Bringing transparency and accountability to the budget process
While the majority party continues to struggle with how they're going to fill a $6 billion budget hole they helped create, it's important for us to remember that we need to make fundamental changes to the structure of the budgeting process.  "Business as usual" will only get us right back in this mess down the road.

I'm cosponsoring legislation that will allow more public input into the budget process.  House Bill 1654 establishes a period of public and legislative review for the state's major appropriations bills.  Dubbed "The Budget Sunshine Act," it would require a five-day waiting period before either legislative body could vote on the operating, capital or transportation budgets.

For the most part, the actual budget never sees the light of day before it is brought to the floor for a full vote.  We need to allow legislators and the public enough time to give input when deciding the state's most important issue.  While this legislation won't necessarily help get us out of the current $6 billion budget hoe, it would help us shed light on the upcoming budget proposals and the impacts of our decisions.

I am also cosponsoring a legislative balanced budget requirement with House Bill 1655.  Currently, the governor is required to present a balanced budget, but the Legislature is not required to pass one.  This bill would require the Legislature to pass a balanced budget.

It's important that we immediately dispel any notion of borrowing money to pay for the state's everyday operating expenses.  As the budget shortfall continues to grow, every option will be considered by the majority party.  This is one option that should be off the table.  Borrowing money to pay for everyday expenses is bad fiscal policy and would lead to more problems down the road.

Cattle Producers I had the opportunity to meet with the Cattle Producers from the 9th District.  It was a pleasure to have them stop by. And, we all learned something new: you have to have SPECIAL PERMISSION from the Speaker of the House (Rep. Frank Chopp) to wear a cowboy hat on the House floor.  We got the permission, and they got to wear their hats!

Education Task Force Spending
A bi-partisan group of legislators from the Washington State Senate and Washington State House of Representatives introduced legislation this week in the House and Senate that, if enacted, will result in the most sweeping changes in our state's education system since the 1970s.

The legislation mirrors recommendations from a task force that spent nearly two years reviewing Washington's definition of 'basic education' and the funding structure to support it. The task force delivered its recommendations to the Legislature earlier this month.

This bill will directly affect every school and school district in the 9th Legislative District.  I want to know more about the bill, especially funding levels for smaller rural districts.  I will continue to gather information on this issue and report back to you accordingly.

UPDATE: Cap and Trade
Last week, I told you about Governor Gregoire's "cap and trade" proposal that would cap emissions for the manufacturing and energy producing sectors of our economy.  This week, House Bill 1819, the governor's cap and trade bill, was introduced by Rep. Dave Upthegrove (the governor cannot introduce legislation; she must find someone willing and "request" that they sponsor it).

The way I see it, this is not the time to be adding punitive and costly environmental policies on our employers.  Our state accounts for only three-tenths of one percent of global greenhouse gasses.  We shouldn't be risking our state economy and jobs for an unproven regulation policy that burdens businesses and discourages out-of-state companies from bringing their jobs here.

I have serious concerns that a state-sponsored cap and trade proposal would end up spending our limited state resources, cost businesses money they don't have, and cost our state and region jobs we can't afford to lose.

This bill will affect every one that uses natural gas, electricity or gasoline.  I would encourage all concerned citizens to call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-600, or leave a message on the governor's website here, and let her know Washington families and businesses cannot afford the costly environmental regulations she is proposing.

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