March 27, 2009

Dear Friends and Neighbors, In direct contrast to last week's hectic pace, this week's schedule and activity has been relatively light as we continue to wait for the new operating budget to be revealed.  We're winding down the policy committees but the budget committees are not putting budgets out as rapidly as was hoped.  We are in "wait" mode now while the budget writers iron out the details of their budget proposals. As we wait for the operating budget to be revealed I'll use this down time to respond to the hundreds of e-mails, letters and phone calls from constituents.  I appreciate your continued input and want you to  know that I look over each one thoroughly. While waiting for the solution to our state's nearly-$9 billion shortfall is frustrating, one of the budgets that has moved along and was introduced this week was the transportation budget.  I'll continue to look through the details of the transportation budget but my initial reaction is one of disappointment as it contains a "tolling" study on the new I-5 bridge.  I know this is NOT what the majority of my constituents want and so I will work to make sure the cost of the bridge doesn't take its toll on you.
		Rep. Orcutt on the House floor with "job shadows" Terri Morris-Nichols and Sarah Cave of Cowlitz County

I'm also concerned that the Senate version of Gov. Gregoire's cap and trade proposal was voted out of the House Ecology and Parks Committee on Friday.  I continue to have serious concerns about the costs this burdensome legislation will have on employers, energy producers and families.  I'll continue to update you on this legislation as it moves along through the legislative process.  The bill is Senate Bill 5735. Another bill that has generated a lot of angst for many of you is Senate Bill 5127 which would change the Fish and Wildlife Commission.  I have been working to protect citizens from the detrimental changes this bill would have had on public input into fish and wildlife management issues and the use of Department of Fish and Wildlife managed lands by the public.  It appears that we have been able to kill the bill in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, but we won't know for sure until late Monday afternoon.  I'll keep you posted. Again, thank you for reading my weekly update.  I appreciate your willingness to tune in on what's happening in Olympia.  It helps me to stay tuned in with what my constituents want and need.  If I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact my office.  It is a pleasure to serve you.

Rep. Orcutt with 12-year-old WAVA home school student Erik DeVore and his dad, Darwin DeVore of Camas.

Sincerely, Ed Orcutt State Representative, 18th District

Four of my five bills have passed out of Senate committees.  They are currently in the Senate Rules Committee which is the last stop prior to getting to the Senate floor.
House Bill 1038 – Specialized Forest Products (in Senate Rules Committee).
House Bill 1474 – Border County Higher Education Project (in Senate Rules Committee).
House Bill 1475 – Agency Rulemaking Information (in Senate Rules Committee).
House Bill 1478 – Deployed Military Personnel License Renewals (in Senate Rules Committee).
House Bill 1838 – Spirit Lake Fishery (still in Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean and Recreation).

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