|
Ericksen reflects on first
half of legislative session
Rep. Doug Ericksen,
R-Ferndale, reflected on the first half of the legislative session by
saying some progress had been made and opportunities await, but that the
Washington State House of Representatives has missed out on
opportunities to move the state forward in important areas.
The legislative session
began on January 10 and is scheduled to run 105 days.
“We’ve not brought enough
bills forward that will help make health care more affordable, create
jobs, and fix our broken elections system,” said Ericksen. “It’s clear
the two parties have different ideas on how to move the state forward –
and the minority’s views are not being considered. I remain optimistic
for the future, though.”
Democrats hold a 56-42
majority in the state House, a 26-23 majority in the state Senate, and
have one of their own in the governor’s mansion.
Addressing our health care crisis
The House passed four
controversial prescription drugs bills that were called “bill-title
politics” by House Republicans because they sound good, but do not
accomplish what they claim to do. The measures were even described by
the Democrat chairwoman of the House Health Care Committee as largely
symbolic and admitted neither would significantly rein in the cost of
prescription drugs or health care.
“The prescription drug
bills passed by the House make false promises, could jeopardize a
person’s opportunity to go to Canada for prescription drugs, and do
nothing to address our health care crisis,” said Ericksen. “Solutions
start with allowing for health insurance plans that are tailored to the
needs of individuals, enacting true medical liability reforms, and
letting health savings accounts stretch dollars for families.”
Helping employers
Few measures have moved
forward to assist Washington employers who face a challenging business
climate.
“More must be done for
small employers who, along with our farmers, are the backbone of our
state’s economy,” said Ericksen. “It’s disappointing we aren’t able to
rein in regulatory taxes in workers’ compensation and other programs,
reform the state’s rulemaking process in a more comprehensive way, and
extend new tax incentives for start-ups. Until we do, we’re going to
continue to have an unfavorable unemployment rate.”
Ericksen bills for 42nd
District
Ericksen did note some
measures have moved forward that were encouraging, especially for the
42nd District. He sponsored House Bill 1117, which passed out of the
House on a unanimous vote. The measure allows dairy farmers to move
overweight manure spreaders on county roads and authorizes the
Legislature to look into policies regarding the movement of all farm
implements.
House Joint Memorial 4003,
which asks the U.S. Department of Transportation to consider Washington
as a candidate for federal funding for the implementation of magnetic
levitation projects, passed out of the House on a 97-0 vote. This
measure was also sponsored by Ericksen. Magnetic levitation
transportation technology would allow for more efficient transfer of
people and goods on a train-like system that has no wheels, axles or
transmissions. It hovers instead of rolling.
Ericksen is also
sponsoring a measure that would allow local authorities to remove gravel
from waterways when it’s deemed a threat to flooding. House Bill 1118
received a public hearing, but has not moved out of the House Natural
Resources, Ecology & Parks Committee.
State drought
Ericksen is appreciative
of his party’s leadership on the rapidly emerging state drought.
“I’m proud House
Republicans stepped out ahead of our drought problem and are leading the
way,” said Ericksen. “We’ve already established a bipartisan group to
address this issue. Too much is on the line for the farmers of Whatcom
County and across the state for us not to be proactive.”
State budget
Each odd-numbered year,
such as 2005, legislators must pass a state budget that spans the
following two years. It is derived from tax dollars or other revenues
and pays for public schools, higher education, human services,
government and judicial operations, natural resources, and other special
appropriations.
“The most important part
of the second half of this legislative session is passing a state budget
that does not raise taxes. Our recent revenue forecast suggests we could
increase state spending by 7.1 percent, or $1.65 billion, without having
to raise taxes at all,” said Ericksen. “It’s imperative we prioritize
state spending, address structural problems in state government,
establish a statutory spending limit, and create a constitutional
rainy-day fund that will protect taxpayers during economic downturns.”
Capital budget
Ericksen remains
optimistic the 42nd District will benefit from the Capital Budget. This
budget appropriates money for the construction and repair of public
buildings and other long-term investments, such as land acquisitions and
transfers. It also includes state money that is either given or lent to
local governments or nonprofit organizations for infrastructure,
housing, and cultural and heritage facilities. Ericksen is working on a
number of projects that would benefit rural Whatcom County.
House leadership
Republicans in the House
elected Ericksen to the position of Floor Leader – one of the top
positions on the leadership team. In this position, Ericksen helps set
priorities for the Republican caucus and leads activity during floor
sessions.
Ericksen is also a member
of the influential House Rules Committee, which determines what bills
will be advanced to the House floor, and House Transportation, Capital
Budget and Finance committees.
For more information on
Rep. Ericksen, visit: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/ericksen.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
|