortage of teachers in key subject areas. It is available to math, science and special education teachers who have taught in Title I schools for five years and is also available to new borrowers as an incentive for prospective teachers to teach in subjects and schools that have difficulty hiring highly qualified candidates. Title I schools are those schools that are above a school district’s average level of poverty.

“Ski & Ride Washington” license plate proposed
This session, the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, Washington Zone, has proposed a “Ski & Ride Washington” license plate to raise awareness for winter recreation and help support outdoor winter programs like the Northwest Avalanche Center, various Olympic programs, as well as ski and snowboard safety programs. There are two measures in the Legislature this session to create this license plate, HB 1116 and SB 5143. SB 5143 has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee. If it became law, it would require an applicant for this license plate to pay an initial $40 fee and a $30 renewal fee each year afterward. Money would be deposited into the “Ski & Ride Washington” account established under this bill.

It is a privilege to represent you as your state senator. I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Linda Evans Parlette
State Senator, 12th District
(360) 786-7622
 

Hello from Olympia! We’re completing the third week of the legislative session. As is normally the case in the early part of a session, I spent most of this week in committee meetings, as well as meetings with constituents and lobbyists. The latter group represents a wide variety of organizations that hope the Legislature will pass or even stop bills affecting them. Lobbyists visit my office to seek my signature on measures requested by their clients, or they provide me with more information about bills and issues concerning them and their clients.

The committee hearings and office meetings will continue to be my routine for several more weeks until we start to spend more time on the Senate floor to vote on bills that have survived the Senate committee process.  

Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail proposal gets enthusiastic response!
Early this week, my proposal asking Congress to support creation of the Ice Age Flood National Geologic Trail received a positive and enthusiastic response in the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation. The committee unanimously passed my measure (Senate Joint Memorial 8000), so it now goes to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration. TVW aired the public hearing on this proposal, and National Public Radio did a report on it. I decided to prime-sponsor SJM 8000 after hearing a presentation about the Ice Age Floods phenomenon by Charlie Mason at the Wenatchee Cultural Center last summer. 

According to information posted on Ice Age Floods Institute’s Web site (www.iceagefloodsinstitute.org), the Ice Age Floods (also known as the Missoula Floods and the Spokane Floods) occurred repeatedly many thousands of years ago after the ice that formed Glacial Lake Missoula, an ice-dammed lake in what is now northwestern Montana, broke free, causing enormous floods. These floods spread into northern Idaho, much of Eastern Washington, the Columbia River Gorge, much of the Willamette River Valley and the lower Columbia River region down to the river’s mouth near Astoria, Oregon. The trail would cover this wide portion of the Northwest that was shaped by the floods. It would be designated along public roads nearest where these geologic events occurred. Federal funding would be required to provide signage for the proposed trail.

The trail’s creation would provide a tourism boost for the 12^th District and Eastern Washington. The Ice Age Floods are viewed by many as one of the most incredible geological events ever to occur in the Northwest. I think many people would be interested in driving to spots along this proposed geologic trail, just as people are planning to see parts of the Lewis and Clark Trail since its bicentennial is happening.  

During testimony on my measure this week, I told the committee that the trail proposal has been picked up at the federal level by Washington’s congressional delegation, and there is legislation in Congress to create this.

Governor’s election challenge update
The next session of the Chelan County Superior Court to hear issues pertaining to the Republican Party challenge to the governor’s election is February 4. At this hearing, Judge John Bridges will consider Democratic Party and county requests to dismiss the case or refer it to the Supreme Court or Legislature. On January 20, Judge Bridges ruled that counties must answer the state Republican Party’s request for information about the election. But the judge gave the counties 30 days to do it, instead of 10 days. On January 21, the Republican Party reached beyond the court and filed its challenge to the election with the Legislature as an “insurance policy.”

Election reform update – new bills filed
Senate Bill 5400 – This measure requires voters to show proof of registration and photo ID when voting at the polls.
Senate Bill 5395 – This measure requires that all electronic vote devices produce a machine-countable paper record for each vote cast.

Senate Bill 5399 – This measure requires county elections officials to randomly investigate the record of all registered voters to make corrections regarding persons who are deceased or whose residence differs from that on the official statewide voter registration list.
Senate Bill 5499 --This comprehensive measure addresses training for election workers; formal reviews of election-related policies and procedures; voter verification; uniform ballots; the appearance of provisional ballots and penalties for voter fraud.

Senate Bill 5525 – This measure requires provisional ballots be printed on color paper to distinguish them from regular ballots so they can be retrieved from electronic vote-counting machines should they be put into the machines by accident before the voter’s qualifications are verified.

Senate Bill 5526 – Provisional ballots are required by the federal Help America Vote Act. This measure creates state law on provisional ballots so they can be regulated.

Budget Tidbits…just the facts
Did you know nearly 7,000 students in our two- and four-year institutions have more than 125 percent of the credits needed to graduate? Find out why this is important to our state’s budget and your child’s ability to get into a public university. Go to www.src.wa.gov and click on “Budget Tidbits…just the facts, 3rd Edition.”

Bipartisan measure provides for annual inflation adjustment in law to help senior citizens and persons retired on disability qualify for property tax exemptions

Washington voters approved an amendment to the Washington State Constitution many years ago to allow the state to help senior citizens stay in their homes by allowing those with low incomes to qualify for property tax exemptions. The Legislature has adjusted the level of qualifying income many times over the years. Senate Bill 5361 directs the state Department of Revenue to annually increase that qualifying income level to reflect the increased cost of living.

Bill with strong bipartisan sponsorship creates permanent legislative committee on veterans and active duty military issues
In 2001, a joint legislative committee was created to study issues of concern to veterans, active duty military personnel, National Guard members and reservists and their families in Washington state. Senate Bill 5221 makes this body permanent in an effort to better serve the needs of men, women and children in Washington’s large military community.

Senate honors the men and women who serve in the Washington National Guard
Members of Washington’s National Guard are everyday heroes from helping people in natural disasters to defending the freedom to self-govern in Iraq. In many ways they put their lives on the line to save others. During a touching ceremony in the Senate on January 26, the members of our state’s Guard were thanked and honored. A Washington state flag that had been flying over Camp Anaconda, the largest support base in Iraq, will hang in the Senate Chambers until all Washington National Guard members have returned from Iraq.

Second Amendment under attack, several gun control bills heard in Senate Judiciary Committee
Second Amendment supporters flooded one hearing room and spilled into another on January 25 when the Senate Judiciary Committee heard a series of gun control measures. Among the bills being considered this session are a state version of the expired federal ban on assault weapons; waiting periods and background checks for gun shows; and a re-run of an overwhelmingly defeated initiative imposing criminal penalties for lack of firearms safety. These measures include:

·       Senate Bill 5344 – prohibiting firearms in the Legislative Building;
·       Senate Bill 5593 – banning .50 caliber BMG rifles;
·       Senate Bill 5343 – requiring background checks and waiting periods for all guns purchased at gun shows;
·       Senate Bill 5342 – imposing criminal liability on adults who leave firearms accessible to minors (This measure is similar to I-676, requiring trigger locks and gun safety licenses, which was defeated in all 39 Washington counties in 1997.); and

·       Senate Bill 5475 – banning assault weapons.
In 1997, Washington voters soundly rejected Initiative 676. The initiative’s title was: “Shall the transfer of handguns without trigger-locking devices be prohibited and persons possessing or acquiring a handgun be required to obtain a handgun safety license?” That initiative failed in all 39 counties. In Chelan County, 84.3 percent voted no. In Douglas County, 88.2 percent voted no. In Grant County, 89.7 percent voted no. In Okanogan County, 89.9 percent voted no. 

Bill would permit local referendums on land use decisions by Growth Management Act hearings boards
Many residents in rural areas dislike it when a growth management hearings board overturns land use plans made by county legislative authorities. Currently, citizens have no way to undo a hearings board directive. Under Senate Bill 5312, if voters in a county approve a referendum on a growth management measure, then the measure as passed by the county commission or council becomes effective. If voters defeat such a referendum, then the GMA hearings board decision on the measure goes into effect.

Hanford cleanup initiative inadvertently threatens cancer treatment
Last November, state voters approved I-297, a measure thought by many as a way to prevent Washington from receiving new radioactive waste at Hanford until the existing problems with waste have been cleaned up.  However, the Tri-Cities is not only home to Hanford, it is home to many companies that produce radioactive isotopes used for treating prostate and other types of cancer -- a process that produces radioactive waste. The provisions of I-297 may force these companies out of Washington. Senate Bill 5445 seeks to amend I-297 so that cancer treatment waste from Washington companies is exempt.

No Child Left Behind Act: President Bush wins approval of new education loan forgiveness levels for math, science and special education teachers

The new loan forgiveness level is $17,500, a dramatic increase of $12,500 above the previous loan limits and is meant to ease the shortage of teachers in key subject areas. It is available to math, science and special education teachers who have taught in Title I schools for five years and is also available to new borrowers as an incentive for prospective teachers to teach in subjects and schools that have difficulty hiring highly qualified candidates. Title I schools are those schools that are above a school district’s average level of poverty.

“Ski & Ride Washington” license plate proposed
This session, the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, Washington Zone, has proposed a “Ski & Ride Washington” license plate to raise awareness for winter recreation and help support outdoor winter programs like the Northwest Avalanche Center, various Olympic programs, as well as ski and snowboard safety programs. There are two measures in the Legislature this session to create this license plate, HB 1116 and SB 5143. SB 5143 has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee. If it became law, it would require an applicant for this license plate to pay an initial $40 fee and a $30 renewal fee each year afterward. Money would be deposited into the “Ski & Ride Washington” account established under this bill.

It is a privilege to represent you as your state senator. I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Linda Evans Parlette
State Senator, 12th District
(360) 786-7622

The 2005 session of the Washington State Legislature began at noon on January 10. The regular 105-day session is scheduled to end on April 24. The House and Senate convened after the grand reopening of the Legislative Building which had been closed since the Nisqually earthquake on February 28, 2001. It is wonderful to be back in our historical chambers.

Certification delay tops Senate Republicans’ agenda
Normally, the first few days of a legislative session are devoted to the pomp and circumstance of opening day ceremonies, the swearing in of legislators and other officials, the governor’s state of the state speech, and sincere promises made by Republicans and Democrats alike to reach across partisan lines and work together for the greater good of Washington.

Looming large over the first day of this year's session was the cloud of discrepancies over Christine Gregoire’s margin of victory in the governor's race (129 votes). Many questions need to be answered. Among the concerns are votes cast by convicted felons whose right to vote has not been restored by the courts; people not registered to vote; provisional ballots that were counted inconsistently among counties; and votes cast by people who are deceased.

Since Election Day, there have been warning signs that King County’s elections office has major problems. King County alone had 1,800 more votes cast than there are registered voters in King County. In addition, King County has admitted that at least 350 provisional ballots, cast by people whose voter registration was not verified, were improperly put into vote-counting machines at polling places. Once those ballots went into the machines, there was no way to separate them from the legitimate votes cast.

After opening ceremonies, Senate Republicans moved to delay certification of the gubernatorial race for two weeks to give the Chelan County Superior Court time to review the merits of the election challenge filed by the Washington State Republican Party. Two private citizens have also filed affidavits with the Washington State Supreme Court challenging the gubernatorial election.

Senate Republicans argued that delaying certification is not a political question or a partisan question, but one that goes to the very core of what makes a democracy work – the trust of voters.

One Senate Democrat joined the Republicans in the motion to delay certification. The motion was defeated 25-24 since Democrat legislators hold the majority in the Senate.

During a joint session of the House and Senate on the second day of session, a motion was again made to delay certification of the governor’s election. After more than an hour of debate, with Republicans speaking out on behalf of Washington’s citizens and their right to have confidence in their election process, the Democrat majorities defeated the motion on a vote of 65-80.

So far, one bill has been filed to force a runoff election between Rossi and Gregoire. This measure, Senate Bill 5079, is sponsored by 14 Republican senators. With Democrat majorities in both the House and Senate, it is not likely such a bill will be enacted into law.

Election reform
Because of the widespread problems discovered in the governor’s race, there will be a focus on election reforms this session. Many ideas have already been discussed. Below are the bills that have been filed so far:

·       Require everyone to re-register to vote to clean up voter rolls. (Senate Bill 5078)
·       Require voters to mark ballot envelopes confirming United States citizenship. (Senate Bill 5080)
·       Require absentee ballots to reach a county auditor’s office by Election Day. (Senate Bill  5082)
·       Allowing voters to indicate abstention from voting on any particular office. (Senate Bill 5088) This measure addresses one of the issues related to “enhanced ballots” – a process where election workers try to determine a voter’s intent when ballots are not correctly marked.

Sen. Pam Roach, ranking Republican on the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee, today held a news conference in which she outlined the package of election reform bills sponsored by Senate Republicans this year. Election reform issues will continue to be a priority for all of us, as the integrity of the voting process is paramount. 

Legislature faces revenue shortfall
At least a $1.8 billion shortfall is expected for the 2005-07 biennium. The problem arises from the assumption that the state will:

·       continue all current services to include funding the 400-percent increase in pension costs for the next two years and the 11-percent annual inflation cost of health care;

·       maintain a $300 million emergency reserve fund;
·       pay the new costs of state employee collective bargaining;
·       fund I-732 teachers’ cost of living increases;
·       fund I-728 class size reduction; and
·       fund increased higher education enrollments.

The Senate dealt with a huge revenue shortfall in 2003 without raising taxes. The state’s economy has gotten better since then, but our economic recovery still lags behind the rest of the nation. Our jobless rate is still higher than the national average. It is a bad time to increase the tax burden on struggling families and businesses. However, majority Democrats have enough votes in both the House and Senate to fill the budget gap with new taxes as proposed by Gov. Gary Locke before he left office. It is my hope that balancing the budget without resorting to damaging tax increases or draining the state’s emergency reserve fund can be accomplished.

Enduring solutions to persistent problems
Senate Republicans have pledged to continue to work on civil liability reform this year, and a fair and rational overhaul of the state’s workers’ compensation system.

We will also work to further our efforts on regulatory reform by proposing bills to significantly reduce the state’s quagmire of red tape on businesses. Unnecessary and burdensome regulations force businesses to close and put people out of work.

In addition, we will continue to offer changes to state water law so that there is more certainty and to encourage more efficient use of this precious resource. The need for water in agriculture and for human consumption must be placed on equal footing with fish and wildlife. Good laws will conserve this resource so all needs can be met.

Just a few of the issues to watch this session
·       Public safety – The Legislature must address the court decision that juries, not judges, should impose exceptional sentences when circumstance of a crime warrant more jail time than the standard sentencing range. Current law leaves this up to a sentencing judge. Identity theft continues to be a growing problem and many are calling for new laws to allow victims to recover triple damages and a passport program that protects victims from arrest for crimes committed by someone who stole their identity. Persistent offenders of the state’s drunk driving laws may see a new law this year that elevates drunk driving from a gross misdemeanor to a felony for those convicted of the crime more than once.

·       Education – A suit has been filed claiming the state does not adequately fund special education. Many want the state to take a hard look at the funding formula for special education and solve the problem in the Legislature, rather than leaving it to the court.

·       Child welfare – Calls for reform and a child welfare agency independent of the massive Department of Social and Health Services have grown out of recent deaths of children supposedly under the eye of Child Protective Services and by a poor ranking in a federal review of the state’s system to protect children.

·       Transportation of goods – Washington farmers and manufacturers ship their products across the state to local, national and international markets. Eastern Washington agricultural products are especially affected by gridlock and safety concerns. Some eastside growers make two trips a day to Puget Sound ports, but the traffic in the afternoon can cause the trucks to miss waiting ships. This year, Washington growers will advocate for a greater share of the state’s transportation revenue to improve freight mobility.

It is a privilege to represent you as your state senator. I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Linda Evans Parlette
State Senator, 12th District
(360) 786-7622