Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The 2016 legislative session began today, and I am back in Olympia to serve you. In accordance with the state constitution, regular legislative sessions begin on the second Monday in January each year. Each legislative cycle and budget is two years. In odd-numbered years – the “budget year” – the legislative session is scheduled for 105 days. In even-numbered years – the “supplemental budget year” the legislature session is scheduled for only 60 days.

Starting with a strong bipartisan budget

The 2015-17 operating budget approved last year is strongly supported by both sides of the aisle. Major adjustments to the budget are not expected, but the legislature will be making some updates and corrections, which is the intent of the supplemental budget process.

The $38 billion two-year state operating budget funds the general operations of state government, including education, health care, public safety and social services. This budget includes an additional $2.9 billion for K-12 education, and decreases class sizes in grades K-3, expands full-day kindergarten. The current budget provided the largest increase in Washington state education spending in more than 30 years and cuts college tuition for the first time since the 1970s.

After another difficult summer of wildfires, I do expect the legislature to make updates for wildfire funding. I will make sure to keep you updated on our wildfire-related discussions this session. Thankfully, our area has received significantly more rain and snow this winter than in the past couple years. I hope this continues so that next summer is not as dry and devastating as the ones in our recent past. My continued thoughts and prayers are with those families that are still recovering from what we experienced.

It is truly an honor to serve as your State Representative. If you have any questions or comments, please contact my office anytime at (360) 786-7832, toll-free at (800) 562-6000, or by email at brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov. If you are planning a trip to Olympia and would like to visit the Capitol Building, I would be happy to connect with your group when you are here.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in Olympia.

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

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,As your representative in the Washington State Legislature, I send occasional email updates designed to keep you informed about the issues being debated in Olympia that may impact our community and Washington state. If you received this message in error or do not want to receive email updates from me, simply click the link below to unsubscribe from my email list.
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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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am very saddened by the recent wildfires in Chelan and the surrounding communities. After the one-year anniversary of the Carlton Complex Fire last month and the Sleepy Hollow Fire in Wenatchee in late June, my hope was that the fire destruction would end. Unfortunately, the recent dry conditions, high winds and lightning strikes have proven to be a terrible mix for the Lake Chelan area and other areas in Douglas and Okanogan counties.

My family’s thoughts and prayers continue to go out to those who have lost homes and businesses and to the courageous first responders who have been working so hard to protect these and other structures. Following tragedies, I often travel to affected areas to attend community meetings and to connect with those who have been impacted. I have also been discussing the ongoing firefighting effort with sheriff deputies, firefighters and other emergency personnel. When you see them, please thank them for their service.

Many times the very people affected by these tragedies are the ones who boost my spirits. This was the case when Gov. Inslee, Mrs. Inslee and I met with Brett and Beverly LaMar (shown in the photo) who own Lake Chelan Building Supply. Their Chelan store was completely destroyed. Their optimism and eagerness to rebuild and to come back stronger was inspiring. I am also inspired by the Chelan PUD, Frontier Communications, and other utility crews working tirelessly in difficult conditions to restore services to our communities. Members of the Washington National Guard have also been mobilized to the area, which is appreciated. The people of North Central Washington have endured a great deal in recent months but have remained courageous, strong and resilient.

As the fires continue to burn, I urge everyone to stay safe and to follow the guidance of the trained personnel assisting us. Once the smoke eventually clears, the rebuilding will begin. There will certainly be current and longer-term economic impacts from these fires. For communities like Chelan whose economy is so connected to tourism, my hope is for people across our great state to visit Chelan this fall and experience its beautiful lake – and amazing people.

My prayers go to all those impacted.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

For updated fire information, I encourage you to visit these websites or call these phone numbers:

• Updated information and maps of Chelan Complex fires
• A recent map of the Chelan vicinity fires – with uncontrolled and completed fire lines
• Updated information and maps of Wolverine Fire
• Updated information and maps of Okanogan Complex fires
  TONIGHT, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m.: Community meeting at East Side Park Dance Pavilion, Stampede Grounds
• Information on all active fires in Washington state
• Okanogan County Emergency Information: (509) 422-7348
• Chelan County Emergency Management: (509) 667-6863
• Wenatchee Valley Humane Society can board pets: (509) 662-9577
• Information on how to get and give help from The Wenatchee World
• Information on the Chelan Valley Fire Relief Fund
• Red Cross shelters
• Chelan County Emergency Management on Facebook
• Follow #ChelanComplex, #wawildfire, or the Department of Natural Resources on Twitter

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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

After a 105-day regular session and follow-up special sessions, the Legislature has finally adjourned for the year. While I am disappointed it took so long to find an agreement on the operating budget, the final outcome is positive. The two political parties and legislative chambers came together in a bipartisan way to do the right thing for Washington students, teachers, employees and families.

Operating budget – Tax proposals dropped and priorities funded

The House passed the operating budget by a vote of 90 “yes” to 8 “no.” (I voted “yes.”) This is the largest vote margin for an operating budget since the 1980s. Despite proposals for large tax increases on businesses, capital gains, and carbon, these tax increases are not included in the final budget.

Education funding now accounts for 48 percent of the state budget – the largest portion dedicated to education in decades. The budget provides funding for K-3 class-size reduction and expansion of full-day kindergarten, as well as increased funding for additional materials, supplies and operating costs. School employees will also be receiving a cost of living adjustment. These investments truly help make education the paramount duty of our state.

In addition, the budget provides overdue funding for mental health, which is not only our moral obligation, but also helps address many public safety challenges. State employees will also receive cost of living adjustments in this budget. Also, for the first time in Washington’s history, we’re actually cutting tuition for college students. This will help thousands of families across our state to better afford a higher education.

Capital budget – investments for our communities

The Legislature also passed a bipartisan capital budget, which provides for infrastructure improvements in our state. (I voted “yes.”) The budget invests in many projects throughout our state and district based on a competitive process. It includes funding for additional school classroom space across our state. The 12th District legislative team worked diligently during this session to also include funding for infrastructure in communities affected by the 2014 Carlton Complex Fire. I am very thankful that the following capital projects have been approved:

• Pateros water system ($1.84 million)
• Brewster reservoir replacement ($1.25 million)
• Twisp Civic Center ($500,000)

Transportation tax package

Having an effective transportation system is critical to our state and local economy, but legislators need to demonstrate a responsible use of taxpayer funds when it comes to transportation spending.

The $16 billion transportation tax package the Legislature passed included additional vehicle weight fees (which you pay with your annual car tabs) and an approximate 12-cent per gallon gas-tax increase to bring total state and federal taxes to 68 cents per gallon. (I voted “no.”) Simply put, I think this is too much for drivers in rural areas who utilize heavier duty vehicles and travel long distances.

I believe lawmakers could have developed a smaller, more reasonable list of projects that would have worked better for taxpayers. Also, our district will pay much more than we will get in return with this new tax package. Based on an analysis developed with non-partisan research staff, our district will pay approximately $250 million in taxes and fees for $100 million in projects. In essence, this is roughly $2.50 paid for every $1 received.

Thoughts and prayers with Wenatchee

As I head back to the Wenatchee Valley for the rest of the year, I do so with a heavy heart for the downtown businesses impacted by the wildfire and the families in Broadview who have lost their homes. My thoughts and prayers have been with you. I want to extend my gratitude to our first responders who courageously battled the fire and the local leaders who have also put in long hours in response. I am confident we will be able to help rebuild as a community.

It’s an honor to represent you in Olympia.

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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I’m currently in Olympia, where the Legislature expects to approve the final state budgets today and tomorrow. While I am here representing you, my thoughts are back in my hometown of Wenatchee where fires are still burning. My thoughts and prayers go out to the first responders courageously battling the fires as well as the families who have sadly lost their homes.

I have been in contact with city, county, and state officials today and have a meeting this afternoon with Governor Inslee. The Washington State Military Department has shared the information below, which can be reassuring in a time like this:

• Fire mobilization of state resources was requested and approved by the governor.
• Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant was requested and approved last night. This will help reimburse firefighting costs from the beginning of the incident.
• The state Emergency Operations Center is fully activated.
• The Washington State Patrol has provided teams to assist in evacuations with traffic control and the Fire Marshall’s office is overseeing the fire mobilization of state resources.
• State Emergency Management has coordinated local Emergency Management reinforcing personnel to assist local emergency manager in Wenatchee with five personnel that are in transit to Wenatchee.
• Two Blackhawks from the Washington National Guard will be flying fire missions in support of Department of Natural Resources firefighting.
• One UH-72 Lakota is deploying from the National Guard to do aviation reconnaissance. This aircraft is based at Fairchild Air Force Base but is pre-positioned at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
• Washington state personnel are activated with equipment to refuel aircraft.
• The state Washington Joint Operations is activated with personnel to support the response.
• Department of Natural Resources has a Type 2 Incident Management Team on site and performing firefighting operations.
• The governor’s Eastern Washington Regional Representative Melissa Carpenter will be on site for extended days.
• Department of Ecology personnel have been activated for any hazardous materials work.

These situations remind us all of the resilience of our communities as well as the generosity and support shown during times of need. The Wenatchee World provided a great list of ways you can help if you’re not affected and resources if you may be affected by the fires. Please stay safe.

While here in Olympia finalizing our state budgets, my thoughts and prayers will continue for my beloved hometown of Wenatchee.

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