Dear Friends,

The 2009 session was a painful one for the people of Washington.

Instead of balancing our state budget by reducing spending, the Democrat majority continued to spend.

They preserved their non-essential “favorite” programs while cutting vital programs that help our most vulnerable citizens.

Thanks to one-time federal money, they have postponed an estimated $2.6 billion deficit until 2011.

Despite these setbacks, I was able to help foster kids with some legislation that will give them more security. I also obtained a little more help for Highway 2 – although not nearly enough – and passed a bill to create a pilot project to contract-out much of Child Protective Services’ work. That’s almost as good as breaking up DSHS.
 

As promised, I honored my commitment to vote NO on any bill that would raise your taxes.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you in Olympia.