Hello friends and neighbors,

   As the state senator for the 2nd District, I’d like to welcome you to my legislative website. The 2009 legislative session saw many good bills pass, and many bad ones as well. When I first came to the Senate, I expected to help write a budget that pulls Washington out of the multi-billion dollar deficit we’re facing. I’d hoped that Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike would all be working together to find ways to make the budget work for everyone.

   The two-year operating budget that passed relies on $5 billion in one-time federal stimulus money and takes funds from other state budgets and accounts. The result is a balanced budget, but this “balanced” budget sets the state up for potentially an even greater budget shortfall in just two years. That budget will be harder, if not almost impossible to balance. We cannot count on federal stimulus money again, nor do we have funds left to take from the capital budget. I voted against the operating budget.

   Funding was siphoned from the capital budget, which I also voted against. I don’t think it’s fair or responsible to promise our citizens something and then take away the funding to use it somewhere else.

   However, I voted in favor of the transportation budget for a number of reasons. First, Pierce and Thurston Counties received funding for a number of projects that are desperately needed in our area. Second, the nickel and 9.5-cent gas taxes were instituted several years ago on the promise of delivering several projects for our state, which will now actually break ground thanks to this budget.

   As for other budget problems, I’ll need your help and input to find solutions. Democrat, Republican or Independent…it doesn’t matter to me as we are in this together. If you have a good idea, bring it to the table! Feel free to contact me by phone, mail, e-mail, or by appointment using the information provided.

   As always, thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your state senator.

   Sincerely,

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