2011-2013 Budget

Sunnyside solon calls for Legislature to get back to work
April 29, 2013
Upon realizing the 105-day 2013 legislative session would end without the passage of a state budget, 15th District Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, made this statement: “I believe it’s terribly shameful that the Legislature couldn’t get a budget out after nearly four months, especially since the state is receiving $2 billion... Read More...
Comcast Newsmakers with Sen. Jim Honeyford
February 27, 2013
Comcast Newsmakers Western Washington is hosted by Sabrina Register. In this edition, Sabrina interviews Senator Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, and chair of the Senate Capital Budget Committee, about school construction, school safety and the 2013 legislative session. Read More...
House, Senate agree on reforms; Legislature ends marathon session
April 12, 2012
After 90 nearly consecutive days of activity in the Washington State Legislature, lawmakers finally came to an agreement early Wednesday morning that led to the passage of a balanced, sustainable state budget. The reforms our Senate bipartisan coalition was able to get into the final version of the budget made... Read More...
An update on the special session
March 22, 2012
The 2012 regular legislative session ended March 8, but unfortunately the Legislature was not able to accomplish its primary task of passing a balanced budget. On day 54 of the 60-day session, the Senate still had not voted on a plan to fill the state’s $1.1 billion budget hole. While... Read More...
Budget negotiations continue
March 22, 2012
The $2-billion-deficit budget that the House proposed on the last day of the regular session was a non-starter for the bipartisan Senate coalition committed to reform. We presented a responsible, sustainable budget from which we could have begun negotiations. The majority in the House, however, chose not to even allow... Read More...
Bills held hostage, Ag Alert and more…
March 22, 2012
Another story you may have heard about is the governor’s threat to veto bills unless the Legislature reaches a budget compromise. While the goal may be worthwhile, I believe she is unnecessarily hurting the people of Washington. There are dozens of bills to help people waiting to become law that... Read More...
An update on the status of my bills
March 22, 2012
Senate Bill 5292 – Exempting certain structures that are constructed and maintained by irrigation districts and port districts from the definition of critical areas. This is my bill from last session which passed the Senate on February 8. It would essentially clarify that the drainage side of irrigation districts are... Read More...
Critical access hospitals threatened
February 29, 2012
Similar to last week’s House Democrat operating budget proposal, today’s Senate Democrat proposal would cut $11 million from most of our state’s critical access hospitals. I say most because I’m told there is one critical access hospital – in a Democrat district – that will not suffer any cuts. All... Read More...
Senate majority releases budget proposal
February 29, 2012
With the state facing a $1.1 billion budget deficit right now, Democrats in the Senate released their version of the supplemental operating budget for 2011-13 on Tuesday. Their proposal spends $30.8 billion overall, leaving $369 million in reserves ($104 million unrestricted and $265 million in the rainy day fund). Their 2012... Read More...
Only nine days left in the regular session
February 29, 2012
There are now only nine days left until the end of the 2012 regular legislative session, meaning we’re in the home stretch to the finish line. This is about the time when things get very hectic and fast-paced here in the Legislature, as both parties and both chambers maneuver to... Read More...