Dan Kristiansen Home    |   About Dan    |    Dan’s Newsroom    |    Sponsored Bills    |    39th Legislative District Map

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

We are on the last day of the 30-day special session, but the Legislature is headed into double overtime beginning tomorrow morning. The major areas of disagreement between the bipartisan Senate Majority Coalition Caucus and House Democrats continue to be the operating budget and state government reforms.

Many of you may be disappointed in this outcome, while some of you may appreciate one of the two distinct positions that have been taken on state spending. I understand the disappointment. We don’t want Olympia to be like Washington, D.C., and I assure you that it is not. The talk of a state government shutdown feels a lot like our nation’s capital, but I’m confident our disagreements at the state level will be worked out soon. I honestly believe everyone wants what’s best for our state, but just have different views on how to get there.

Progress on the I-5 Skagit River Bridge

Steady progress continues on the I-5 Skagit River Bridge. Crews have removed most of the damaged parts of the bridge, but some debris continues to be embedded in the Skagit River. The National Transportation Safety Board has also completed the on-site portion of its investigation. You can find more information here.

Detour routes seem to be working well, but unfortunately 30-minute delays have been occurring during peak commute times. You can find travel times here. The Washington State Department of Transportation is continuing to monitor traffic flow.

The best news: the temporary bridge could be ready as soon as next week. A visual approximation of the replacement can be seen to the right. Here is a Seattle Times article on the progress of the project.

An important thing to remember is that local businesses are open. Please help spread the word and visit if you can. The state Department of Commerce is also helping out in this area. Every little bit helps and we cannot allow this accident to set our communities back. To date, everyone has come together. Let’s do all we can to make sure it continues.

Honoring Washington State Trooper Sean M. O’Connell Jr.  

The Washington House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring the life and service of Sean M. O’Connell Jr. yesterday. Sean was a trooper in the Washington State Patrol. He died from injuries he sustained when a truck collided with his motorcycle while he was directing traffic caused by the collapsed I-5 Skagit River Bridge on May 31. Sean leaves behind a wife, son and daughter. His passing is a reminder that our law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line daily for us. I’m personally grateful for Sean’s service and accomplishments.

House Joint Memorial 4003, which I am a co-sponsor of, requests that the I-5 Skagit River Bridge be named the Trooper No. 1076, Sean M. O’Connell Memorial Bridge.

Bills that have been signed into law

While the operating budget has yet to be finalized, a lot of other work has been accomplished the last five months. There have been 2,080 total bills introduced in the 2013 regular and special sessions – with 1,102 introduced in the House and 978 in the Senate. These numbers will increase during the second special session. A total of 337 bills have been passed by the Legislature, so far, and have been signed into law by the governor. Some of these measures will only affect small groups of people, while others will have a broader impact. Below are some bills that deal with local government and control.

• House Bill 1045 waives the requirement of an engineering and traffic investigation when a city or town establishes a lower speed limit within a residential or business district.
• House Bill 1180 increases from $152,000 to $214,000 the lump-sum death benefit that is paid to survivors of Volunteer Fire Fighters’ and Reserve Officers’ Relief and Pension System members who die as a result of injuries or sickness that are the result of the performance of duties. The prime sponsor of this legislation is my seatmate, Rep. Elizabeth Scott. 
• Senate Bill 5113 allows state, local or county law enforcement personnel to enforce speeding violations on private roads in condominium associations and apartment associations, so long as the provisions required for homeowners associations are met by the associations.
• Senate Bill 5099 will require the state Department of Commerce to adopt rules that provide local governments the authority to exempt police, fire and other emergency response vehicles, including utility vehicles used for emergency response, from the fuel usage requirement.

Special session part two

My hope is that the second special session of 2013 is short, focused and results in a no-new-taxes operating budget that emphasizes K-12 education. And if we can also pass meaningful reforms that help our public schools, and small-business owners and their employees, I will be even happier. Please stay tuned and feel free to share your thoughts will me. My contact information is below.

In your service,

Dan Kristiansen
State Representative
39th Legislative District 

State Representative Dan Kristiansen
39th Legislative District

Web site: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/kristiansen

335C Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7967 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

 

Dan Kristiansen Home    |   About Dan    |    Dan’s Newsroom    |    Sponsored Bills    |    39th Legislative District Map

April 15, 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On Friday, Democrats passed their proposed operating budget, Senate Bill 5034, from the House on a near party-line vote. I voted “no.” Here’s why:

• This is a tax-and-spend “can’t say no” budget that would spend more and save less than any other proposal;
• It would raise taxes by $1.3 billion when revenues are already expected to grow by 6.6 percent – nearly $2 billion more revenue expected in the coming budget cycle – and that’s without tax increases;
• Tax increases would affect trucking, janitorial services, insurance, high-tech research and development, architects, prescription drug and travel agent industries. It would extend taxes to all types of beer, and place a sales tax on bottled water (the same tax that was recently repealed by voters);
• The tax increases would hurt the Main Street sectors of our fragile economy and make it harder for employers to hire and create jobs; and
• It would completely drain the state’s Rainy Day Fund, leaving the state vulnerable if there are unforeseen emergencies.

While the Senate Majority Caucus Coalition’s operating budget proposal is not perfect, I believe it is a much better plan than the House Democrat proposal because:

• It would not rely on tax increases; and
• The bipartisan plan would spend $1.5 billion more on K-12 education, $300 million more for higher education, and it balances over four years.

Now that both the Senate and House have passed their respective operating budget proposals, the issue goes before a conference committee which will work to negotiate a final budget that could receive a majority of votes in both chambers. If House Democrats are open to compromise and allow bipartisanship, the Legislature can – and should – finish the legislative session by its scheduled end date of April 28 without the need for a special session.

I invite you to read on for other issues and events at the state Capitol.

As always, your comments are welcome. You’ll find my contact information at the bottom of this e-mail update. Please do not hit “reply” to this report, as it will not reach me.

Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve you!

Sincerely,

Dan Kristiansen
State Representative
39th District

Fix it BEFORE you fund it!
This week’s reform: Reduce bonding terms to 15 years

Every week in this e-mail update since March 11, I have featured reforms that could save taxpayers a lot of money in our state’s transportation system. These include:

These are part of our “Fix it BEFORE you fund it” transportation reform package. House Republicans believe before the Legislature asks you for more money for transportation, it should implement these reforms and seek fundamental changes in WSDOT to ensure that taxpayers are not left on the hook for such major mistakes, such as leaky pontoons, faulty ferries and ramps to nowhere.

Here’s another suggestion we have proposed: House Bill 1989 would limit bond terms for transportation projects to 15 years.

Bonds are like a mortgage. Let’s say you purchase a home on a 25-year loan at 6.5 percent for $100,000. The interest over 25 years would be nearly $103,000, meaning you’ll pay more than double the original purchase price. It’s the same for when the state issues bonds for transportation projects. Normally, transportation projects are bonded on a 30-year term, which means the state commits itself during that period to repay both principal and debt services. Not only that, the state charges itself sales tax on transportation projects. So it must take out a higher loan to cover the cost of the sales tax. Taxpayers pay far more than the original price tag.

By limiting bond terms to 15 years, the state would pay considerably less over the term of the loan. Plus it would free up 15 years of funding that could be applied to other projects.

These are simple, but effective solutions that would protect taxpayers, ensure accountability and make our gas tax dollars go farther. Before we ask you for more money, we should “Fix it BEFORE we fund it!”

Events at the State Capitol

We have many groups that visit the state Capitol during the legislative session and participate in events. Here’s a look at public events planned this week.

Tuesday, April 16
CODE BLUE: Credit Rating Rally and March
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Public School Employees of Washington
Legislative Building – North Steps
Estimated attendance: 60 – 70
   
Thursday, April 18
Purple Presence
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by: SEIU Healthcare 775 NW
Legislative Building – 4th floor west
Estimated attendance: 25

Friday, April 19
CODE BLUE: Public School Employees Week of Action, Sign & Wave
7 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Sponsored by: Public School Employees of Washington
West Campus – South Diagonal and Capitol Way pedestrian bridge
Estimated attendance: 45

Saturday, April 20
Interfaith Vigil and Rally for Gun Sense
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by: Moms Demand Action Washington/Olympia and St. Benedict’s
West Campus – Tivoli Fountain North Lawn
Estimated attendance: 100

Survey results
Last week in my e-mail update, I asked you to respond in our caucus statewide survey about tax incentives. Here are the results:

State Representative Dan Kristiansen
39th Legislative District

E-mail
Web site: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/kristiansen

425A Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7967 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

 

Dan Kristiansen Home    |   About Dan    |    Dan’s Newsroom    |    Sponsored Bills    |    39th Legislative District Map

April 8, 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Tomorrow, April 9,  is known here at the Capitol as “fiscal cutoff.” It is the last day for committees to consider and pass bills from the opposite chamber. By tomorrow, most committee action will be wrapped up and our focus for the remaining three weeks of the session will be on the House floor, considering and debating Senate bills that have passed their respective committees.  The next major deadline is April 17. That is the date all bills from the opposite chambers must pass from the House and Senate, or they are considered “dead” for the session. The exception are bills necessary to implement the budget.

Speaking of budgets, last Friday the Senate voted to approve its operating budget proposal.

As always, your comments are welcome. You’ll find my contact information at the bottom of this e-mail update. Please do not hit “reply” to this report, as it will not reach me.

Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve you!

Sincerely,

Dan Kristiansen
State Representative
39th District

Senate Majority Coalition Caucus operating budget gains bipartisan support

The Senate passed its bipartisan 2013-15 operating budget on a 30-18 vote Friday. You can find more details on the group’s plan here. House Democrats will likely release their operating budget proposal on Wednesday. 

Highlights of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus’ (SMCC) operating budget include:

• $1.5 billion more for K-12 education ($1 billion for McCleary);
• $300 million more for higher education;
• Balances for four years;
• A truly bipartisan operating budget; and
• No new taxes.
   

While it’s not exactly how House Republicans would write the operating budget if given the opportunity, the SMCC’s initial approach represents many of our principles and priorities for the state. I am especially encouraged that the Senate budget would reform and make new investments in K-12 education, fund other important priorities and make state government more efficient.  I’m also pleased that it would not rely on new tax increases – something Gov. Inslee proposed last week.

Republican Sen. Andy Hill said the Senate measure includes some tough decisions, but helps reprioritize state spending without relying on taxes. “The last thing we want to do at this point is take money out of their pockets when they’re struggling and when small businesses are struggling,” Hill said.  The article can be found here.

I hope that the bipartisan work in the Senate will carry over in the House and allow us to approve a budget based on priorities – funding education first – and no tax increases, while finishing this legislative session on time (April 28). 

Congratulations to our local schools!

Five schools in the 39th District have been issued the 2012 Washington Achievement Award by state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn.

The award celebrates schools for Overall Excellence and special recognition in:

Local schools that will be honored include:

• Kent Prairie Elementary – Arlington
• Lyman Elementary – Sedro-Woolley
• Sedro-Woolley Senior High School – Sedro-Woolley
• Sky Valley Education Center – Monroe
• Sultan Elementary – Sultan

The awards will be issued April 30 at a ceremony at Kentwood High School in Covington.

Great students, great teachers and great schools! Congratulations!

Tax incentives: What do you think? Take our quick survey.

Tax incentives are used to entice employers to locate in Washington and create jobs. They essentially provide a tax break to certain businesses and entities. Several of these incentives are due to expire in June. Those whose tax incentives expire or are repealed would be paying higher taxes to the state.

Do you think repealing a tax incentive for employers is the same as increasing taxes? Take our survey:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6L9Z559

Fix it BEFORE you fund it!
This week’s reform: Ensure accountability by reporting expensive engineering mistakes

Last fall, KOMO News 4, a television station in Seattle, began a series of investigative reports that uncovered disturbing news – six pontoons being built for the new $4.65 billion State Route 520 floating bridge were leaking. And while the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) had admitted the leaks, the full extent of the problems was not disclosed until KOMO’s investigative reports began airing. KOMO found a pattern of design flaws, construction mistakes and contract violations made in the building of the largest floating bridge in the world. Some engineers said privately they would not trust taking their family over the new 520 bridge once it is completed. It could cost $100 million or more to repair.

Just two years earlier, contractors for WSDOT built a new off ramp above Nalley Valley in Tacoma that they later determined was constructed in the wrong place. The contractor followed a WSDOT engineer’s specifications. It was a mistake that cost taxpayers nearly a million dollars. The ramp had to be torn down and rebuilt.

And then there’s the MV Chetzemoka, a 64-car ferry built for $79 million and deployed in 2010 that lists to one side.

These are considerable problems that seem to be brushed aside by WSDOT as no big deal. But when you are talking millions and billions of dollars, it is a big deal!

House Democrats have proposed several tax increases that would go for transportation purposes. However, my House Republican colleagues and I feel that before another dime is taken from taxpayers in Washington, we need to set in place a plan of reforms to make sure these problems don’t continue.

Among our proposed reforms is House Bill 1986. This measure would require WSDOT to report engineering errors costing more than $500,000 and explain what went wrong to the Legislature. In addition, it would require the agency to put in place a plan to correct errors and ensure similar mistakes do not happen on future projects.

We need to make sure every transportation dollar is used effectively and hold WSDOT accountable for unnecessary and costly errors.

Fix it BEFORE you fund it! That’s the concept behind House Bill 1986, which I’m pleased to say has gained enough support to pass the House Transportation Committee. It is now awaiting action by the full house. This is one small, but important step toward reforming our state’s transportation system. House Republicans have five more reforms we believe should be enacted BEFORE seeking more revenue for transportation. Go here to read our entire plan. I invite you to read this press release on our proposed reforms which have passed the House Transportation Committee.

Events at the State Capitol

We have many groups that visit the state Capitol during the legislative session and participate in events. Here’s a look at public events planned this week.

Tuesday, April 9
Pacific Science Center Day
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Legislative Building – 3rd Floor Mezzanine
Estimated attendance: 200

Thursday, April 11
Washington Cattlemen’s barbeque
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington Cattlemen’s Association
Location: West Campus
Estimated attendance: 1000

Washington State Department of Agriculture Centennial
9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington State Department of Agriculture
Location: Legislative Building – 3rd Floor Mezzanine, South Portico
Estimated attendance: 200

La Salle High School Band Performance
12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Sponsored by: La Salle High School
Event type: Public
Location: Legislative Building – Rotunda
Estimated attendance: 30

Saturday, April 13
Band Performance
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Sponsored by: Colville High School

Vigil to Remember Victims of Gun Violence
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by: Organizing for Action
Legislative Building – North Steps
Estimated attendance: 50-100

State Representative Dan Kristiansen
39th Legislative District

E-mail
Web site: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/kristiansen

425A Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7967 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

 

Dan Kristiansen Home    |   About Dan    |    Dan’s Newsroom    |    Sponsored Bills    |    39th Legislative District Map

April 1, 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Less than a month remains of the 2013 legislative session, which is scheduled to adjourn April 28. Operating budgets are now being crafted by both the Senate Majority Coalition and House Democrats, all of which may be released in the next two weeks. Last Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee released his budget outline, which included more than $1.2 billion in tax increases.

Washington state is already expected to bring in an additional $2 billion over the current budget. Yet wages in the private sector remain low and unemployment remains high. Our economy is fragile and cannot support tax increases. That’s why I oppose tax hikes. Instead, we need to adopt a budget that prioritizes spending and avoids tax increases. I support funding education first, taking care of our state’s most vulnerable citizens and ensuring our public safety needs are met.

We may also soon see a transportation budget come to the House floor that would seek higher state gas taxes and fees. Again, I will not support increased taxes, especially when we have plenty of opportunity to reform our state’s transportation system and get more bang for the buck out of the taxes you currently pay.

As always, your comments are welcome. You’ll find my contact information at the bottom of this e-mail update. Please do not hit “reply” to this report, as it will not reach me.

Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve you!

Sincerely,

Dan Kristiansen
State Representative
39th District

Fix it BEFORE you fund it!
This week’s reform: Make gas tax dollars go further by exempting transportation projects from sales tax

In previous e-mail updates, I talked about the systematic problems within the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), including leaky pontoons, faulty ferries and ramps to nowhere. I also noted that it costs twice as much in Washington to build a highway than other states. Before we ask citizens for more money for transportation, we should get to the bottom of these problems first. In other words, “Fix it BEFORE you fund it!”

House Republicans have released a plan of reforms that we believe should be enacted BEFORE seeking more revenue for transportation. Go here to read our entire plan.

Each week in my e-mail update, I am highlighting one of the six reforms we have proposed. Here is this week’s proposed reform:

House Bill 1985 would exempt transportation projects from sales tax.

Did you know that the state charges itself sales taxes on transportation projects? And that money from the state’s transportation budget goes into the state’s general fund to pay for operating expenses that have nothing to do with transportation.

Money in the state’s transportation budget is largely derived from motor vehicle license fees and state gas taxes. However, the 18th Amendment to the Washington State Constitution requires motor vehicle license fees and state gas taxes to be used exclusively for highway projects and nothing else. How does the state get around this amendment? By charging itself sales taxes on transportation projects.

This means valuable transportation revenue (paid by drivers) is funneled out of the transportation budget and into the state’s general fund, and then used to pay for non-highway projects like social services, education and general government. WSDOT officials estimate that project delivery costs could be reduced up to 8.5 percent if their projects were exempt from state sales taxes.

How significant is this? In the most recent budget cycle, $413 million in transportation funds was paid in sales tax to the general fund.

This ridiculous practice drives up the costs of projects. And remember, many transportation projects are bonded up to 25 or 30 years. In other words, the state borrows money over time to pay for transportation projects, including the cost of the sales taxes, which it then pays itself to the general fund. And you, the taxpayer, end up paying not only the principal and interest on the cost of the project, but also the interest on the money borrowed to pay the sales taxes to the state.

Before we ask citizens for more money for transportation, we need to end this absurd practice of the state paying itself sales tax on transportation projects. House Bill 1985 would accomplish this goal.

This week in Olympia!

Below is the schedule for public hearings in the House committees this week. I encourage you to become involved in your state Legislature. If you’d like to learn more about how to testify in committee, go here. Click on the links below to get information about each bill.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

Public Safety Committee – House Hearing Room D – 8 a.m.

Higher Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8:30 a.m.

• Commercialization of Research – Work Session
• Financial Aid Roundtable Discussion – Work Session

Government Operations and Elections Committee – House Hearing Room E – 9 a.m.

• Replacement ballot by telephone request – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5500

Labor and Workforce Development Committee – House Hearing Room D – 10 a.m.

• Granting scheduling authority for qualified retrospective rating plan employers and groups – Public Hearing Senate Bill 5112
• Employee Wellness Programs – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5811

Government Accountability and Oversight Committee – House Hearing Room E

• Liquor Sales and Distribution – Public Hearing and Executive Session on House Bill 2019

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 (Policy cutoff)

Higher Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 1:30 p.m.

• Innovations in Remedial Education – Work Session

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services – House Hearing Room C – 1:30 p.m.

• Sexual Orientation Change Efforts for Children – Public Hearing on House Bill 1882

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government – House Hearing Room D – 1:30 p.m.

• Industrial Hemp – Public Hearing on House Bill 1888
• Geothermal Resources – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5369

Appropriations Subcommittee on Education – House Hearing Room A – 1:30 p.m.

• Placing Epinephrine Autoinjectors in Schools – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5104
• Statewide Indicators of Educational Health – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5491
• Aligning High School and Postsecondary STEM – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5624

FRIDAY, APRIL 5

Capital Budget Committee – House Hearing Room B – 8 a.m.

• Bills Referred to Committee – Public Hearing

Finance Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Bills Referred to Committee – Public Hearing

Transportation Committee – House Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.

• Bills Referred to Committee – Public Hearing

SATURDAY, APRIL 6

Appropriations Committee – House Hearing Room A – 9 a.m.

• Bills Referred to Committee – Public Hearing

Transportation Committee – House Hearing Room B – 9 a.m.

• Bills Referred to Committee – Public Hearing

Events at the State Capitol

We have many groups that visit the state Capitol during the legislative session and participate in events. Here’s a look at public events planned this week.

Wednesday, April 3
Seattle Children’s Advocacy Day
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sponsored by: Seattle Children’s Hospital
Legislative Building – Columbia room
Estimated attendance: 100

Thursday, April 4
Blood Drive
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sponsored by: Puget Sound Blood Center
Office Building 2
Estimated attendance: 40

Friday, April 5
Ballard High School Choir Singing
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Sponsored by: Ballard High School
Legislative Building – Rotunda
Estimated attendance: 90 choir members

Saturday, April 6
National Tartan Day Proclamation Reading
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sponsored by: National Tartan Day Society of Washington
Legislative Building – Rotunda
Estimated attendance: 50-100

State Representative Dan Kristiansen
39th Legislative District

E-mail
Web site: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/kristiansen

425A Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7967 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

 

Dan Kristiansen Home    |   About Dan    |    Dan’s Newsroom    |    Sponsored Bills    |    39th Legislative District Map

March 25, 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We will soon be entering the final month of the 2013 regular legislative session. Last Wednesday, the state’s revenue forecast was released. Now that the Legislature has those numbers, it can begin to finalize an operating budget that will carry the state through the next two years. Less than two weeks ago, House Republicans were the first to release a spending plan which would fund education first before any other state programs. You can read that plan here.

I invite you to read further for details on the revenue forecast, our plans in the state’s transportation system to “fix it before you fund it,” and this week’s events at the state Capitol.

As always, your comments are welcome. You’ll find my contact information at the bottom of this e-mail update. Please do not hit “reply” to this report, as it will not reach me.

Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve you!

Sincerely,

Dan Kristiansen
State Representative
39th District

Revenue forecast ‘flat’; economy shows some signs of improvement

Last week, the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released its quarterly revenue forecast for the 2011-13 biennium and the 2013-15 biennium. The General Fund-State net change is an increase of $58.8 million through the remainder of the 2011-13 biennium, which ends in June. However, the council is projecting a $19.1 million decrease in expected revenues for the 2013-15 biennium, primarily due to federal sequestration reductions, reinstatement of the federal payroll tax, and a state economy that remains fragile. The forecast has also been reduced by $48.7 million for the 2015-17 biennium. An improved trend in housing construction and sales is expected to help buffer against further revenue reductions.

What do all these figures mean?

The forecast is much better than predicted, even though incoming revenue remains largely flat. While some lawmakers are still stuck talking about tax increases, this forecast underscores the need for the Legislature to create a budget within EXISTING revenues by prioritizing spending.

While the news media is concentrating on a $1.3 billion budget shortfall, here’s a figure they’re not telling you: $2 billion. That’s the increase of revenue expected over and above the current budget year. In other words, the state will be taking in $2 billion more in the coming budget cycle than the previous one.

So why do we hear about this so-called “shortfall?” Because that would be the reduction of anticipated increases of funding. In other words, an “Olympia cut.”

The bottom line is that there is enough money to pay for essential services and balance the state’s operating budget WITHOUT tax increases. The revenue forecast showed us while the economy is showing some signs of recovery, it is still very fragile. Tax increases could wipe out the ability for the economy to recover any time soon.

Fix it BEFORE you fund it!
This week’s transportation reform: Suspend GMA in counties with high unemployment

In my previous e-mail update, I talked about the systematic problems within the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), including leaky pontoons, faulty ferries and ramps to nowhere. I also noted that it costs twice as much in Washington to build a highway than other states. Before we ask citizens for more money for transportation, we should get to the bottom of these problems first. In other words, “Fix it BEFORE you fund it!”

House Republicans have released a plan of reforms that we believe should be enacted BEFORE seeking more revenue for transportation. Go here to read our entire plan.

Each week in my e-mail update, I am highlighting one of the six reforms we have proposed. Here is this week’s proposed reform:

• SUSPEND THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT (GMA) – House Bill 1619 would suspend GMA requirements in counties with persistent unemployment, where regulations often stand in the way of economic development.

The Growth Management Act is the comprehensive land-use planning framework for county and city governments in Washington. Enacted in 1990 and 1991, the GMA establishes numerous requirements for local governments obligated by mandate or choice to fully plan under the GMA, and a reduced number of directives for all other counties and cities.

The “one size fits all” restrictions of the state’s GMA creates inefficiencies and unnecessary expense to our state’s transportation system. Frequently, these requirements prevent businesses from locating in our communities and forces our neighbors to travel 40 miles or more to their jobs. That results in more pollution, unnecessary wear and tear on our highways, and reduces our quality of life.

Olympia doesn’t always know what’s best for our communities. We believe local government officials should have greater control over their planning and use policies, rather than leaving oversight to a governor-appointed, non-elected state Growth Management Hearings Board. What people want in Seattle and Olympia in terms of land-use planning doesn’t always translate to a workable model in other parts of the state. Unfortunately, in areas of persistent high unemployment, the Growth Management Act has served as a barrier to jobs and growth.

In counties that have unemployment rates exceeding seven percent for three consecutive months, House Bill 1619 would suspend the Growth Management Act requirements for five years, or until the average rate of total seasonally-adjusted unemployment remains less than seven percent for three consecutive months. This measure would help struggling local governments that need relief from the GMA, not only to save them money, but also would allow them focus their attention and limited tax collections on economic development.

This week in Olympia!

Below is the schedule for public hearings in the House committees this week. I encourage you to become involved in your state Legislature. If you’d like to learn more about how to testify in committee, go here. Click on the links below to get information about each bill.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

Higher Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 9 a.m.

Government Operations and Elections Committee – House Hearing Room E – 9 a.m.

• Protecting Ethical Actions of Employees – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5577

Labor and Workforce Development Committee  – House Hearing Room D – 10 a.m.

• Social Networking Accounts and Profiles – Public Hearing Senate Bill 5211

Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee – House Hearing Room B – 10 a.m.

• Process for Acquisition of Habitat and Recreation Lands – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5054

Government Accountability and Oversight Committee – House Hearing Room C – 1:30 p.m.

• Spirits Sampling – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5396
• Grocery Store Beer and Wine Tasting – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5517
• Farmers Market Beer and Wine Sampling – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5674

Transportation Committee – House Hearing Room B – 3:30 p.m.

• Expanding Use of Farm Vehicles on Highways – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5616
• Rules for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5849

Early Learning and Human Services Committee – House Hearing Room C – 1:30 p.m.

• Prohibiting Use of EBT Cards/Welfare Benefits for Marijuana and Liquor – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5279
• Extended Foster Care – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5405

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee – House Hearing Room B – 8 a.m.

• Companion Animal Safety, Population Control and Spay/Neuter Assistance Program – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5202

Environment Committee – House Hearing Room C – 1:30 p.m.

• Mercury-Containing Lights – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5658

Business and Financial Services Committee – House Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.

• Authorizing Small Consumer Installment Loans – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5312

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government Committee – House Hearing Room D – 3:30 p.m.

• Briefing on Washington Military Department – Work Session

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

Early Learning and Human Services Committee – House Hearing Room C – 8 a.m.

• Adolescent Brain Development – Work Session

Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Teacher Principal Evaluation Project – Work Session

Public Safety Committee – House Hearing Room D – 10 a.m.

• Federal Immigration Policy and Secure Communities – Work Session
• National Defense Authorization Act, Indefinite Detention – Work Session

Government Operations and Elections Committee – House Hearing Room E – 10 a.m. 

• Creating a Formal Review Process for Rules – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5679

Technology and Economic Development Committee – House Hearing Room C – 1:30 p.m.

• Technology Transfers, Commercialization, and Washington’s Entrepreneurial Climate – Work Session

Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee – House Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.

• Unlawful Trade in Shark Fins – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5081

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

Finance Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Addressing the Bracken Decision under Washington’s Estate Tax – Public Hearing on House Bill 1920

Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 1:30 p.m.

• Job Corps/Peace Corps/AmeriCorps K-12 Access – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5114
• Requiring “Mutual Consent” for Teacher Placement – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5242

Events at the State Capitol

We have many groups that visit the state Capitol during the legislative session and participate in events. Here’s a look at public events planned this week.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

Press Conference on State Budget Online Transparency
10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Sponsored by: WashPIRG
Legislative Building – North Steps
Estimated attendance: 10

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

Mental Health Care 
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Sponsored by: SEIU 1199NW
Legislative Building – North Steps
Estimated attendance: 60

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sponsored by: Yakama Warriors Association
Vietnam Veterans Memorial – Capitol campus
Estimated attendance: 100

State Representative Dan Kristiansen
39th Legislative District

E-mail
Web site: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/kristiansen

425A Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7967 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

 

Dan Kristiansen Home    |   About Dan    |    Dan’s Newsroom    |    Sponsored Bills    |    39th Legislative District Map

March 18, 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This past week has been quite intensive in the Legislature. March 13 was the floor cutoff, meaning House policy bills had to pass out of the House by that date or they are considered “dead” for the session. The same deadline applied in the Senate with Senate bills. So we were working late nights and on Saturday, debating and passing hundreds of bills.

And then came Tuesday, March 12, the day before cutoff, when Speaker Frank Chopp declared he was going to bring out the universal background checks gun control bill (House Bill 1588) to the House floor, once he secured 50 votes. After passing a few bills that morning, Democrats went into a caucus meeting to secure the 50th vote. But it became evident there was a chasm of disagreement between liberal and conservative House Democrats. The conservative Democrats favored adding a referendum clause to the bill, which would have sent the issue to the voters in November. That lost the liberals’ votes. When they removed the option of a referendum clause, that lost the conservative Democrats’ votes. After caucusing nearly all day without securing the 50th vote, Democrats emerged from their caucus room and declared the bill dead. It was a major loss for Speaker Chopp, but a victory for Second Amendment rights proponents.

On Thursday, House Republicans released the first proposed budget of the 2013 legislative session – a plan that would fund education first in a separate budget before any other programs.  I invite you to read details of this plan below.

This coming Wednesday, the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council will release the quarterly revenue forecast. This will provide the baseline upon which the state’s two-year operating budget is crafted. We’ll likely see a budget proposal released by the Senate at the end of this month.

I welcome your comments. You’ll find my contact information at the bottom of this e-mail update. Please do not hit “reply” to this report, as it will not reach me.

Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve you!

Sincerely,

Dan Kristiansen
State Representative
39th District

Fund education FIRST!

One of the bills I introduced several years ago was a proposal to create a separate education budget and fund it first before other state programs. That idea has since gone on to become one of the House Republicans’ cornerstone reforms for the state budget. Last Thursday, House Republican Budget Leader Rep. Gary Alexander unveiled a “Fund Education First” budget that would meet the expectations of the state constitution and the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision.

The stand-alone, education budget would increase K-12 funding from $13.6 billion in the current biennium to $15.1 billion in the 2013-15 fiscal cycle. It would also include accountability measures, high standards, and protect taxpayers by not raising taxes.

The Washington State Constitution says it is the state’s “paramount” duty to amply provide for the educational needs of children within its borders. Paramount means “first and foremost.” I believe if we are to live up to that duty, we must fund education FIRST!

Read more about our plan here.

Fix it BEFORE you fund it!
This week’s transportation reform: Streamlined permitting

In my previous e-mail update, I talked about the systematic problems within the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), including leaky pontoons, faulty ferries and ramps to no where. I also noted that it costs twice as much in Washington to build a highway than other states. Before we ask citizens for more money for transportation, we should get to the bottom of these problems first. In other words, “Fix it BEFORE you fund it!”

House Republicans have released a plan of reforms that we believe should be enacted BEFORE seeking more revenue for transportation. Go here to read our entire plan.

Today, I’d like to focus on one of the six reforms we have proposed:

• STREAMLINE THE PERMITTING PROCESS: House Bill 1236 would require state agencies to make a permit decision in 90 days or the permit is granted.

Washington’s permitting process unnecessarily delays projects, increases project costs, creates unnecessary uncertainty, stirs hostility toward government, leads to angry applicants and encourages project opponents to manipulate the permitting system. All too often, permitting becomes a process based on politics, not practicality. For example, it only took months for a company to secure the necessary permits to break ground in 2006 on a biodiesel production plant in Hoquiam. By contrast, it took two decades and a change of ownership before permits were issued for a gold mine that would create 200 jobs in Eastern Washington. The difference? The biodiesel plant had the support of environmentalists, but the Buckhorn mine, which would supply needed jobs in the economically depressed town of Republic, faced fierce environmental opposition.

Naysayers say transportation projects are too complicated to avoid permitting delays. But I would point to the design-build process of the Center Drive Interchange in Dupont (about 10 miles north of Olympia). In the summer of 1995, the Intel Corporation announced its decision to locate a new research, development and manufacturing design facility in Northwest Landing (a large Weyerhaeuser-owned community near Dupont.) Intel would locate there if WSDOT could build the Center Drive interchange in a short time frame. A typical WSDOT project is built in 50 months, but Intel wanted it done in 18 months, or it would locate elsewhere. After negotiations, WSDOT promised to deliver in 28 months and Intel agreed. Ultimately, the project was finished in 26 months – two years faster than a typical WSDOT project – and it cost $3 million less than anticipated. Part of the reason was that the permitting process was put on the fast track, and the environmental, bridge design and geometric design processes were done simultaneously, rather than separately.

House Bill 1236 would add certainty and eliminate unnecessary delays in the permitting process, reduce costs, and stimulate economic activity that could result in the creation of new jobs.

This week in Olympia!

Now that the first floor cutoff (March 13) has come and gone, the Senate is now holding public hearings on House bills, and the House is now holding public hearings on Senate bills. Below is the schedule for public hearings in the House committees this week. I encourage you to become involved in your state Legislature. If you’d like to learn more about how to testify in committee, go here. Click on the links below to get information about each bill. For your convenience, I have highlighted in yellow those bills and issues that are most significant to the 39th District.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee – House Hearing Room E – 10 a.m.

Technology and Economic Development Committee – House Hearing Room C – 10 a.m.

• Providing Information to Businesses – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5680
• Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5784

Government Accountability and Oversight Committee – House Hearing Room C – 1:30 p.m.

• Marijuana Initiative-502 Changes – Public Hearing on House Bill 2000

Health Care and Wellness Committee – House Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.

• Buying Health Insurance from Out of-State Carriers – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5540
• Hospitals Reporting Treatment for Bullet Wounds, Gunshot Wounds and Stab Wounds – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5305

Local Government Committee – House Hearing Room D – 1:30 p.m. 

• Six Year Building Code Cycle – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5378

Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 1:30 p.m.

• Improving Student Performance in 3rd Grade Reading – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5237

Transportation Committee – House Hearing Room B – 3:30 p.m.

• Lane and Parking Preferences to Motorcycles – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5142

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

Labor and Workforce Development Committee – House Hearing Room D – 8 a.m.

• Establishing a Farm Internship Program – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5123

Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee – House Hearing Room B – 8 a.m.

• Protecting Domestic Animals Against Gray Wolf Attacks – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5187
• Acquisition of Habitat & Recreation Lands by the State – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5054
• Derelict and Abandoned Vessels in State Waters – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5663

Public Safety Committee – House Hearing Room D – 1:30 p.m.

• Statute of Limitations RE: Sexual Abuse of a Child – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5100

Transportation Committee – House Hearing Room B – 3:30 p.m.

• Veteran’s Designation on Drivers’ Licenses – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5775
• SR 117 Designated POW/MIA Memorial Highway – Public Hearing on Senate Joint Memorial 8005

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Improving Student Achievement – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5330
• Providing Flexibility in the Education System – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5755

Early Learning and Human Services Committee – House Hearing Room C – 8 a.m.

• Powell Fatality Team Recommendations – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5315

Government Accountability and Oversight Committee – House Hearing Room E – 9 a.m.

• Day Spa Beer and Wine License – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5045

Environment Committee – House Hearing Room C – 10 a.m.

• Coal Transition Power – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5297
• Utility Conservation and I-937 – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5438 
• Out-of-State Renewable Energy and I-937 – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5400

Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee – House Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.

• Water Resources/Vitality of Local Economies – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5219

Transportation Committee – House Hearing Room B – 3:30 p.m.

• Seattle Sounders & Seattle Seahawks License Plate – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5152
• Gold Star License Plate – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5161

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

Finance Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Cannabis Taxation – Implementation, Forecasting Revenues, and Lessons Learned from the Taxation of Liquor, Cigarettes, and Other Regulated Products – Work Session

Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 1:30 p.m.

• Governor’s STEM Initiative – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5755

Events at the State Capitol

We have many groups that visit the state Capitol during the legislative session and participate in events. Here’s a look at public events planned this week.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Gifted Education Day in Washington 2013
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington Coalition For Gifted Education
Legislative Building – Columbia room
Estimated attendance: 350

State Parks Centennial 2013 — 100th birthday reception
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Legislative Bldg – 3rd Floor Mezzanine, Legislative Bldg – State Reception Rm (G)
Estimated attendance: 100 to 150

Legislative lobbying 
8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sponsored by: Our Economic Future Coalition
General Administration Auditorium
Estimated attendance: 20

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 
Poison Prevention Week – Mr. Yuk 
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington Poison Center
Legislative Bldg – 3rd Floor Mezzanine, Legislative Building – 2nd Floor Mezzanine, Legislative Building – North Foyer, Legislative Building – North Steps, Legislative Building – Rotunda, Legislative
Estimated attendance: 10

DDD – No Paid Services Awareness
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sponsored by: King County Parent Coalition and The Arc of Washington
West Campus – other, West Campus – Tivoli Fountain North Lawn, West Campus – Tivoli Fountain South Lawn
Estimated attendance: 75

ACS CAN Lobby Day 
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Columbia Room
Estimated attendance: 100

THURSDAY, MARCH 21
Purple Presence 
8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: SEIU Healthcare 775 NW
Legislative Building – Columbia Room
Estimated attendance: 25

Legislative Reception 
3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Legislative Building – Columbia Room
Estimated attendance: 100

Ecosystem Coordination Board
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by: Puget Sound Partnership
General Administration Auditorium
Estimated attendance: 75

FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Catholic Advocacy Day
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington State Catholic Conference
Legislative Building – Columbia Room
Estimated attendance: 180

 

Dan Kristiansen Home    |   About Dan    |    Dan’s Newsroom    |    Sponsored Bills    |    39th Legislative District Map

March 11, 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

In my e-mail update to you last week (click here to read it), I discussed the possibility of transportation tax increases becoming reality now that the state Supreme Court has ruled against the two-thirds vote requirement for the Legislature to raise taxes. I also noted that “before we ask voters for any new tax money, we need to make sure reforms are put into place in the state’s transportation system.”

On Thursday, House Republicans issued a package of six economic and transportation reforms that we believe must be implemented before any taxes are raised for transportation. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read through this e-mail update and learn about our reform proposals.

I welcome your comments. You’ll find my contact information at the bottom of this e-mail update. Please do not hit “reply” to this report, as it will not reach me.

Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve you!

Sincerely, 

Dan Kristiansen
State Representative
39th District

FIX IT BEFORE YOU FUND IT!

We have bridges with leaky pontoons, a faulty ferry, and money wasted because the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) built a freeway ramp in the wrong place and had to tear it out. Yet, House Democrats want a 10-cent-a-gallon increase in the state gas tax (which would make Washington the state with the highest gas tax in the nation), reinstatement of the motor vehicle excise tax (something voters eliminated with Initiative 695 in 1999) at .7 percent of vehicle value (equates to $140 per vehicle valued at $20,000), additional weight fees and more.

There is plenty of room for reforms. My House Republican colleagues and I say, “Fix it before you fund it!” That means implementing needed reforms within our state transportation system.

Last Thursday, we released a plan of economic and transportation reforms that would: create jobs, make gas tax dollars go further, ensure accountability and protect taxpayers. Here’s a look at our plan:

Creating jobs

Making gas tax dollars go further

• House Bill 1985 would exempt future state transportation projects from state and local sales and use tax.

Ensuring accountability

• House Bill 1986 would require WSDOT to report to the Legislature on engineering errors and mistakes that exceed $500,000.

Protecting taxpayers

• House Bill 1984 would limit WSDOT’s tort liability based on the amount of the department’s actual fault, instead of allowing plaintiffs to recover the entire judgment from the deeper pockets of the state.
• House Bill 1989 would limit bond terms for transportation projects to 15 years.

In the coming weeks, I will provide more details on each of these proposed reforms. You can read more about our reform plan here.

This week in Olympia!

I encourage you to become involved in your state Legislature. Below is the schedule for public hearings in the House committees this week. If you’d like to learn more about how to testify in committee, go here. Click on the links below to get information about each bill. For your convenience, I have highlighted in yellow those bills and issues that are most significant to the 39th District.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

Government Operations and Elections Committee – House Hearing Room E – 8 a.m.

• Internet Voting – Work session

Higher Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Increasing Higher Education Facilities Authority Membership – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5787 
• Regarding Access to Higher Education for Disabled Students – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5180
• Fundraising for the Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5615

Public Safety Committee – House Hearing Room D – 8:30 a.m.

• Sex Trafficking and Exploited Children – Public Hearing on Senate Bills 5308, 5488 and 5669

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

Judiciary Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Criminal Incompetency and Civil Commitment – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5176

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Promoting Safe School Buildings – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5197
• Placing Epinephrine Autoinjectors in Schools – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5104

Government Accountability and Oversight Committee – House Hearing Room E – 9 a.m.

• Beer, Wine & Spirits Theater Licenses – Public Hearing on Senate Bill 5607

Higher Education Committee – House Hearing Room A – 10 a.m.

• Student Achievement Initiative – Work Session

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

Finance Committee – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.

• Telecommunications Taxation Overview – Work Session
• Communications Services Reform – Public Hearing on House Bill 1971

Early Learning and Human Services Committee – House Hearing Room C – 1:30 p.m.

• Childhood Obesity – Work Session
• Prevention of Childhood Obesity in Early Learning Programs – Public Hearing on House Bill 1784

Events at the State Capitol

We have many groups that visit the state Capitol during the legislative session and participate in events. Here’s a look at public events planned this week.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12
AST Legislative Day / Mock Surgery
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Association of Surgical Technologist
Legislative Building – Columbia Room
Estimated attendance: 30

AmeriCorps Day
10 – 2 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington Commission for National and Community Service
Legislative Building – 3rd Floor Mezzanine
Estimated attendance: 25

Special AmeriCorps Presentation
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: AmeriCorps
Sylvester Park, Olympia
Estimated attendance: 25

WEDC Strategic Plan – Driving Washington’s Prosperity
12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington Economic Development Commission
Legislative Building – State Reception Room
Estimated attendance: 40

Head Start and ECEAP Advocacy Day Rally
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Sponsored by: Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
West Campus
Estimated attendance: 400

American Indian Lobby Day
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by: Spirit of the Red Road
Legislative Building – Columbia Room; North Steps; Rotunda
Estimated attendance: 200

THURSDAY, MARCH 14
Take a Stand for Justice: Rachel Corrie – 10 Years
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Sponsored by: The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice
Legislative Building – Columbia Room
Estimated attendance: 50

Legislative Day Orientation
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Sponsored by: Washington Association of Landscape Professionals
General Administration Auditorium
Estimated attendance: 25

FRIDAY, MARCH 15   
Latino Legislative Day
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by: Latino Civic Alliance
Flag Circle – Lawn; General Administration Building; Legislative Building – Columbia Room; North Steps
Estimated attendance: 800-1000

Special Concert
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sponsored by: Abundant Life Apostolic Church
Sylvester Park, Olympia
Estimated attendance: 150

SATURDAY, MARCH 16
Homelessness and Hunger Awareness
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sponsored by: The Evergreen State College/Washpirg
Legislative Building – North Steps
Estimated attendance: 200

Rachel: The person and the continuing struggle
1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sponsored by: Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice
Sylvester Park, Olympia
Estimated attendance: 100

Dental Dash
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sponsored by: Willamette Dental Group
Heritage Park – 5th and Water Street lawns
Estimated attendance: 250

SUNDAY, MARCH 17
Chamber Music Concert
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
PULSE concert series
Legislative Building – Rotunda
Estimated attendance: 50

Remembering Rachel
Time: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sponsored by: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace
Sylvester Park, Olympia
Estimated attendance: 200