Author Archives: Laudan

Hawkins’ “Walking start to Running Start” bill clears key Senate committee

A bill sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to modernize the Running Start Program has taken a key step forward. Senate Bill 5670, allowing 10th grade high school students to participate in online college classes, was approved today by the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Hawkins’ bipartisan bill was unanimously approved earlier in the session by the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, a new committee for Hawkins this year. Senate Bill 5670, as amended in the committee, allows 10th graders to participate in one college course per quarter, if the class is entirely online.

Created in 1990, Running Start is a popular tuition-free “dual credit” program in Washington state that allows high school juniors and seniors to earn college credits while also working toward their high school diplomas. State funding that follows the student is shared between the K-12 school districts and higher education institutions.

Hawkins believes the rationale for only allowing 11th and 12th graders in the Running Start program when it began over 30 years ago had to do with lawmakers likely not wanting to mix high school and traditional college students on campus. Considering how institutions structure classes for Running Start students and the rise of online only classes, Hawkins says it’s time to modernize the program.

“Many classes at community colleges are almost entirely high school students participating in Running Start so allowing sophomores who are academically ready to explore a limited number of online classes would be a very good thing,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins added, “You need to walk before you run, so I call my bill a walking start to Running Start.”

His bill directly aligns with state goals related to post-secondary attainment, which involves students earning credentials beyond a high school diploma. Hawkins said, “Many juniors and seniors work really hard to earn a two-year community college degree by the time they graduate from high school, which can be both overly stressful and impact their social opportunities.”

“Many students work really hard but don’t quite earn their college degree by the time they graduate from high school, yet they never go back to finish due to tuition cost and life circumstances.” He added, “My bill would allow 10th graders to chip away a bit at their two-year degree online and position them better to complete their college program.”

Senate Bill 5670 now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Hawkins prepares Senate amendment to “inclusive” curriculum bill

As the Legislature readies itself for multiple weeks of upcoming floor debate on hundreds of bills, Sen. Brad Hawkins is troubled by the mandates in Senate Bill 5462, which would require all school districts in the state to adopt an “inclusive” curriculum.

“The big issue I have with this proposal is the forced adoption of more Olympia-based curriculum by all school districts in the state,” said Hawkins. “This reminds me very much of the highly controversial ‘comprehensive’ sex education bill that was mandated upon every district just a few years ago.”

In 2020, Senate Bill 5395 was approved in the Legislature after much debate on nearly 200 House and Senate floor amendments. The bill, which Hawkins voted against, was eventually approved and was signed into law. After the governor signed it, citizens gathered enough signatures to create a referendum, which failed on a statewide vote in November 2020. During the intense floor debate in 2020, Hawkins’ amendment allowing families to opt out their children was one of the only amendments approved and signed into law.

For Senate Bill 5462, Hawkins will propose an amendment that “allows rather than requires” school districts to adopt the state-developed policies directing inclusive curriculum. It also removes requirements in the bill that apply to public charter schools. While Hawkins had success with his floor amendment in 2020, he is not as optimistic with this year’s Senate Bill 5462 amendment, saying, “The votes are not likely there to significantly change the statewide mandates this bill proposes, but I’m going to try.”

Hawkins added, “Lawmakers in Olympia need to allow our locally elected school boards to make more decisions for their communities, especially related to curriculum. Our whole school governance system was once predicated on local control and now it seems that the Washington State Legislature wants to become the ‘Washington State School Board.’”

Hawkins recognized as agricultural leader with inaugural award from State Tree Fruit Association

Sen. Brad Hawkins was recently named the 2017 Legislative Champion by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association for his work supporting the tree fruit industry across the state.

Hawkins represents the 12th Legislative District, which is renowned for its tree fruit production. He introduced legislation this past session to address challenges for growers presented by a 2015 court decision.

“Agriculture is a huge part of the 12th District and state economy,” said Hawkins. “I am honored to be recognized by the Tree Fruit Association for my work to ensure a strong and vibrant industry.”

Hawkins’ work includes bipartisan legislation aimed at improving compensation and settlement negotiations for the tree fruit industry.

“We need to ensure that workers and producers are able to resolve issues fairly,” Hawkins added. “My bipartisan bill provided a way for the industry to fairly compensate workers and protect producers who are working in good faith. Although it did not become law, it raised awareness of the issue that was hanging over the tree fruit industry and led to improved outcomes for all involved.”

The State Tree Fruit Association presented the inaugural award at its annual luncheon. “This award recognizes Senator Hawkins’ active leadership in support of the state’s tree fruit producers,” said WSTFA President Jon DeVaney. “Our members greatly appreciate the senator’s understanding of and support for our industry’s issues, and this is an opportunity to publicly thank him.”

Bill sponsored by Rep. Brad Hawkins at request of Chelan County signed into law

A bill sponsored by Rep. Rep. Brad Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee, updating a statute from the 1950’s pertaining to residency requirements of a county position known as the chief examiner signed into law today by Gov. Jay Inslee. The Chelan County Commissioners requested the change.

A chief examiner maintains records and testing procedures for civil service positions in counties. The position is a staff-level, non-elected position usually within a county’s human resources division. Under current law, a county’s chief examiner must reside within the county. House Bill 1752 will relieve counties of this strict residency requirement by allowing employees who serve in this role to live within the county or an adjacent county.

“I’m glad to see this change being made. In the Wenatchee Valley, because of the proximity of our two cities, counties, and school districts, some employees live in one jurisdiction and work in another. When the county brought this old statute to my attention, I thought it made sense to get it updated,” said Hawkins. “Other counties in the state need this little-known law updated as well and might not even realize they have a potential compliance issue. It is a modest bill to refresh an old statute, but I am glad I can help.”

House Bill 1752 approved by the House 92-4 and the Senate 48-0 before being signed into law by the governor. It will go into effect later this year.
Left to right in photo: Cathy Mulhall, Chelan County Administrator, Rep. Hawkins, Chelan County Commissioner Keith Goehner, Katie Batson, Human Resources Director.

Rep. Brad Hawkins end-of-session update

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I’m pleased to share that the Legislature has adjourned for the 2016 session. The Legislature required a special session, but the modifications to the budgets have now been approved. As you may know, the Legislature approves two-year state budgets. The two-year budgets approved in 2015 address funding for fiscal years 2015-2017. The Legislature will likely not reconvene again until January 2017 to develop the budgets for 2017-2019.

As can be expected, there were major “differences of opinion” on this year’s modifications to the existing budgets, commonly referred to as “supplemental” budgets. I favored minor adjustments. Some legislators here in Olympia had other ideas, which included increasing spending for the remainder of the 2015-2017 biennium and making transfers from an important reserve account. This approach would have left us with less in savings and made budgeting in future years much more challenging.

The original House-approved supplemental budget, which I voted against on February 25, proposed to utilize nearly $470 million from the state’s Budget Stabilization Account. This account, approved by voters in 2007, grows gradually as the state experiences “extraordinary revenue growth” during good economic years and is intended – in my opinion – to be utilized for emergency purposes. Fortunately, this original version did not advance.

The final budget approved in the special session this week, which I voted for, did not unnecessarily leverage the Budget Stabilization Account. The budget the Legislature just approved utilizes $190 million from this account for wildfire-related costs and reimbursements. The wildfires were indeed a state emergency and occurred last summer after the existing 2015-2017 budget had been approved. Our fire emergencies justify both the need for modifications to the existing budget and some additional spending.

2016 Supplemental Operating Budget

• $38.4 billion two-year budget ($190 million increase)
• $577 million projected ending fund balance
• $701 million projected Budget Stabilization Account ending balance
• $41 million for mental health investments
• $5.2 million for teacher recruitment and shortages
• $31 million for higher education
• More information on House Bill 2376 – click here

I am also pleased to share that this week’s vote on the Capital Budget provided some much-needed supplemental funding for infrastructure projects supported by me and my fellow 12th District legislators. These projects provide assistance to areas impacted by the 2014 Carlton Complex Fire as well as new design funds for a potential emergency operations center in Chelan County.

2016 Supplemental Capital Budget

• $1.1 million for Phase 2 Pateros Water System
• $1.84 million Phase 1 funding was provided in the 2015 budget
• $500,000 for Phase 2 Twisp Civic Center/Emergency Response Facility
• $500,000 Phase 1 funding was provided in the 2015 budget
• $209,000 for Phase 1 Chelan County Emergency Operations Center
• More information on House Bill 2380 – click here

Historic Veto Overrides

In order for bills to become law, they must pass the House and Senate and then be signed into law by the Governor. The Governor also has the option to veto bills, which is usually a deathblow for any legislation. As you may have heard, Governor Inslee vetoed 27 bills on March 11 in response to the Legislature not yet agreeing on modifications for the two-year budgets. This disappointed and angered many of the legislators who worked hard to pass their various policy bills. Once the two-year budget agreements were reached, the Legislature decided to pursue overriding those 27 vetoes. Bills vetoed by the Governor can only be overridden with a two-thirds vote in both chambers – House and Senate. While the Legislature took this action with the Governor’s support, it is a highly unusual step in the legislative process…and an interesting civics lesson as well.

Signing Off from Olympia!

I work hard to represent you and to be your voice at the Capitol. As legislators, we are not perfect and don’t always get things right, but I believe the final budgets approved this week are good for our district and much improved over the previous versions presented.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you!

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

03-30-16: 12th District lawmakers give ‘wrap-up’ update on KPQ Legislative Hotline (audio)

On the KPQ Legislative Hotline with Chris Hansen, Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, Rep. Brad Hawkins and Rep. Cary Condotta discussed the final days and hours of the 2016 special session, in which a supplemental operating budget was passed, and the House and Senate overrode 27 vetoes by Gov. Inslee.

Click here to listen!

Pateros inspired natural disaster school recovery bill signed into law

A bill inspired and requested by the Pateros School District to help school districts restore their facilities following natural disasters was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee today.

House Bill 1003, sponsored by Rep. Brad Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee, will pull state resources and agencies together to develop a model policy to guide school districts following natural disasters, such as wildfires, earthquakes, mudslides, and flooding.

The legislation is in response to the Pateros School District, which suffered more than $2 million of damage to its only school building during the Carlton Complex Fire in 2014. It was also supported by the Arlington and Chehalis School Districts whose communities suffered from landslide and flood natural disasters in recent years.

“I am excited to see this bill become law,” said Hawkins. “My hope is this gives school districts a starting point for what to do, who to call, and what resources are available if there is a natural disaster that directly affects another school’s infrastructure and school year.”

The Carlton Complex Fire’s damage to Pateros School District occurred just weeks before the school year was scheduled to begin. School administrators had to scramble to replace the roof, carpeting, ceiling tiles and more, while obtaining funding, working with insurance, and acquiring a waiver from the state to start classes just five days late.

“In the days following the disaster, Lois told me something like this would be helpful as a starting point for school districts. As a former school board member, I agreed and looked for a way to help statewide,” continued Hawkins.

The bill directs the Washington State School Directors’ Association to provide a model policy for school districts to know who to contact, what to do first, and how to seek financial and informational support at both the state and federal levels. The model policy, once developed by a variety of stakeholders, would be optional for school districts.

House Bill 1003 passed the House 95-1 and the Senate 48-0 before being signed into law by the governor.

Photo: Jon Wyss, Okanogan County Long-Term Recovery Group Chairman, and Lois Davies, Pateros School District Superintendent, testified before the House Education Committee last session in favor of House Bill 1003.

Representative Hawkins releases statement on special session

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am disappointed to share that the Legislature has concluded its 60-day session without reaching an agreement on a final state operating budget. This is frustrating given the solid 2015-17 bipartisan budget approved last session and the need, in my opinion, for only minor modifications to the existing bipartisan budget. In order to continue work to find a compromise, the governor immediately called us into a special session.

As a matter of process, in order to pass an updated budget, the House, Senate, and Governor must all agree on the same budget document. Both the House and the Senate have approved budgets, but their spending priorities differ. When this happens and a special session results, it is common for the House or Senate (or their respective political parties) to blame each other. I refuse to operate that way. As your representative and as a member of this Legislature, I share in the responsibility to approve our state budgets.

My goal, however, is for the Legislature to approve responsible budgets that demonstrate a prudent use of your tax dollars. Sometimes this requires voting “no” on budget proposals with the hope of being presented something better. I voted “no” on the only operating budget presented to the House so far because of its overreliance on the Budget Stabilization Account (also known as the “Rainy Day Fund”).

This House budget, which was narrowly approved on Feb. 25, would transfer nearly $470 million from the Budget Stabilization Account to balance the budget. The Budget Stabilization Account, approved by voters in 2007, grows gradually as the state experiences “extraordinary revenue growth” during good economic times. I believe voters intended it to be used primarily for emergency purposes.

The House-passed budget would tap into this account $190 million for wildfire reimbursement spending, which was indeed an emergency. However, the remaining $280 million of spending from the Budget Stabilization Account are not necessarily emergencies, in my opinion. I am willing to consider utilizing the Budget Stabilization Account for some priorities beyond wildfires, such as the K-12 levy lid deferral (estimated to cost $90 million), but I am less willing to leverage the fund unnecessarily in an off-budget year for other needs.

As your state representative, I hope that my position represents your collective position as well.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state representative!

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

03-11-16 RADIO: Reps. Hawkins and Condotta talk spending, vetoes (audio)

Reps. Brad Hawkins and Cary Condotta talk with KOHO about spending and the budget, as well as the governor’s late night vetoes. Dozens of bills were affected. The 12th District lawmakers, both Republicans from East Wenatchee, shared their ideas on why negotiators have yet to agree on a supplemental spending plan. Condotta indicated that House Democrats are not ready to make a deal, and that the Speaker, Frank Chopp, is not able to get the number of votes necessary to pass the version of the budget that he favors. Hawkins, who declined to point fingers, told listeners that he believes there is a major philosophical divide concerning use of the budget stablilization account, otherwise known as the rainy day fund.