Jim Honeyford

News and content from Sen. Jim Honeyford, 15th District, Sunnyside.

Protecting water quality along with agruculture
February 07, 2014
Agriculture is a $49 billion component of the economy of Washington state. In recent years, more and more environmental overstepping has inhibited the ability of agriculture to grow as an industry. There is now a concern that the state’s non-point water quality regulations can impair the agricultural sector’s economic viability... Read More...
Honeyford bill would spare honeybee industry from sting of B&O tax
January 30, 2014
The Senate Agriculture, Water and Rural Economic Development Committee today considered a bill aimed at putting more buzz into the state’s honeybee industry. Senate Bill 6402, sponsored by Sunnyside Sen. Jim Honeyford, would exempt honeybee products and services from the state’s onerous business and occupation tax by defining them as... Read More...
Two weeks down, six to go
January 27, 2014
The Legislature has now completed the first two weeks of the 2014 session and we’re well underway debating bill proposals and negotiating with our colleagues. Since this is a short (60-day) session, the timeframe to accomplish what we need to do is reduced and everything seems to be getting done... Read More...
Keeping Yakima Valley School open a priority for longtime area lawmaker
January 23, 2014
To help protect the vulnerable residents who call the Yakima Valley School their home, Sen. Jim Honeyford has proposed a bill that would allow the residential care facility to begin admitting new patients again. Senate Bill 5962, considered by the Senate Health Care Committee today, would permit the facility to... Read More...
Honeyford bill aims to keep invasive species out of Washington’s waters
January 21, 2014
They’re coming to wreak havoc on Washington’s waterways unless state officials can stop them now.That’s the message Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, conveyed to the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee Tuesday as he spoke in favor of Senate Bill 6040. It’s his bill to help the state Department of Fish... Read More...
2014 Session Begins with high hopes, challenges
January 13, 2014
Today began the 60-day legislative session for 2014, and it also marks the first session we’ve seen in a long time that is beginning without a deficit to reconcile. That’s due to the balanced, reform-focused budget proposed and passed by the Majority Coalition Caucus in 2013. Last year we promised to work on... Read More...
Honeyford receives Water Statesman Award for contributions to water issues
December 09, 2013
After addressing the Washington State Water Resources Association at its annual conference in Spokane last Friday morning, Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, was presented with the group’s Water Statesman Award. The association, comprising irrigation-district representatives from across Washington, confers the honor only when members believe it is deserved. “I was completely... Read More...
Honeyford named 2013 Legislator of the Year by Washington State Farm Bureau
December 05, 2013
Amid a chorus of applause Wednesday, Sen. Jim Honeyford accepted the Washington State Farm Bureau’s Legislator of the Year award for an unprecedented third time. The Sunnyside Republican received the award previously in 2003 and again in 2007. “It’s always an honor to receive an award, but I’m particularly humbled... Read More...
Forming the Aviation Caucus
November 22, 2013
As you know, I’m a proud member of the Civil Air Patrol. One thing I’m particularly excited about is the formation of the Aviation Caucus at the Washington State Legislature and the impact it will have on public policy and in the aerospace industry as a whole. I was asked... Read More...
Sunnyside Senator to push for expanding tax breaks for businesses statewide
November 09, 2013
After approving two tax-preference bills designed to bolster the state’s aerospace industry, longtime state Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Yakima, said he’s looking forward to continuing the trend of growing the state’s business community by offering tax incentives. “The governor called us into a special session in order to pass two bills... Read More...