Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This past week has been filled with both disappointment and optimism. Tuesday marked the end of the 30-day special session with no agreed-upon state budget. This is disappointing given state lawmakers’ advanced knowledge of our state budget shortfall and the need for reforms. When times are tough, it has become common here in Olympia to point fingers and assign blame. Rather than doing that, I will tell you that all of us lawmakers share in the responsibility of our budget situation.

My optimism comes from signs that both parties are working toward a compromise solution. Citizens across our state are expecting us to pass a balanced and sustainable budget that adequately funds education, preserves essential services, and protects the economy. As your representative, this is what I will continue to pursue.

I voted against a budget last week that would have raised taxes by over $600 million while backtracking on proposed funding levels for K-12 education. I hope you appreciate my vote despite interest in finishing this process. The Governor has called us into a second special session during which I hope we will get an opportunity to vote on a budget we all can be proud of considering the circumstances. Hopefully, I can share this good news in my email update next week.

Thank you for continued support and the opportunity to represent you here in Olympia.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

Olympia Office (January-April)
122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

District Office (May-December)
11 Spokane Street, Suite 205A | Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 662-5733