Hello friends and neighbors!
Welcome to my website! Here you will find information about what is going on in Olympia and how it affects you.
I came to Olympia this year committed to solving the continuing budget crisis with real change. That change had to include structural reforms that reduce the costs of state government. We’ve had a huge budget hole since 2009, not because of a revenue shortfall; on the contrary, revenue has continued to grow – just not as fast as spending. We needed to change the way the state does business. I am happy to report we did just that!
The supplemental operating budget we approved makes no cuts to K-12 and higher education, and preserves services for our most vulnerable citizens. Also, the Senate's bipartisan coalition plan’s architecture – which includes a $320 million reserve – gives it a good chance of remaining in balance until mid-2013.
We also approved three major reforms to help make the state's operating budget sustainable in the future: 1) reducing the cost of the state’s pension system for new hires after July 1, 2012; 2) sending a constitutinal amendment to the voters that will lower the state’s debt limit; and 3) requiring operating budgets to balance over four years.
Please keep in touch. I love hearing from my constituents, and I am committed to sharing your ideas in Olympia.
As always, thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your state senator.
Sincerely,
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