Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Hello from Olympia!

Special session continues

We are now on day 17 of the 30-day special session without an agreement on the operating and capital budgets. Negotiations continue with budget and legislative leaders and House members back in Olympia today to begin to move parts of the operating budget forward. Many bills will accompany the overall 2013-15 operating budget and it is good news we are starting to move on some of this legislation.

My goals for the special session remain the same as my goals for the regular session: craft a fiscally-responsible budget which funds education first, protects our most vulnerable and preserves public safety without tax increases.

The special session is about one question: Should the operating budget include around $1 billion in tax increases? The operating budget can be balanced with existing revenue, and the budget which came out of the Senate proved it. An important number to remember in the budget debate is $2 billion. The state is on track to collect $2 billion more revenue in the 2013-15 budget cycle compared to the current two-year cycle that ends on June 30. And that number will grow if our economy improves.

12th District office to open

In the coming weeks my legislative assistant Taylor and I will be opening a 12^th District office in Wenatchee. I am very excited about the opportunity to serve my constituents in the interim with this District office. In the coming weeks I will provide more details about the location and hours of my District office, so stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

Olympia Office (January-April)
122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

District Office (May-December)
11 Spokane Street, Suite 205A | Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 662-5733
 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Special Session Update

As you may know after adjournment of the 2013 regular legislative session, the legislature was called back into special session beginning on May 13. Since the start of the special session, primarily leadership and budget negotiators have been working in Olympia, but this week I came back to the Capitol to attend the signing of my first piece of legislation.

Transparency in Government Spending

Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 2058, which I sponsored, into law on Tuesday. The legislation will promote more transparency in government spending by leveraging existing government data to create a user-friendly online map which will display capital and transportation spending by legislative district and county. The statewide capital and transportation budget expenditures are over $12 billion per biennium. I believe this information should be more accessible to taxpayers.

The bill is a joint venture by myself and fellow freshman legislator Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, and was a crash course in the way legislation is developed, amended and finally approved.

Bipartisan Teamwork

Representative Riccelli and I worked hard on this idea all session. We learned plenty together about the twists and turns of the legislative process along the way. This common sense idea became law because of hard work, bipartisan cooperation and freshmen optimism.

The bill goes into effect on July 28, 2013. Upon signing the bill into law, Gov. Inslee said “I appreciate the great bipartisan work that got this bill to my desk by Representatives Hawkins and Riccelli and others.”

This was a very special moment for me as your legislator. I want to help make your government more accessible to you. This bill reminded me of just how honored I am to serve as your Representative. I will continue to keep you updated on the special session and budget negotiations in future email updates.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

Olympia Office (January-April)
122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

District Office (May-December)
11 Spokane Street, Suite 205A | Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 662-5733
 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On April 28, the last day of the regularly scheduled 2013 legislative session, Governor Inslee announced there would be a special session called to order on Monday, May 13.

The reason a special session was called is because the legislature was not able to complete its work in the 105 days of regular session. The main sticking point between in the House and Senate is the operating budget, the roadmap for where state revenue will be directed for the 2013-15 biennium, beginning on July 1, 2013.

This special session comes down to two very different approaches for the state operating budget. We will have $2 billion more in revenue for the 2013-15 budget cycle. House Republicans budget principles have not changed: prioritizing K-12 education, providing services for our most vulnerable, preserving public safety, ensuring sustainability, and not raising taxes.

We don’t yet know what the special session will look like, but I know what the priorities are in a budget which would earn my vote. I look forward to keeping you updated in the coming weeks.

It is an honor to serve as your Representative.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Hello, and welcome to the last week of the regularly scheduled 2013 legislative session. This week most of the action has been behind the scenes as House and Senate budget writers and leadership work to try and find the middle ground in two vastly different budget proposals.

As I explained last week, both budgets have passed out of their respective chambers. The Senate budget received bipartisan support, and the House budget passed on a party line vote. There is a lot of ground between the two proposals, but I hope that the final budget will protect taxpayers in our state by not raising taxes on struggling families in the 12th District and across the state.

Many in Olympia are talking about if and when there will be a special session. I think most are in agreement that there is not enough time to finish budget negotiations by the scheduled final day of the 2013 legislative session, April 28.

There are many rumors about when legislators will begin a special session. What we do know is that there are two options for starting a special session. Legislators can call themselves into a special session with a two-thirds vote of the two chambers. Under this option there is no time limit on how long the session will last. The more likely option is that the governor can call legislators together for a 30-day period. Often under this option, most of the legislators return home until budget negotiators who have stayed in Olympia come to agreement—this is called a “rolling special session.”

When legislators return to Olympia, it can take approximately one week to pass the negotiated budget and the various bills associated with it.

I will keep you posted on what happens in the coming weeks.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Representative.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Hello from Olympia, and welcome to the 14th week of the 2013 legislative process.

Apple Blossom Royalty comes to Olympia!

Last Friday, the 2013 Apple Blossom Royal Court came to visit the Capitol. The visit has become a tradition for the royalty and serves as an opportunity for the young women to learn about the legislative process, meet with state elected officials and tour the Capitol grounds.

The day began with Apple Blossom Queen Emily Abbott and Princesses Madi Still and Maggie Chvilicek meeting with Rep. Condotta, Sen. Parlette and myself.

Next, the royalty were honored by a resolution in the Senate chamber and introduced to members of the House Republican Caucus.

The rest of their day included a tour of the Temple of Justice with Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen and a visit with Governor Jay Inslee.

The Court also spent time with Secretary of State Kim Wyman, and during their visit all three young women were pre-registered to vote.

It’s always nice to have visitors from home, and I was honored to teach them a little about what I have learned in my first term in office representing the 12th District.

Budgeting process moves forward

Also on Friday, the House voted on the 2013-2015 Operating budget proposal put forward by House Democrats. This budget passed on a near party-line vote.
I voted “no” on this budget primarily because it raises taxes on struggling families by nearly $1.3 billion, depletes the rainy day fund and leaves very little in reserves. In fact, the amount left in reserves, just over $300 million, is only enough to keep state government running for 7.5 days.

It is clear that the House Democratic budget was not a serious attempt at compromise. Their budget mirrors the governor’s “budget outline” closely.

By contrast, the Senate Majority Caucus’ initial approach represents many of the same principles and priorities that House Republicans have for the state. The Senate budget focuses on reform and new investments in K-12 education, funds other important priorities and makes state government more efficient. You can learn more about the Senate budget here.

I am hopeful that the Senate budget will serve as a model for what is possible; and that both chambers and the governor can find an agreeable compromise.

However, this compromise must not be at the cost of responsibly educating our children or asking more money of taxpayers. The House Republicans have shown, and the Senate has also demonstrated, that a budget that funds our priorities without new taxes is possible.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Last Wednesday we reached another cutoff date, the second and final “fiscal cutoff” of the 2013 legislative session. It was the last day for committees to consider and pass bills from the opposite chamber. Most committee action will be wrapped up and our focus for the remaining three weeks of the session will be on the House floor, considering and debating Senate bills that have passed their respective committees.

The next major deadline is April 17. That is the date all bills from the opposite chambers must pass from the House and Senate. The exceptions are bills necessary to implement the budget.

Speaking of budgets, we have now seen budget proposals from both the Majority Coalition in the Senate and the House Democrats. Last Friday the Senate approved its operating budget proposal. It would reform and make new investments in K-12 education, fund other important priorities and make state government more efficient. It would not rely on new tax increases – something Governor Inslee proposed last week.

Democrats in the Washington State House of Representatives unveiled their operating budget proposal on Wednesday. In contrast, the plan includes over $1.22 billion in new and extended taxes, depletes the state’s rainy day fund and leaves less in reserves.

Below is a comparison of the three budget proposals we have heard so far:

I hope the bipartisan work in the Senate will carry over in the negotiations with the House as we work towards a final budget document. We can, and should, finish on time this legislative session scheduled for April 28.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

VIDEO UPDATE: Click to watch my video update.

This week I had two very special visitors from back home spend time with me in Olympia. Bryson Cornehl and Makenna Donaldson from Eastmont Junior High (pictured with me below) served as legislative pages in the House, where they navigated the many buildings on the Capitol campus and delivered messages and documents to legislators and staff. In addition they attended page school every day to better understand the operations and actions of the Legislature. It is always nice to have visitors from back home, and especially wonderful to see young people so interested in state government.

Budget season in Olympia

The cherry blossoms have welcomed us into spring in Olympia, and the change in seasons also means we are getting close to the scheduled last day of the 2013 legislative session, April 28, known around here as “Sine Die.” This means we will finally begin to hear 2013 operating budget proposals.

The operating budgets we pass in the legislature are planned for two years, or a “biennium”. Each biennium begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. So right now the state is operating under the budget passed in the 2011 legislative session until June 30th of this year, 2013.

The budget we will be considering in the coming weeks will be the budget which goes into effect on July 1, 2013 and sees the state through June 30, 2015.

The decisions we make in the coming weeks are very important, and must be fiscally responsible to make sure we put Washington on the best track. Every legislator here has ideas about what an Operating Budget should and shouldn’t contain, but here are some of my priorities when considering the Budget:

• We must prioritize K-12 education funding to meet the expectations of the state constitution and the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision.

• Our proposal funds $15.1 billion to K-12 schools, which is up from $13.6 billion in the 2011-2013 budget.
• Make sure our most vulnerable citizens are taken care of, including our developmentally disabled, our elderly and children in our foster programs.
• Protect public safety by making sure our law enforcement officers have the proper tools when defending our communities and families.

We can and must do all this within existing revenues. Our state budget should protect taxpayers by not containing any proposed tax increases. We have $2 billion more coming in next biennium than we did last biennium. The legislature must only spend within our means, and we can prioritize education, protect our most vulnerable and preserve public safety within existing revenue.

I will keep you updated on budget proposals in the coming weeks. As always, it is an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Hello from Olympia, where we are in the 11th week of the 2013 legislative session. I’d like to say a special thank you to those of you who participated in the telephone town hall on Wednesday, March 20. Nearly 5,000 constituents participated on the call. Senator Parlette, Representative Condotta, and I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss issues with everyone. Thank you for being actively involved in your government!

Quarterly revenue forecast released

On March 20, the quarterly state revenue forecast was released. This is the thermometer that takes the temperature of our economic climate, and guides the Operating Budget proposals we will hear in the coming weeks. It estimates state revenue for the next two years.

Overall, this is probably one of the more positive forecasts we have seen in some time, but our state economy is still struggling to recover.

The general fund deficit is projected to be $1.2 to $1.3 billion. Additionally, the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision could require $1 billion in new education funding.

House Republicans Introduce Fund Education First Budget

Last week, Washington House Republicans unveiled our Fund Education First budget PSHB 1057 in a news conference at the Capitol. The stand-alone, K-12 education budget would: meet the expectations of the state constitution and state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision and protect taxpayers by not raising taxes.

PSHB 1057 would dedicate $15.1 billion to K-12 education in the 2013-15 budget cycle, which is an increase from the previous budget (the amount for 2011-13 is $13.6 billion). This increases the percentage of the operating budget allocated to K-12 education from 44 percent in the 2011-13 budget cycle to 46 percent for 2013-15.

What’s next?

In the coming weeks we will begin to hear other budget proposals, first from the Majority Coalition Caucus in the Senate and then from House Democrats. Governor Inslee will propose what he is calling “budget priorities”. From these four budget proposals, we must arrive at one budget in order to complete our work by April 28.

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your state Representative and thank you for the opportunity to represent you here in Olympia.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Hello from Olympia, where we are in the tenth week of the 2013 legislative session. Having just passed a major cutoff point in the session, I wanted to share some video clips on House Chamber floor action.

House Bill 1252 moves through the legislative process

In this clip, I offer an amendment on House Bill 1252 and am speaking on the adoption of the amendment. The original bill, which I cosponsored, would establish a K-12 online professional development project to make online professional development modules for teachers and principals available on demand and at no cost to any educator who chooses to use them.

Prior to the House vote on the bill, some of my colleagues expressed interest in having evaluations at the end of each online course. Without the evaluations, many of my colleagues would likely vote against the bill, even though they liked our original concept. I worked closely with the Democratic sponsor of the bill, the Vice-Chair of the House Education Committee, to craft an acceptable amendment. My House floor amendment was adopted and incorporated into the bill.

I then spoke on final passage of the bill, to encourage other members to vote in favor of the legislation. As I mentioned in my floor speech, the willingness of legislators to come together to agree on a bipartisan amendment made the bill better and resulted in a very good outcome. HB 1252 passed by a margin of 92-5. This shows what can be done when both sides are willing to work together! Watch the final passage here.

The entire floor action on HB 1252 can be viewed here.

The remainder of the 2013 legislative session

In the coming weeks, we move back into our policy committees to hear the bills passed by the Senate. I am interested to begin hearing the bills passed from the Senate’s newly formed Majority Coalition Caucus. I’ll keep you updated in the coming weeks.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent you here in Olympia!

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/hawkins

122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000