Jan. 12, 2009

Ericksen outlines the first four things
the Legislature should accomplish in 2009
42nd District lawmaker advocates for taxpayer protection, stimulus-project permitting, health insurance inter-state purchases, and local government and education mandate suspensions

Rep. Doug Ericksen has outlined the first four things he thinks the Legislature should accomplish in 2009. The 42nd District lawmaker believes there is much more at stake in the legislative session than just addressing the anticipated $6 billion budget shortfall.

“I believe the freedoms that we currently have will be debated and voted on – and either preserved or eliminated – this year. This will be a transformational year and the public needs to pay close attention to what is happening in Olympia,” said Ericksen, R-Ferndale. “In order to protect our freedoms, control runaway growth in state government, and preserve the fundamentals we believe in as Americans, the Legislature should pass four major bills in the first ten days. And this legislation is ready to go.”

Ericksen believes state lawmakers should do the following:

     • Pass a state constitutional amendment to limit the growth of state government.
     • Enact emergency permitting status for any economic stimulus dollars so the state   can start the most important projects immediately – not just the ones that are ready to go.
     • Allow Washingtonians to purchase health insurance approved in other states. This would provide quick relief to the high costs of health care during the economic downturn.
     • Suspend all mandates on local governments and school districts passed by the Legislature in the last six years. This would allow local officials to decide their own priorities in handling their budget shortfalls.

Ericksen believes there has never been a better time for a state constitutional spending limit.

“Now is the time to let Washingtonians decide once and for all if they want to put their state government on a budget. The voters have passed spending limits through initiatives, only to have legislators – Democrats and Republicans – amend, suspend and repeal them,” said Ericksen. “During this time of crisis, we cannot forget that the budget problem stems largely from overspending and rampant growth in state government. The single most important vote we can take to protect our individual freedoms is to pass a state constitutional spending limit.”

Ericksen thinks the state’s permitting process is broken and it could limit the benefits of any federal stimulus package. He notes that legislation to accelerate the state permitting process, but still protect the environment, is ready to go and should be given emergency consideration by the Legislature.

“News from Washington, DC indicates the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars to states for infrastructure projects. While the merit of this approach is debatable, if federal dollars become available to our state then we need to be ready,” said Ericksen. “Unfortunately, our permitting system is broken. Unless we make fixes, any federal dollars will be underutilized on projects that might be ready to go but are not top priorities. We need to pass emergency permitting laws now so we can leverage important projects that will drive our economy for the next fifty years. Let’s get to work building the future – not just filling potholes.”

Ericksen, who was recently appointed ranking Republican of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, is also concerned about not only the rising cost of health care for Washingtonians, but the problem of access.

“The weakening economy is exposing just how badly Washington state has managed its health care system. As revenue declines and health insurance premiums rise, individuals and employers are forced to cut back on health care or cancel plans,” said Ericksen. “In order to make sure people have access to health care, we need to allow health insurance plans approved in other states to be offered here. This will reduce costs and keep more people covered. More choice and greater competition is an important step toward health care reform that will benefit everyone.”

Ericksen also wants to give local governments and schools more control over their systems and budgets.

“Since 2002, there has been an ‘Olympia knows best’ philosophy in the Legislature. As a result, unfunded mandates on local governments and schools have been demanded with seemingly no concern for the burdensome costs,” said Ericksen. “We must trust our local officials during these difficult times. The Legislature should suspend all mandates on local governments and schools passed since 2001. It should also set up a process to review all mandates – with the intent to repeal unnecessary ones – passed prior to 2001. This will provide immediate budget relief to local governments and schools.”

Ericksen believes these four reforms are just the beginning of a long and important process to renew the state, while still preserving individual freedoms. He remains committed to providing real solutions for a better Washington.

The 2009 legislative session began today and is scheduled to run 105 consecutive days.

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For more information, contact: John Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758