2011-2013 Budget

Update on the budget and agriculture
February 22, 2012
We’re now about two-thirds of the way through the 2012 regular legislative session and are on the downhill slope toward the March 8 deadline. I’m slightly more optimistic that we may not have another special session due to the fact that most of the budget proposals that need to be... Read More...
A new life for Washington’s historic properties
February 15, 2012
The Washington State Senate on Tuesday afternoon unanimously passed Senate Bill 6523, which would allow private parties to lease and make improvements to state-owned properties under certain circumstances. I introduced the bill after several businesses indicated an interest in restoring a historic building on state land. There are many historic... Read More...
Gay marriage now legal in Washington
February 13, 2012
On Monday, the governor signed Senate Bill 6239 which legalizes same-sex marriages in Washington. Hopefully the matter will now remain behind us and we can focus on the more important issues facing our state, such as reconciling a $1.4 billion budget gap before the 60-day legislative session comes to an... Read More...
Same-sex marriage vote disappointing
February 01, 2012
I am disappointed that a majority of the Senate voted to abandon the traditional definition of marriage and concern about religious freedoms that are being threatened by the Senate’s passage tonight of Senate Bill 6239. This issue should be decided by the people of our state. I supported an amendment... Read More...
Revenue forecast puts Washington in the red, special session looms
October 06, 2011
The revenue forecast on September 15 put the state’s 2011-13 operating budget 1.4 billion dollars in the red. It looks like once again the state will run short in meeting its funding promises. Majority party leaders have said an all-cuts budget is unacceptable – leading to the very real prospect... Read More...
Reforms, restraint in new state budget earn my support
May 26, 2011
The state Senate voted tonight to adopt a state operating budget for 2011-13, ending months of negotiation that helped push the Legislature into a 30-day special session. I joined a bipartisan majority in support of the spending plan, saying it offers a responsible combination of reforms and spending discipline that will... Read More...
My oath of office and Senate committee assignments
January 11, 2011
I took the oath of office for a fourth four-year Senate term today as the Legislature convened for its 2011 regular session at the Capitol. The session is scheduled for 105 days. I will continue as Republican leader on the Senate Environment, Water and Energy Committee. Even though state government’s... Read More...