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Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown will not seek re-election 5/8/2012
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown has announced that she will not be seeking re-election for her seat in Spokane's 3rd Legislative District. Calling it a tremendous honor and a gratifying experience, Senator Lisa Brown has announced that she will close a legislative career in Washington that began in 1992. As a member of the Senate, Brown broke new ground in 2005 when she became the first Democratic woman to hold the position of Majority Leader, a position she will hold until the end of the year.
Legislature passes majority of reform agenda bills 5/3/2012
At the beginning of the 2012 Legislative session, a goal of the Washington State Senate Democrats was to reshape the way Washington funds and delivers services. At the end of the session, the Legislature has passed a majority of the bills that move the state toward that goal. Out of 35 bills on the reform agenda, 22 were approved by the Legislature, including measures to make improvements to K-12 employee health insurance, identify and prevent Medicaid fraud and streamline the environmental permitting process. The bills, a mix of Senate legislation and House companion bills will save the state nearly $70 million in 2012 and over $350 million over the next five years.
Senate passes supplemental and capital budgets 4/12/2012
It took an extra 31 days, but the Washington State Senate has adjourned after passing a capital budget and a supplemental budget for the 2011-13 biennium.
Lt. Gov. Brad Owen: "The 2012 second special session of the 62nd Legislature is adjourned, Sine Die (applause)."
Budget negotiations continue into final day of session 4/12/2012
The Washington State Senate is in session is back on the floor for the 30th and final day of the third special session in the last 12 months. The goal is a compromise that will lead to the passage of a supplemental budget. Senate Republicans have issued an ultimatum that reform legislation is passed before budget is considered. Two of those bills were passed over the weekend and Sen. Kevin Ranker says it appeared the final bill; a reform that would have fully funded the state pension system was ready to be approved late Monday night.
School employee insurance reform bill passes Senate 4/9/2012
Legislation to bring equity and transparency to insurance programs for K-12 employees such as teachers, classroom assistants, bus drivers and special education teachers passed off the Senate floor over the weekend. Senate Bill 5940 would provide $26 million to create parity between the plans for K-12 and other state employees. It also requires school districts to meet certain requirements to continue to provide benefits, including: stabilizing the costs of family coverage premiums, offering a comprehensive plan with premiums comparable to the costs paid by state employees and requiring school districts to meet competitive procurement standards for all contracts. It's a work in progress, but bill sponsor Sen. Steve Hobbs says the bill moves the state closer to a fair system.
“Foot dragging” ends Saturday Senate session 4/9/2012
Action on bills that would move the Legislature closer to an agreement on a budget abruptly stopped short Saturday. After passing two of three reform bills demanded by the 22-Republican, three-Democrat coalition as an ultimatum for bringing the budget to a vote, debate on the Republicans' third bill - to reform the state pension system - was brought to a sudden halt on Saturday afternoon by the Republicans' own Senator Joe Zarelli. With just two days left in the special session after the Easter holiday, the Republicans' move leaves little time for the bills to be heard by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Sen. Ranker statement on budget negotiations 4/9/2012
On Saturday morning, Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island issued the following statement on the status of the budget negotiations.
"Facebook bill" would protect online privacy 4/6/2012
Legislation introduced in the Washington State Senate would prevent businesses from accessing the social network sites of employees and potential employees. It's being called the "Facebook Bill" and its sponsor, Senator Steve Hobbs, says it would make it illegal for an employer or potential employer in the state to request a password or any related account information to access a social networking site maintained by a current or prospective employee.
Governor signs healthcare exchange bill 3/23/2012
Uninsured Washington residents and the health care industry will benefit from the governor's signing of a bill bringing Washington in line with the Affordable Care Act. Through the newly created health care exchange and expanded Medicaid programs, Washington residents without health insurance will at last be eligible to get it. Senator Karen Keiser sponsored the Senate companion to House Bill 2319 and says the new law will help a large number of uninsured men, women and children…
Sen. McAuliffe urges gun safety program for Washington schools 3/23/2012
In the wake of three shootings in which children found their parents' guns, a Washington State senator is proposing going into the classrooms to teach children about gun safety. Eddie the Eagle is the mascot of a program that teaches children that guns are serious and dangerous tools, not toys. Under a resolution proposed by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, Eddie will bring his message to the classrooms of Washington children from preschool to the third grade.