 Senator Randi Becker
2nd District,
Eatonville
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,
Floor speech against the proposed
operating budget
Senate Sessions Video Update for February
27
Behind-the-scenes video of
Sen. Becker's Senate Sessions Video Update
Senate Sessions Video Update for February
20
Senate Sessions Video Update for February
13
Senate Sessions Video Update for February 06
Watch
Video of Sen. Becker honoring Miss Washington, Janet Harding
Watch video of Sen. Becker
testifying for SB 5817
Testimony on Behalf of SB 5817 re: Agri-Businesses
Watch video of Sen. Becker
taking the Oath of Office |
