Author Archives: ericlafontaine

Hawkins receives Community Impact Award for Public Life and Leadership

News article: Balancing Act: Brad Hawkins on navigating politics, public service and personal life | The Wenatchee World, Jan. 27

Community Impact Awards Ceremony

The Community Impact Awards, hosted by The Wenatchee World, “honored those who make our communities better with their work, leadership, courage and contributions.” The Community Impact Awards was held on February 29, 2024, at the Pybus Public Market, LocalTel Event Center. Appetizers, including light refreshments, wine, and beer, were served to ticket holders.

Community Impact Awards – Honorees

  • Public Life and Leadership Award – Brad Hawkins, State Senator
  • Community Connection Award – Darci Christoferson, Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
  • Local Hero Award – Carmen Fernanda Santos, 14-year old Fire Survivor
  • Business Impact Award – Travis Hornby, Pybus Public Market
  • Progress Award – Chelan-Douglas Land Trust

Congratulations to Darci, Carmen, Travis, and the Land Trust for also being recognized for Impact Awards!

Monroe officials visit State Capitol

Representatives from the City of Monroe visited the State Capitol on Feb. 8 to discuss city issues. The group met with 12th District State Senator Brad Hawkins as part of the Association of Washington Cities advocacy efforts.

Sen. Hawkins said, “I had a great discussion with the council and staff on a variety of issues, including city efforts towards the updated municipal campus, community mental health supports, and the State Route 522 project. It’s always great to connect with Monroe officials on issues. I really enjoy visiting with them. We have a strong connection and helpful communications. It’s a great partnership.”

Hawkins recognized by City of Leavenworth for affordable housing efforts

The City of Leavenworth recognized State Senator Brad Hawkins on April 9 for his continued work to address affordable housing challenges in its community. Hawkins has partnered with the city and community organizations in recent years to help address the city’s unique challenges related to affordable housing, particularly workforce housing.

The Leavenworth Mayor and Council approved Resolution 06-2024, honoring Hawkins and thanking him for his leadership on housing issues. A portion of the resolution stated:

“WHEREAS, Senator Brad Hawkins has demonstrated unwavering support for efforts to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Leavenworth and

WHEREAS, Senator Hawkins has exhibited exceptional dedication and commitment in securing essential funding for vital community projects, including allocating $1.3 million in Washington’s 2024 supplemental capital budget towards Upper Valley MEND’s Affordable Rental Housing Project.”

Hawkins said, “I am very honored by the council’s recognition and have enjoyed working with the city and others to help address the affordable housing challenges in Leavenworth.”

He added, “This issue needs to be addressed continually because it is ongoing and evolving. We need to keep working together so that Leavenworth can continue to house a workforce to support its tourism economy and maintain its character as a community.”

Hawkins’ Senate Bill 5868

In 2022, Hawkins partnered with the City of Leavenworth, Chelan County, Upper Valley MEND, and community advocates to secure passage of his Senate Bill 5868, which allows counties to utilize their existing .09 sales tax dollars for affordable housing infrastructure or facilities. Chelan County has been utilizing this new authority to support project funding as part of its Cascade Public Infrastructure Fund.

Leavenworth Affordable Housing Funding

This past legislative session, in 2024, Hawkins sponsored a $1.3 million capital budget project to complete Upper Valley MEND’s Affordable Rental Project, which will preserve 31 apartment units in Leavenworth for affordable workforce rentals. This project has been a multi-year effort for MEND, which received support from the City of Leavenworth, Chelan County, Washington State, and private contributors. This year’s $1.3 million closes the project’s final funding gap.

Sen. Brad Hawkins, 12th Legislative District

“Thank you to Upper Valley Mend, City of Leavenworth, Chelan County Commissioners, our State Representatives, community members, and many others working together to help address Leavenworth’s unique affordable housing challenges. It takes a team effort to progress on a challenging issue like this.”

Kaylin Bettinger, Upper Valley Mend

“The rural Upper Wenatchee Valley region – home to Leavenworth – is facing a crisis of affordable housing for local employees. Without housing for employees, local businesses are reducing their open hours, and services like the local hospital and school district struggle to hire and retain staff. Our expensive housing market has driven local workers out, which negatively impacts community vibrancy as well as our local economy.”

Mayor Carl Florea, City of Leavenworth

“This is critical because, while Leavenworth has grown its tourism workforce by over 500 workers in the past 10 years, we have not provided more than a handful of housing units for these same workers over that period of time. We are fast becoming a community that is affordable only to wealthy second home buyers. This is not sustainable and not healthy for our community, our environment, or our businesses.”

Leavenworth Resolution 06-2024 – Sen. Hawkins

Senate honors WHS Girls Volleyball State Champions

It was an honor to host the Wenatchee High School State Champion Girls Volleyball Team at the State Capitol on Tuesday, February 20.

Click here to view Resolution 8651

 

Video tributes to WHS Girls Volleyball Team

TVW Video of Resolution approval (Feb. 20, 2024)

Resolution 8651 Approval – WHS Girls Volleyball Team

Senator Hawkins interview with WHS Girls Volleyball Team

WHS Volleyball Team Meets Governor Inslee

 

Sen. Brad Hawkins – Statement

“It was my honor to welcome the team to the State Capitol. We packed a lot in during their stay, including my Senate resolution, capitol tour, Governor’s meeting, and visit with our State Representatives Steele and Goehner. It’s quite special what the team has accomplished and it should be celebrated.”

“These young ladies are superstars on and off the court. I was happy to show them my full support by inviting them to the capitol and making their visit as special as possible. We had a great time together!”

Apple Blossom Royalty visit State Capitol

I was honored to host the 2024 Apple Blossom Royalty at the State Capitol today!

It is always a highlight when the Apple Blossom Royalty visit. My wife and I attended the Royalty Pageant just a couple weeks ago, so it was so fun to meet the girls in person. I enjoyed getting to know the Royalty and providing them a tour. The girls had a large bag of Applets and Cotlets to share, and those were a big hit with my Senate colleagues.

The Royalty were excellent ambassadors for our 105-year old Apple Blossom Festival. What amazing products of our community! They are smart, kind, friendly, and mature beyond their years. They had no problem mixing it up and interacting with Senators. I was proud to host them and look forward to seeing them again at the Grand Parade! They also met with Representative Steele and Goehner.

Congratulations to Queen Ella Stimmel and Princesses Jenissa Hepton and Lexie Fennell!

The 105th Washington State Apple Blossom Festival will be held April 25 – May 5. For more information, visit appleblossom.org.

Click here to watch the Royalty Court interview

Click here to watch the 2024 Apple Blossom Song

Sen. Hawkins with the Apple Blossom Royalty – Feb. 27, 2024

Hawkins prepares legislation to address Tolt Dam false alarms

OLYMPIA… Senator Brad Hawkins of the 12th Legislative District (R-Wenatchee), who represents the City of Carnation, has prepared legislation related to Tolt Dam false alarms and financial penalties. Hawkins has circulated the bill’s language with city officials and community members.

Carnation residents have suffered multiple faulty alarm incidents associated with the Tolt River Dam, owned by the City of Seattle and operated by Seattle Public Utilities. The most recent false alarm, notifying the community of a catastrophic dam failure and flood, is approximately the eighth incident in four years.

Senator Hawkins and Carnation residents are extremely frustrated with the situation.

“Everyone I have communicated with, including Seattle Public Utilities, has said what is happening is unacceptable,” said Hawkins. “Since it continues to occur and cause trauma to the community, this bill seems like the only tool available to deter future occurrences and mitigate emotional impacts.”

The legislation proposes a new section of the law, imposing a $1 million financial penalty on Seattle Public Utilities for each false alarm occurrence. The funds collected from these penalties would be allocated for crucial purposes such as road improvements, emergency evacuation preparations, mental health counseling, and other community activities, directly benefiting the residents of Carnation.

“The City of Carnation has worked closely with Seattle since the first major false alarm in 2020 when the city evacuated in the span of one hour.  The trauma continues due to Seattle’s inability to properly manage the alarm system,” said Mayor Jim Ribail. Furthermore, the Mayor shared “we have met with Seattle Deputy Mayor Lowe, we have presented to the Seattle City Council, we engage with Seattle staff every other week and we are exactly where we were in 2020.”

Carnation City Manager Ana Cortez stated that “due to Seattle’s inability to properly supervise staff and contractors, we have requested a full shutdown of the alarm system. We are periodically communicating with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and given the seriousness of this pattern of neglect, FERC has required specific mitigation measures from Seattle.”

Stakeholders discuss SR 203 Roundabout near Carnation

Various stakeholders (city, county, tribe, and chamber groups) have joined forces since last summer to advocate for funding a roundabout at the SR 203 and Tolt Hill Road intersection. This is a dangerous intersection and the location of multiple accidents. Stakeholders met recently with transportation committee leaders and other legislators to discuss potential funding opportunities.

Statement – Sen. Hawkins

“We had a great meeting on Feb. 14 and I’m very proud of all the stakeholders for making such a strong case to get this project funded. It’s exciting to see how much progress this group has made over the past several months to come together and speak together with a unified voice to support this project.”

“Getting the project funded this year is nearly impossible, given the circumstances with transportation shortfalls this year, but the group made a strong case for the project. I know the transportation committee leaders were impressed with the strength and diversity of the group. We definitely established a strong foundation for support for the 2025 legislative session, if funding isn’t available this year.”

“I’m grateful to WSDOT who has worked hard to provide the group with a viable design and timely cost estimate. They have shared that due to other scheduled construction projects, they couldn’t realistically get this project completed – even if funded – until 2026 at the earliest, so we may have more time to work on the funding.”

View Stakeholder Support Packet

View Proposed Elliptical Roundabout

Participants

  • Sen. Brad Hawkins, Senate Transportation Committee member (12th District)
  • Rep. Keith Goehner, House Transportation Committee member (12th District)
  • Rep. Mike Steele, House Republican Deputy Leader (12th District)
  • Sen. Marko Liias, Senate Transportation Committee Chair
  • Sen. Curtis King, Senate Transportation Committee Ranking Member
  • Sarah Perry, King County Councilmember
  • Matthew Randazzo, Snoqualmie Tribe
  • Nathan Sherfey, Remlinger Farms and Chamber
  • Cheryl Paquette, Remlinger Farms and Chamber
  • Gary Remlinger, Remlinger Farms
  • Jim Ribail, Mayor of Carnation
  • Jessica Merizan, City of Carnation City Council
  • Kelly Coughlin, Sno Valley Chamber
  • Mac Nicholson, King County staff
  • Rhonda Ender, City of Carnation
  • Bob Grassie, Sno Valley Chamber Board President
  • Senate Transportation Committee and Legislative Staff

Sultan officials present Hawkins with Certificate of Appreciation

Sultan officials present Hawkins with Certificate of Appreciation

Sultan Mayor Russell Wiita and city officials visited the State Capitol on Feb. 8 to discuss city issues with Senator Hawkins. The city was advocating in connection with its Association of Washington Cities legislative meetings in Olympia. During their visit to the State Capitol, Sultan officials presented Senator Hawkins with a Certificate of Appreciation for his many efforts on behalf of the city.

The certificate reads:

In recognition of your support of the City of Sultan during the 2023 legislative session including continued progress on US-2 improvements, support of public safety legislation, and investments in the City’s Mountain View Park Project. Your service and representation on behalf of Sultan residents in greatly appreciated.