Washington Votes Forum

First act of Special Session: Waive rules

Website Director — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:18:00 GMT

The first action of the Special Session, which begins today in Olympia, was a vote by the Senate to modify transparency rules. The rule change by the Senate would allow for immediate floor action on bills after they pass a committee. Here is a good blog post describing today's action: Senate adopts rule change to speed up votes.

Special Session begins today

Website Director — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:30:00 GMT

Special Session begins today in Olympia. There are very few details available, but lawmakers are expected to continue the work they started during the regular 60-day session. Their unfinished work includes negotiating the supplemental budget and finalizing a tax package. Check back later for more details as they become available.

Its not over, Legislature headed for overtime!

Website Director — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:46:00 GMT

Special Session will begin on Monday, March 15, 2010. Legislators failed to finish their work in the provided 60-day session and will use the additional time to pass a budget and increase taxes. What are your thoughts on this?

Special Session becoming reality

Website Director — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:29:00 GMT

The Seattle Times is reporting this morning that lawmakers in Olympia have determined that a special session will be needed to finish the supplemental budget and tax packages. Do you think that lawmakers should have more time?

Senate to hear income tax bill in public hearing this afternoon.

Website Director — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:58:00 GMT

The state income tax bill scheduled for public hearing today at 4:30. SB 6250, which would create a graduated income tax, has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee today at 4:30. It is our understanding the an amendment will be offered, but it is not yet available to the public. Stay tuned!

Auto theft surcharge to cost $9.6 million per year

Website Director — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:30:00 GMT

The Senate Ways and Means Committee passes SB 6871. Along with increasing court filing fees the proposal would also add a surcharge to car insurance policies to fight auto theft. According to the I-960 fiscal impact statement, the new charge is expected to collect $9.6 million annually from auto policyholders.

Governor signs I-960 bill without vetoing advisory vote repeal

Website Director — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:51:00 GMT

Governor Gregoire signed SB 6130 as adopted by the Legislature. There was some question as to whether the Governor would veto the 2-year repeal of the non-binding advisory votes. She said that she delayed the bill signing today to consider the requests to veto that section of the bill. As a result of today's action the Washington Policy Center will be publishing an I-960 voter's pamphlet.

Senate and House release budgets

Website Director — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:37:00 GMT

Today, both the Senate and House of Representatives released their 2010 supplemental budget proposals. Each budget relies on both tax cuts and reduced spending. To see the details for each bill check out SB 6444 and HB 2824. As more details regarding these budget proposals become available we will post them here.

WashingtonVotes.org to provide information for I-960 voters' pamphlet

Website Director — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:38:00 GMT

In the wake of SB 6130, which would repeal voter protections in Initiative 960, Washington Policy Center today announced it will publish the public disclosure information that would have appeared in the voters’ pamphlet if Initiative 960 had remained in place. Click here to read the full release from the Washignton Policy Center.

House debating SB 6130 on floor

Website Director — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:01:00 GMT

The House of Representatives is debating SB 6130 on the floor of the House. SB 6130 would repeal voter protections of I-960 including eliminating the 2/3 requiremnet to raise taxes and the requirement to provide non-binding vote by the public when the legislature increases taxes. What do you think?

House of Origin cutoff for both chambers

Website Director — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:56:00 GMT

Both the Senate and the House are working towards today's House of Origin cutoff at 5:00 PM this afternoon. Did the legislation that you are tracking pass?

Budget deficit grows to $2.8 billion

Website Director — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:52:00 GMT

The state's budget outlook worsened today with news that the revenue forecast is being downgraded by $118 million. Combined with a $96 million increase in caseloads, the state's new budget deficit is projected to be $2.8 billion. What are your suggestions for closing the budget gap?

Bill would increase state sales tax by 1%

Website Director — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:52:00 GMT

The House has introduce HB 3183 entitled the economic crisis revenue bill. HB 3183 would increase the state's sales tax by 1%. What do you think?

Senate to reconsider yesterday's vote on I-960

Website Director — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:10:00 GMT

SB 6843, which was adopted only yesterday by the Senate, would have retained the transparency provisions of the Taxpayer Protection Act (I-960). However, those voting in favor of the bill didn't know they were preserving the transparency provision requirements so the Senate plans to revote and remove these provisions today. Keep checking back for additional updates on suspension of I-960.

2/3 requirement passes Senate

Website Director — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:43:00 GMT

Senate passes SB 6843. The Senate voted to "temporarily" suspend the 2/3 vote requirements for tax increases enacted multiple times by voters. The vote was 26 to 23. The full Senate adopted an amendment that limited its changes to only the 2/3 vote restriction. Next up for the proposal is debate in the House. See more at WAVotes.org

Cutoff for House Fiscal Bills

Website Director — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:40:00 GMT

Tuesday, February 9 is the cutoff for bills to move from fiscal committees in the House. The fiscal cutoff for Senate bills was last Friday. Here is a good report highlighting many of the bills that did not pass the cutoff in the Senate. Of course the caveat to all of this is that the Legislature can ignore their own rules and bring bills along later in the process.

Legislature considers bill to suspend 2/3 tax requirement

Website Director — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:38:00 GMT

SB 6843, which would eliminate the 2/3 vote requirement to increase taxes, was introduced today in the Senate. In addition to removing the 2/3 requirement, SB 6843 would also eleminate the requirement for the state to provide the 10 year fiscal impact statement and other provisions adopted through I-960, as approved by statewide voters. Is this a good idea?

House passes bills related to public safety

Website Director — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:02:00 GMT

Today the House is working on bills to provide greater community safety. They include: HB 2625 which requires an judicial review on an individual basis for bail related to felony offenses and HB 2422 to expand the list of those notified when a person escapes or disappears from a DSHS or mental health facility. Both bills passed by a vote of 96 to 0. In addition the House is considering bills to provide greater benefits for persons that serving in law enforcement.

Non-fiscal cuttoff passes, check and see if legislation survived

Website Director — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:00 GMT

Yesterday was cuttoff for non-fiscal committees, check at WashigntonVotes.org and see what is still alive. Rememeber non-fiscal committees still have a little more time before the cuttoff for house of origin.

HB 2772 would require the state to account for carbon reductions

Website Director — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:05:00 GMT

Bill of the Day: HB 2772 requires any state expenditure aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to provide information on its intended carbon reduction plans, as well as the overall cost of these efforts. The bill would also require the state to regularly audit the cost per ton of carbon reduced to assure that the act the state is receiving the results that were promised. Is this a good idea?

Bill of the Day: Eliminating fossil fuel imports

Website Director — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:26:00 GMT

Bill of the Day: HB 2658 would allow the State Dept. of Commerce to establish standards and goals for the State's energy policies, as well as reform various elements of the overall agency. The bill , among other things, would require the state to reduce imports of fossil fuels, in addition to adopting clean energy standars. (See also SB 6515 and SB 6421)

House passes collective bargaining bill

Website Director — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:10:00 GMT

Today the House approved the passage of HB 1329 by a vote of 62 to 35. HB 1329 allows child care workers and directors the ability to use collective bargaining. Is this a good idea?

HB 2780 would limit the use of traffic light cameras and fines

Website Director — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:15:00 GMT

A public hearing is scheduled this afternoon for HB 2780 in the House Tranportation Committee. HB 2780 would limit the use of traffic safety cameras, as well as the fines for violations captured by the cameras. As written, the bill would limit the use of traffic safety cameras to two arterial intersections and would require that the traffic lights be set to allow for a longer, four second yellow light. The bill also limits the fine for violations captured by the cameras to no more than $25 per infraction. Is this a good idea?

Bill of the Day: HB 2872 - allowing time to review the budget

Website Director — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:13:00 GMT

Today's Bill of the Day is HB 2872, which would require the Legislature to take a 72-hour timeout before voting on the state's operating, capital and transportation budgets. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Alexander, is being heard by the House Ways & Means Committee today at 3:30 PM. Here is a good op-ed in today's Olympian explaining how this bill would provide additional sunshine on the budget process in our state: Public deserves 72 hours to see how money is spent.

Listen to WashingtonVotes.org Legislative Update

Website Director — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:01:00 GMT

Each week WashingtonVotes.org sends out a Roll Call Report to more than 30 newspapers across the state. In addition we will be providing weekly updates via the radio on the David Boze show at KTTH 770 and T.V. with NW Cable News. Here is a link to our first update on the David Boze Show. Let us know what you think.