Feb. 26, 2009

Dear friends and neighbors,

We are in the seventh week of our fast-moving legislative session. Yesterday was the cut-off date for policy committees, so state representatives have been going over a lot of bills in their respective committees. Many of these measures will move forward to the House floor next week. In other words, the next two weeks will be really busy!

Below are but a few of the issues before state lawmakers. I just wanted to share my views on them and then welcome your feedback.    


Revenue forecast shows state now facing $8 billion budget shortfall

We received disappointing news last Thursday, when a preliminary revenue forecast showed our state now faces an $8 billion budget shortfall. The Everett Herald has a story on this issue here. 

What also concerns me is that majority-party budget leaders in the House and Senate are signaling they are considering raising taxes as a way to address the problem. I am for a no-new-taxes and prioritized state government approach, and explained my position in a statement to the media here.


Putting money aside in good economic times

I am sponsoring legislation that would direct exceptional state revenue in good economic times to the state's rainy day fund. House Joint Resolution 4209 would require the state constitution to be amended.

We face an $8 billion budget shortfall today, but what has been lost in the debate is the fact our state had a $1.6 billion surplus just three years ago. Had our state been responsible and put this extra revenue aside, our budget shortfall would be much smaller today. Saving more money in good economic times is just a smart way to budget, and would lead to taxpayer protections.

You can read more about this legislation here.


Honoring women's suffrage in our state

I had the great honor of standing up on the House floor Friday to speak on House Resolution 4618 -- a measure that commemorates the centennial of the submission of the equal suffrage amendment to the people of the state of Washington. I would like to thank the Washington Women’s History Consortium and the Washington State Historical Society for their leadership on this resolution and important outreach efforts. 


Health care cost transparency

When people go to their health care providers, there is little transparency in the costs of the services they are provided. This is because health care is paid primarily by a third party -- either a health carrier or a public program that purchases health care for covered individuals.

I am sponsoring a bill that would require the disclosure of all fees and charges for care services by health care providers and licensed facilities, at the request of the patient. House Bill 1869 would provide transparency and better public information on cost and quality of health care.

The goal of this measure is to assist patients in making informed choices about their health care, help providers improve by benchmarking their performance against others and encourage private insurers and public programs to reward quality and efficiency.

My bill has passed out of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, and I am hopeful it will reach the House floor this week.


Staying connected with you

In closing, if you ever have any ideas, questions or concerns to share with me, please let me know. My contact information is above and can also be found here.

Please visit my Web site to view my video updates, news releases and bills. Also be on the lookout for information on town hall meetings I will be holding in our communities on March 14. 

Sincerely,


Barbara Bailey

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