State Representative Jim McCune - 2nd Legislative District
 


Serving Pierce and Thurston Counties

 
 

Olympia Office:
413 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7824
 


Toll-Free Legislative Hotline:
1-800-562-6000
Website:
 www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/McCune

Committees:
 General Government Appropriations (Ranking Republican)
Capital Budget
Technology, Energy and Communications

  
 

Dear friends,

We now have four days left in our 2009 legislative session. In the remaining time, state lawmakers will pass the operating, transportation and capital budgets, along with dozens of other bills. While this is an extremely busy time in Olympia, I wanted to take a moment to update you on some issues that impact our communities.

Please let me know if you ever have any questions or concerns. I look forward to your input.

Take care,

Jim McCune
State Representative


Addressing a $9 billion state budget shortfall

After 79 days of inaction in the legislative session, the majority party in the House and Senate unveiled their operating budget proposals. While the details must still be worked out, it is clear that their approach will rely on one-time federal dollars, state fund transfers and borrowing against our state's future. It is this kind of short-sighted, poor budgeting decisions that led us to the current $9 billion budget shortfall we are in today.

In addition to a flawed budget approach, the majority party is also considering sending a proposed state sales tax increase or new state income tax to the voters through a referendum. I'm against any type of tax increase because it represents a lack of leadership in Olympia.  

Despite what you might hear, our state can -- and must -- pass a no-new-taxes budget. We can do this by restructuring and prioritizing state government. I see our state's priorities as being public education, public safety and protection vulnerable seniors and the disabled.

Some state lawmakers will have you believe that our budget problems are all due to the economy. This is only partly true. We cannot forget that state spending has increased by 33 percent -- $8 billion -- in the last four years. We can address the problem by passing a budget that does not spend beyond what our state expects to take in for taxes.

I also believe we have to look beyond this budget and determine what we can do to prevent this problem from happening again. This means fundamentally changing our budget process. For example, I support measures that would: set a state spending limit; establish a balanced budget requirement; require the state to put exceptional revenue in the rainy day fund in good economic times; and prevent the Legislature from enacting an unsustainable budget.

Changes in the capital budget
 
 I've voted for the capital budget in the past because it provided vital funding to infrastructure and land preservation efforts in the 2nd District and around the state -- ones that led to economic development.  

Unfortunately, a new approach is being proposed for this budget. The majority party wants to take around $780 million from dedicated capital budget accounts and transfer it to the operating budget. This would result in many projects and jobs being lost. 

The majority party also wants to buy more land. While I usually support these types of purchases, the state should not be buying any more land at a time when some state parks are in jeopardy of being closed. Let's be good stewards of the state lands already in our possession before we look to buy more.   

We must return to the original purpose of the capital budget: making important investments in critical infrastructure and creating jobs.  
Preventing the closure of state parks
 
Vehicle owners currently have the option to donate $5 or more to state parks when they renew their license tabs. People make a decision by checking a box and writing in the amount. This is called an "opt-in" option, and the state raised $700,000 with this option last year. I support this system.

The majority party now plans to create an "opt-out" option. This means the state would automatically take $5 from vehicle owners unless they indicate they don't want to give the fee to state parks. I think this is a sneaky approach, and I'm against it.
 
I have an alternative solution. House Bill 2333 would direct the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to recruit and maintain volunteer park host families at all state parks, utilize donation collection boxes at manned and unmanned state parks (for the Parks Stewardship Account) and report to the Legislature on various goals. These are just a few parts of the bill. 

The bottom line is we must prevent the closure of any state park.


Helping veterans by establishing the Disabled Veterans Assistance Account

 I'm doing all I can to move forward legislation I'm prime sponsoring that would create a new account dedicated to funding services for veterans. House Bill 1876, which passed the House unanimously March 3, would establish the Disabled Veterans Assistance Account. The account would be funded through vehicle owners who make voluntary donations of $5 when renewing their vehicle license tabs.  

The measure is stalled in the Senate Transportation Committee because it appears to conflict with the majority party's desire to have this fee option apply to state parks. This is unfair to veterans and their families who might need assistance with important medical equipment, emergency home or vehicle repair, and urgent food or shelter needs. We can, and must, do better for our veterans.
 

Bill would make it easier for convicted felons to vote without paying debts

I'm disappointed in a bill headed to the governor's desk that would give voting rights back to convicted felons immediately after they are released from prison -- even if they have not paid court fees or restitution to victims.

Under House Bill 1517, felons would just have to re-register and their voting rights would be automatically restored -- without having to complete community supervision or pay court-ordered financial obligations. I voted "no" on this legislation because it is offensive to victims and their families. We must put families before felons. You can read my news release on this measure here.


Saving the Voights Creek Hatchery

I'm working to save funding for the Voights Creek Hatchery in Orting amid proposed cuts in the operating budget. Without this necessary funding, the important hatchery would be forced to close.

I understand our state faces difficult decisions with its finances, but the possible savings of closing the Voights Creek Hatchery do not justify the economic impact it would create locally. I'm also concerned about the impact on fishermen and fisheries. 

I have met and worked with stakeholders, including the Puyallup Tribe, and am optimistic we will find a solution. And I encourage all parties who support the hatchery to voice their concerns.


Staying in touch

If you ever have any comments or questions to pass along, please contact me. My information is above.
Please also stay connected to me and state government through my Web site – including my newsroom, legislation and district information.


Click here to e-mail me.
You can also send me an e-mail at mccune.jim@leg.wa.gov.
 
     
 

For more news and information, visit my website at http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/McCune
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