Back in Session

We returned to Olympia Monday, January 9, for a scheduled 60-day session.  Already things are heating up.  As you may have seen and heard in the news, attention is focused on the budget, gay marriage, and the governor’s proposed sales tax increase.

On Tuesday, Governor Gregoire delivered her state of the state address to the Washington State Legislature.  It was a good speech, but her themes were more aspirational and tended to sidestep the problems facing families and employers today.  Social issues and new revenue packages are taking center stage.  Our state needs to prove that it can  get its fiscal house in order before it even considers some of the lofty ideas being proposed by the governor.

The next 60 days will come fast and furious.  Your input and support will be critical to the success of this session.  Please keep me informed of your desires and recommendations.

Contribution Freeze

Elected officials who currently are in office, and who are seeking re-election, may not accept campaign contributions during any special legislative session or 30 days prior to a regular legislative session until the end of that session.  We may begin accepting contributions again at the end of the regular legislative session — which will be mid-March 2012.  Please accept my special thanks to those of you who have contributed and encouraged me in this campaign cycle.