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13th District lawmakers tout
accomplishments of 2004 session
Lawmakers wrapped up the
60-day 2004 legislative session on schedule Thursday, with final
agreements reached on key measures, such as a supplemental operating
budget, a measure to increase penalties for sex offenders, and a bill to
allow the creation of independent charter schools in Washington.
Reps.
Bill Hinkle and Janéa Holmquist say the session was largely
successful, with Republican lawmakers focused on creating jobs and
restoring trust in government to address issues important to citizens.
Among the key steps to improve the state’s economic climate was the
extension of tax incentives that will attract employers and create jobs
in high-demand fields.
“The tax incentives we extended this year will position our state for
economic recovery, which will help families who have had tough times
over the past few years,” said Hinkle, R-Cle Elum. “They will attract
more employers and encourage them to expand. That means more jobs –
which means a better economy and a better quality of life for everyone
in Washington.”
The 13th District lawmakers said they were pleased with measures that
will benefit local communities, including a bill (HB 2504) to make it
easier for irrigators in the Odessa aquifer subarea to use more abundant
surface water from the Columbia Basin Project without relinquishing
unused groundwater rights. Another measure will allow Eastern and
Central Washington residents to challenge state rules and regulations in
courts in Yakima or Spokane counties, rather than limiting legal
challenges to Thurston County.
“These are significant bills that address the needs of citizens in our
local communities,” said Holmquist, R-Moses Lake. “The relief for Odessa
aquifer subarea irrigators is one of the most significant water policy
changes of the session, and I hope it serves as an example of how we can
do a better job of conserving resources while protecting water rights.
Opening up new venues for challenging state rules and regulations will
also give our communities a stronger voice when state agencies adopt
rules that affect our employers, landowners and families. These are
common-sense solutions fostering trust in state government.”
Holmquist was also pleased with a measure she sponsored which will help
secure convictions of drunk drivers, who were avoiding punishment
through technicalities in the law regarding the use of breathalyzers.
Working with prosecutors and law enforcement officers throughout
Washington, she pushed House Bill 3055 through the Legislature, which
would clarify the terms under which breathalyzers would be admissible as
evidence.
The Legislature also approved a measure sponsored by Hinkle to create a
new postage stamp honoring the coalmining heritage of the 13th District
and other regions of Washington (HJM 4007). Another Hinkle bill to pass
the Legislature will shift up to 80 percent of the tax collected on
timber harvested on public land from state coffers over to local
counties (SHB 2693). That money can be used to ease local government
budgets and help them continue to provide much-needed services.
The two lawmakers agreed one of the biggest disappointments of the
session was the lack of movement on meaningful tort reforms that are
needed to reduce liability costs that are limiting job growth,
increasing the cost of housing, and making it harder for families to get
access to affordable health care, especially in rural areas.
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For more information, contact:
John Handy, Assistant
Communications Director - (360) 786-5758
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