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Dear Neighbor:
The session is over and you have probably heard by now that the House passed the 2009-2011 Operating Budget last Friday night. After literally hundreds of hours of testimony, research and conversations with constituents, a final agreement was reached earlier in the week.
When I came to the Capitol fifteen weeks ago, I knew we were facing an unprecedented budget shortfall. I examined the state budget carefully, knowing how each cut would affect so many in our state. After many difficult, often painful decisions, we have built a responsible budget that will protect the most vulnerable and preserve essential programs.
It’s a tough budget for tough times. Nearly every item in it takes a cut, but they are cuts with a conscience.
By that I mean we kept in mind it isn’t programs that we cut, it’s people. People losing their health care, people losing their opportunity for a college education, people losing the safety net they have found themselves in need of as our economy has taken a turn for the worse.
Knowing that, we worked closely with stakeholders and other experts as we crafted this budget. For example, we didn’t just take the red pen to the courts and criminal justice system; we sat down with police officers, sheriffs, prosecutors, and victim’s advocates.
We asked them, “If you had to make these cuts, where would you do it to ensure the least harm?” And we followed their advice.
While it has been necessary to identify ways to save money, I have also been mindful that cuts alone will not grow our economy. So, this is also a budget that looks beyond the current downturn, laying the groundwork for job creation and investments in infrastructure. If we expect to recover and prosper, we have to take action. Here is the actual budget bill for 2009-11 operating budget. Here are the 2009-11 operating budget highlights. Here is the 2009-11 operating budget agency detail. We were very happy that after weeks of hard work, we were able to keep the Naselle Youth Camp open and save the jobs that are so important to our district. And late this weekend, we saw the passage of the bills necessary to bring the 520 pontoon project to the Harbor. Update on my bills – I’d like to share some of the work I have done. Some are measures scheduled to be signed into law. Others are still “works in progress.” Since the Washington Legislature works in a two-year cycle, any of my bills that didn’t make it through the process this time will be eligible for action next year.
You can go here to see the bills I sponsored this year and check their status.
Final Report – There is still a lot of information to share with you. Over the next few weeks these updates will cover several significant issues that we addressed this session, including health care, education, economic development, the environment and the budget. As always, please contact my office if you have questions or comments. It is always a pleasure to hear from you and I watched your emails and phone calls closely in the final days of the session. Your voice keeps our democracy working.
Until next time,
Brian
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