Published by JD Rossetti in The Rebel on March 23, 2018

The Democratic Controlled Legislature, the first time in Governor Inslee’s tenure, didn’t go into a special session for the first year since 2014. The Democratic majority adjourned, Sine Die, on Thursday, March 8th preceded by taking on an ambitious agenda of passing a capital budget held over from last year, a supplemental operating budget, bills to strengthen worker protections, and reforms in Washington’s net neutrality, public disclosure and the use of deadly force by police. A carbon bill (Senate Bill 6203) passed out of committee, but never came up for a vote before the
full Senate.

Supplemental Budget
The supplemental budget adds more than $750 million in net spending to the current $43.7 billion two-year state budget that was adopted last year. The budget includes no new taxes, a one-time cut in property taxes in 2019 and leaves $2.4 billion in total reserves at the end of the current budget cycle. While the main focus was on education funding, the budget also allocates money for mental health, health care and higher education.

Equal Pay Opportunity Act
House Bill 1506, sponsored by Rep. Tana Senn (D), reforms the state’s Equal Pay Act (for the first time since 1943) prohibiting employers from imposing pay secrecy policies; ensures accessibil- ity to employees through administrative and civil pathways; and prevents discrimination by gender in providing career advancements
opportunities.

Cross Laminated Timber
Honorable mention goes to Senate Bill 5450, sponsored by
Senator Marko Liias (D), signed by the Governor on March 5. Senate Bill 5450 directs the Washington State Building Code Council (WS- BCC) to adopt rules for use of cross-laminated timber (CLT). CLT is gluing several layers of lumber to form a single wood panel used as an alternative building ma- terial and could improve forest health by removing small-diameter trees that are susceptible to overcrowding and ill-suited for other uses.

Upcoming Elections
With Legislator’s out of session; the 2018 campaign begins. Every Representative and half of the Senate is up for election this year. The Washington State candidate filing deadline is May 18, 2018. Stay tuned and become informed about the candidates in your district.

As always, I truly appreciate the opportunity to provide legislative support and updates throughout the legislative session.

Sincerely,
JD Rossetti
WA Legislative Director Washington Area Council, AWPPW