Tag Archives: 2021 legislative session

Hawkins receives “Legislator of the Year” honor from state tow-truck association

Sen. Brad Hawkins has been honored for his efforts to help the state’s tow-truck industry.

The Towing and Recovery Association of Washington recently announced that Hawkins was selected for its 2021 Lawmaker of the Year award.

“I’m very grateful that the towing association has recognized me as their Legislator of the Year,” said Hawkins.

During the 2021 legislative session, Hawkins prime-sponsored Senate Bill 5406, a measure requested by Randy Houston, who owns Randy’s Auto Parts and Towing and provides towing services throughout the 12th District, which Hawkins represents. The bill would help tow-truck operators gain payment if called out by the Washington State Patrol or local law-enforcement agencies to clear a vehicle due to negligence.

“Tow-truck operators are small-business owners who are being called on by law-enforcement officials to do important work to help keep our roadways clear, but they sometimes get stuck absorbing all the costs if drivers or insurance companies don’t pay them,” said Hawkins.

The bill would authorize a registered tow-truck operator, dispatched by law enforcement or another state or local agency, to bring a civil action to recover unpaid charges for vehicle recovery, impound and storage from a person who was operating a motor vehicle on a public highway in an illegal or negligent manner.

SB 5406 was approved almost unanimously by the Senate and by the House Transportation Committee but did not gain a vote in time by the full House of Representatives. Hawkins is optimistic that the bill will be approved by the Legislature and become law in 2022.

“We did important work on Senate Bill 5406 this year, and I think we can get that bill across the finish line next session,” said Hawkins.

(PHOTO CAPTION: Randy’s Towing helps pull a stranded vehicle out of a river off Highway 2. Senate Bill 5406 would help tow-truck operators gain payment for keeping public roadways clear if called out by law enforcement agencies to clear a vehicle due to negligence.)

Hawkins to continue as lead Republican on Senate K-12 education committee

Sen. Brad Hawkins will continue serving as ranking Republican on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee when the Legislature begins its 2021 session on Jan. 11.

Hawkins has served on the education panel since joining the Senate in 2017. Prior to joining the Legislature in 2013, Hawkins served for 10 years on two local school boards, the North Central Educational Service District Board and the Eastmont School Board. In addition, Hawkins’ wife is a local teacher and they have two sons in public schools.

“I’m looking forward to serving again this session as the Senate’s education committee’s ranking Republican member. Our school system has definitely had its share of challenges lately with the COVID pandemic and I believe the experiences I bring to the table can help shape good state policy,” says Hawkins.

“Senator Hawkins brings helpful experience and leadership to the education committee in his position as its ranking member,” said 41st District Sen. Lisa Wellman, who serves as the committee chair. “With children in school and from a different part of the state, his perspective provides added value. It will be particularly helpful that we have such a solid working relationship as we tackle the challenges of COVID recovery for our students and the economy.”

Hawkins also will return to the Senate State Government and Elections Committee. His new committee assignment will be with the Senate Transportation Committee, which addresses transportation issues impacting Washington and crafts and passes a two-year state transportation budget.

“The Transportation Committee was one that I requested because of my hydrogen vehicles legislation and the unique transportation needs of our region, so I’m glad it worked out,” says Hawkins.

He added, “I’ve always considered myself a strong supporter of clean transportation options, preservation of our roadways, and for construction projects important to the 12th District. The Legislature will likely be developing the next statewide transportation package within the next two years, so I look forward to being at the table to advocate for projects like Confluence Parkway across the Wenatchee River Bridge, a future interchange in Douglas County near the Odabashian Bridge, and repairs to aging bridges in the Methow Valley.”

“I look forward to working with Senator Hawkins on the Transportation Committee next session,” said 14th District Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima and ranking Republican on the committee. “Our districts have similar transportation needs and I’ve enjoyed working with him in the past on important transportation projects. He is a tenacious advocate for his district’s projects, which I appreciate.”

The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to last 105 days.

(The photo at top shows Sen. Curtis King and Sen. Brad Hawkins sharing a laugh together last legislative session. They will serve together next year on the Senate Transportation Committee. King is the committee’s ranking Republican member and worked closely with Hawkins in 2017 to secure funding for the West Cashmere Bridge.)

Hawkins encouraged by improved state revenue forecast

State Sen. Brad Hawkins is encouraged by the state’s updated revenue projection released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

The council’s November revenue forecast estimates revenue for the upcoming state budget cycle. The outlook was adjusted up with an increase of $634 million for the current 2019-2021 biennium and an increase of $328 million for the 2021-2023 biennium.

“This continues to be encouraging news,” Hawkins said. “While the forecast doesn’t take into account any potential economic impacts from Governor Inslee’s most recent COVID restrictions, it does demonstrate to lawmakers that balancing the upcoming budget without tax increases is certainly possible.”

State economists are forecasting a projected budget deficit of nearly $3 billion over the next four years. Hawkins points out that the current balance of the state’s Budget Stabilization Account, often referred to as the “rainy day fund,” is healthy $2 billion.

“As bad as the COVID pandemic has been, this forecast shows that our state can achieve a balanced budget for the next two years without tax increases by utilizing our rainy day fund and making some modest and measured reductions in programs,” Hawkins said.

“This needs to be said so that if and when new taxes are proposed, people don’t mistakenly think they are necessary to balance our budget,” Hawkins added. “I personally think – after all that people and businesses have endured – that tax increases are the last thing lawmakers should be considering in the coming years.”

The next state revenue forecast will be issued in March 2021.