Transparency is an often-used buzzword in government, but what does transparency look like? What are the actions required to meet the standard of transparency? How can we, as government officials, improve public confidence that we are serving you, and not ourselves? As your legislator, I'm advocating for a renewed look...

Rep. Brad Hawkins is already preparing for the upcoming 2014 legislative session by introducing his first bills. Legislators may "pre-file" legislation starting Dec. 2 for the upcoming session; Hawkins introduced three bills for consideration this week.