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Ron Muzzall, Senator Paid family and medical leave, while a good idea, has run into complications – the state-run fund for the program is insolvent. The Employment Security Department, responsible for collection of the taxes and payment of benefits, let legislators know shortly after the start of the 2022 legislative session that the fund will have a deficit by the end of March. Funded by a payroll tax, the program provides new parents or people caring for sick loved ones a financial lifeline, but demand has outpaced supply. Despite the...
The Washington State Legislature convened at noon on Monday, Jan. 10, starting the clock on a 60-day legislative session. For the House of Representatives, at least for the first few weeks of session, that means another fully virtual format. For now, I am able to work out of my Olympia office. In the coming weeks, I will continue to push for changes that improve the public’s ability to take part in-person in the legislative process. Repealing the Long-Term Care Act There will be some tough public policy debates this session. One of the most c...
Competition is, overall, a good thing. It is what makes our sports interesting, drives our natural environment to constantly adapt and it is also what keeps private enterprise going. It pushes a business to innovate, keep prices competitive and keep customers happy. At the heart of this competition is a desire for a mutually beneficial exchange between individuals. On the other side of this coin are monopolies. Although prohibited by federal law, they do exist. Characterized by controlling a market to ensure their profitability and viability,...
The final gavel on Sunday, April 25 concluded a unique and challenging legislative session in state history. Although sometimes difficult to navigate, by-and-large working remotely during the 2021 virtual session went relatively well. Committee hearings, floor debates, even constituent meetings were all held online. Despite some of the obvious inefficiencies, we were able to get the work of the people done. Although I applaud the use of emerging communication technologies to increase citizen involvement – like remote testimony –...
The 2021 Legislative Session adjourned on April 25 and the Legislature made progress on many issues that are important to our community. First and foremost, in this historic virtual session, I worked with the Legislature to provide swift pandemic relief for families, businesses and our community – as well as lay the groundwork for long-term economic prosperity. We also made substantial investments in childcare, public health and housing affordability. The final budget prioritized helping small businesses by reducing unemployment insurance...
I have a science background and love to compare environmental systems. Some systems may mirror others to some extent but many have unique relationships. Some people have a handle on what are called key species or perhaps apex predators. These species may be important to maintain environmental balance. Often new people with a science background come into a science field with an open mind and new ideas. A new college graduate moved into the Pacific northwest with a new career in marine biology. He was stationed on the coast near saltwater. He...
In approximately the summer of 2019 the Town of La Conner was approached by members of the Hedlin family with an offer to buy the 80,000 square feet parcel of land on Maple Avenue known as the Hedlin Ballfield, which the town had leased from the family for decades. This offer allowed the Hedlins to finance the purchase of another farm property, increasing their farm holdings. After looking at the deal, the town council declined the offer as it was not financially feasible for the Town. Grants...
The 2021 legislative session is quickly coming to a close. The intensity has ramped up as lawmakers in both the Senate and House debate and vote on the state’s three main spending plans: the 2021-23 operating, capital and transportation budgets. Both chambers have their own versions of these plans. Each budget proposal is a separate bill that must obtain approval by the full Legislature before being delivered to the governor for signature. Now that the various proposals have made it through their respective chambers, budget negotiators and l...
As we near the end of the 2021 legislative session, there are a few critical policy areas that the Legislature has failed to address. While we have had bipartisan agreement on a great number of bills, these missed opportunities are worth discussing. I think that they are policies that transcend party and get to the heart of ensuring an accountable and efficient government. I wrote in my last column about the path toward an income tax and touched briefly on the state’s budget. Since then, the Senate approved its version of the two-year spending...
My greatest priorities for the 2021 legislative session are to support economic development and recovery in rural communities, promote sustainable environmental and economic health and support families and those hit hardest by the pandemic and recession. The House recently released its operating, capital and transportation budgets. I am proud to have fought for local projects and programs that will go a long way to support these priorities. Economic Recovery Washington’s recovery begins with community, which is why House Democrats built a plan...
In a stunning 5-4 decision, the Washington State Supreme Court recently ruled the state’s felony drug possession law unconstitutional. Essentially, the mere act of finding an illicit substance on someone’s person or on their property is no longer considered an arrestable offense. The ruling in State v. Blake decriminalizes the possession of all drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. The court’s decision reverses decades of convictions, related fines and imprisonment – leaving cities, counties, prosecutors and law enfor...
Ron Muzzall Senator You may be familiar with the logical fallacy of the slippery slope. Simply put, it’s the idea that a certain action or effort will eventually lead to a much larger negative outcome. As a rhetorical device, most contend it is an ineffective and disingenuous basis for an argument. However, the slippery slope is not a fallacy when there is evidence. In fact, the pattern of government is one of incrementalism. Large, sweeping changes in public policy are few and far between and the system forces compromise or minor tweaks to a...
We are more than halfway done with the 2021 legislative session and there is a lot of good news for families and businesses here in the 10th District. Here is a quick look at major bills that have passed the House and will make a meaningful difference if they get signed into law. Broadband and technology access The covid pandemic has shown the weaknesses in our state’s broadband infrastructure, especially in rural areas like our communities. Fast and reliable internet is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity, just like electricity and r...
Confronting the financial challenges caused by COVID-19 continues to be my primary focus during this session. Although there is growing confidence the rapid deployment of the vaccine may end the health pandemic, the economic impact will be felt long into the future. Unemployment continues to be a problem as thousands of individuals and families wonder how they will keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. Some industries have been more wounded than others, with jobs in retail, restaurants, even dentist offices, wiped out across...
Our state has a diverse economy, and manufacturing plays a key role. Aerospace is what usually comes to mind when we talk about manufacturing – but our state has a rich history across a number of important industries. When our state, businesses, labor and local communities collaborate to make the right decisions and investments, we will have a prosperous future producing what people around the world need. This is a bipartisan issue: Democrats and Republicans alike recognize that increasing the number of manufacturing jobs is good for our...
There are two important bills I would like to share with you. One involves rural broadband and the other health care. Both of these common-sense solutions do what good legislation should, they transcend party division by simply doing what is best for all of Washington. First, let us talk about rural broadband. More than any other previous generation, we have been forced to reimagine communication. Because of the pandemic, we communicate with each other with fewer face-to-face interactions. Online tools that enable individuals to meet virtually...
My focus for the 2021 session is simple: how can we help families, schools and businesses recover from this pandemic? It is critical that we support a sustainable economy that allows all members of our community to thrive. The Legislature and our state must prioritize economic development and recovery in rural communities, sustained environmental and economic health, and better access to higher education and family-wage jobs. Here are my top legislative priorities: Jobs – I am working on legislation that will continue to champion key K-12...
One day as Jesus was preaching in Galilee to the apostles, as recorded in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 10, an unusual event must have taken place. A sparrow must have flown past or rested on the branch of a tree and drawn the attention of Jesus. He said, “Are not two sparrows sold for next to nothing, yet not one falls to the ground without your Father’s consent?” He had spoken about difficult days ahead for the apostles. They would be imprisoned, beaten and betrayed, even by family members, because of their devotion to Jesus. These words must ha...
