The Washington State House of Representatives adopted its rules on February 1, 2013. House Republicans offered four amendments to the rules that would have prioritized education funding, protected taxpayers and ensured citizens have a stronger voice in the legislative process. Below are the solutions, amendments and rules, and how they
would help Washingtonians. Unfortunately, House Democrats rejected all but one of these proposed changes.

Prioritizing education funding through Fund Education First.

Amendment to House Rule 12
Why this is important to students, parents and schools:

• If we Fund Education First – in a stand-alone, K-12 education budget – we would meet the needs of our students and expectations of our state constitution and Supreme Court.
• This amendment would establish that not all state programs are equal and elevate education funding to the top position it belongs in the budget process.
• The Democrats are using the failure to properly fund education over the years as a new platform to raise taxes. We cannot risk our students’ future on an unpopular approach that is not supported by voters, House Republicans, the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, or the governor.

Placing supermajority vote provisions of Initiative 1185 into House rules.
Amendment to House Rule 10(B)
Why this is important to taxpayers, families and the economy:

• Nearly 64 percent of voters supported I-1185 in 2012. All counties and 44 out of 49 legislative districts voted for it. Voters have supported this concept five times in the last 20 years.
• Families have made hard choices and sacrifices and they expect the same of their state lawmakers. The threat of tax increases causes uncertainty to consumers and employers, which harms the economy.
• Washingtonians can’t afford to send any more money to Olympia when they are now sending more money to Washington, D.C.

Allowing each state representative to have one bill that receives a House committee hearing.
Amendment to House Rule 24
Why this is important to communities in every legislative district:

• It’s reasonable and fair to allow each state representative, who represents more than 137,000 people, the opportunity to choose one bill to receive a House committee hearing. It would result in a greater diversity of ideas.
• Many of these bills would be very important to the communities of state representatives and allow their constituents to have a stronger voice in the legislative process.
• This is a solution in the spirit of the “One Washington” that the Speaker of the House often talks about.

Prioritizing citizen testimony in House committee hearings.
Amendment to House Rule 24
Why this is important to citizens who want to be a part of the legislative process:

• People who come to Olympia to share their views, especially those who travel long distances to do so, should be given priority over lobbyists and political insiders.
• It’s important to hear about the experiences, concerns and solutions of Washingtonians.
• The Democrats have said they will try to follow this rule. This amendment would ensure accountability and positive outcomes for citizens who want to be a part of the legislative process.

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke these famous words that forever changed our country:

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, “My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.”

The Washington State House of Representatives honored Dr. King’s life Jan. 21.

Watch Chad Magendanz’ speech:

Watch Jan Angel’s speech: