Sept. 16, 2009

Dear friends and neighbors,

The meaning of community is at the forefront of my mind. Last weekend I served as grand marshal at Sportsman's Days in Naches, and I want to thank the families who attended for a worthwhile cause. On Saturday, I joined with our community and rallied against gang violence. Our community has really stepped up to show solidarity in the wake of fear and uncertainty.

I was also encouraged to read last month about the effect the new felony eluding law is having on the number of suspects fleeing from the police. I think criminals are finding its easier to face the music than to run, and I hope to see this downward trend continue.


Increase in gang violence

Saturday's march and rally made us realize how important it is for us to join together and find solutions in our own neighborhoods. I was glad that the city council approved additional funding for more street cops amidst the surge in gang violence. It's important for Yakima to commit and invest in public safety. I hope the Legislature will do the same next year.

I continue to be committed to passing a civil gang injunction. If the state allowed local governments to use a gang injunction, proven gang members could be prevented from committing crimes they are plotting and our communities would be safer. This has been successful in California and I think it can work here. Attorney General Rob McKenna has a great desire to help craft tough legislation that cracks down on violence while protecting civil liberties and our current laws. I'll keep you updated on our progress as we near session.

Health care reform

We need long-term solutions to reduce the cost of health care and the burden it puts on families and employers. I'm encouraged to see so many engaged in the political process in the national health care reform debate. There are many ideas out there, and while it may be confusing, I hope you will continue to be a part of the solution.

On Sept. 22, Rep. Doug Ericksen, ranking Republican on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, will come to Yakima for a health care town hall. He will brief community members on solutions he introduced in the 2009 legislative session that would reduce the cost of, and increase access to, quality health care. My Yakima-area legislative colleagues (Reps. Johnson, Hinkle, and Taylor) and I will be there to answer questions and discuss health care solutions for the state. Our proposals are focused on choices, responsibility and driving costs down. I encourage you to join us for a constructive discussion about the direction we want to take our state with health insurance reforms.
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Yakima Convention Center, Room C.

Please feel free to call or e-mail me about any of the issues facing the state or our district, or we can set up a face-to-face meeting. My contact information is at the top.

Sincerely,

Charles Ross
14th District State Representative

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