Legislature

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...
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...
Second special session begins with no budget agreement
June 13, 2013
On Tuesday, the Washington State Legislature adjourned Sine Die (it’s Latin for “without a day” and pronounced “SIGH-nee-DYE”) for the second time this year. Yesterday, we began the second special session of 2013 – our third session of the year – with only one priority: pass a state budget. While... Read More...
Budget negotiations continue as Senate mourns lost colleague
June 08, 2013
The special session has kicked into a higher gear as we approach June 11th, the 30th and final day of the special session under Washington’s constitution. Earlier this week the governor voiced how he likely would call a second special session to begin immediately if Tuesday comes and goes without... Read More...
New House budget proposal presents victories, challenges
June 08, 2013
Earlier this week, the House released a new $33.7 billion spending proposal…a sign that they are finally taking budget negotiations seriously. The proposal released this week represents an improvement over the original House budget but while the lower level of spending is welcome, it’s unconscionable that more than 75 percent... Read More...
No support for higher gas taxes
June 08, 2013
On April 19 the Senate Transportation Committee approved a bare-bones, no-new-taxes transportation budget for 2013-15. Three days later the House Transportation Committee adopted a separate bill that would impose a 10-cent hike in the state portion of the gas tax over three years, and create or increase an array of... Read More...
State government abuzz after Honeyford mosquito bills become law
May 13, 2013
The governor has signed two bills sponsored by Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, dealing with mosquito-population control. Senate Bill 5002 will update state law to allow local mosquito districts more flexibility in their operations, while Senate Bill 5324 will encourage municipalities to use state Department of Ecology design guidelines when constructing... Read More...
Honeyford bills will create jobs for teens, reduce clerical burdens
May 07, 2013
Gov. Jay Inslee signed two bills Tuesday that will benefit businesses in Washington and hopefully put more people to work. Senate Bills 5056 and 5770, both sponsored by 15th District Sen. Jim Honeyford of Sunnyside, make it easier for businesses to hire minors and reduce the clerical burdens of small... Read More...
15th Dist. Olympia Report for May 2, 2013
May 02, 2013
The deadline for the Washington State Legislature to end its business and go home was Sunday, however since no budget agreement could be reached in time, taxpayers will now be forced to foot the bill for yet another special session (which seems to be an annual tradition in Olympia). I... Read More...
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...