Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2016 Legislative session is scheduled to adjourn March 10. Both the House and Senate are working to finalize adjustments to the existing two-year operating, transportation, and capital budgets. As I discussed in a previous update, small changes to the already approved two-year spending plans are made in the even-numbered years like 2016. Over the next week, lawmakers will likely reach agreements on the three supplemental budgets. I will share more detailed information on the results of those discussions in next week’s update. Read more about the Senate and House budget and funding proposals.
2016 Apple Blossom Royal Court Visits the State Capitol
I was honored to host the Apple Blossom Royalty in Olympia this week. Spring in the Wenatchee Valley brings thoughts of orchards, fields, and apple blossoms. The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival promotes our traditions and agricultural heritage by sending its royalty as ambassadors to various locations and events throughout the state.
Read Governor Inslee’s twitter post on the Apple Blossom Royalty visit at the capitol.
It was a real pleasure to spend some quality time with Queen Kori Martin, Princess Emily Holmes, and Princess Sami Everhart. It is wonderful to have such an intelligent and poised group of young women to represent our region. The ladies met with Representative Condotta, Senator Parlette, Secretary of State Kim Wyman, and Governor Jay Inslee. I also introduced them to many of my House and Senate colleagues, and the ladies proudly distributed Applets and Cotlets throughout the capitol. The Senate also passed a resolution honoring the festival. Read Senate Resolution 8728.
2016 Apple Blossom Royalty Song and interview
The debut of the royalty song about the festival is beginning to become a bit of a tradition for my office. The girls did a fabulous job to the tune of another Taylor Swift song this year. Please check out their song video here. Here is a video of my interview of the Apple Blossom Royalty visit to the capitol.
Secretary of State Helps Register Royalty to Vote
One of the many highlights of the day was the time we spent with Secretary of State Kim Wyman, which included registering and pre-registering the royal court to vote in the upcoming election and future elections. Most people might not realize that state law allows pre-registration to vote for youth who are 17 but will turn 18 by election day. It’s so fun to see young people being involved in their state government.
The ladies also enjoyed some laughs throughout the day, like when they practiced applying official state seals in the Secretary of State’s office. We definitely packed the royal court’s schedule, but they always managed to not only do an outstanding job representing our area – but having fun and being genuine during the process. I’d like to thank them again for the visit and thank everyone in the Wenatchee Valley who sponsors and supports the Apple Blossom Festival. The festival on April 28 – May 8, 2016 will indeed be Simply the Best!
As always, I appreciate hearing your questions, concerns and comments. It is an honor to serve as your state representative.
Sincerely,
Brad Hawkins
State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: www.representativebradhawkins.com
122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
