Hewitt calls for action on budget, reforms as midway point of session approaches
Feb. 2, 2011
OLYMPIA… The Legislature is approaching the halfway point of the 2012 legislative session. Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, issued this statement on what he feels is the Legislature’s lack of progress so far on addressing the state budget crisis and Washington’s high rate of unemployment:
“Before the session started the Senate majority leader said closing the budget gap should be our first job, and the governor wanted us to pass a full budget early. But four weeks into a 60-day session, it’s clear that when it comes to the budget the Legislature has lapsed into business as usual – in fact, we’re hearing now that a Senate budget proposal probably won’t emerge until there are less than three weeks to go. The lack of urgency on the most important issue before us is alarming.
“Now that the bill to redefine marriage has passed the Senate, I hope the majority party will join us so together we can get going immediately on the things the public sent us here to do. Meaningful action on the budget and reforms is weeks overdue. Let’s get to work.”
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For more information contact Rebecca Japhet
at (360) 786-7516 or japhet.rebecca@leg.wa.gov.