Published by JD Rossetti in The Rebel on November 17, 2017

For the first time since 2012, Democrats will retake control of the state Senate. Manka Dhingra received above 55 percent of the vote in King County’s 45th legislative district, handing Washington Democrats control of the governorship and both state legislative bodies for the next year.

Republicans currently control the Senate with a coalition that gives them a one-vote majority. The switch will officially occur in December when the results of the election are certified, but work on the Democrats’ reorganization is already underway.

Adjourning after three special legislative sessions, a capital budget was not approved by the legislature, suspending hundreds of construction projects around the state that supports more than 19,000 jobs. The capital budget was put on hold after lawmakers were unable to come to an agreement on a fix for the Hirst decision, a court ruling that determined residents and counties must provide water surveys when drilling new wells.

The Republican-led Senate Majority Caucus insisted on hav- ing a fix, arguing the decision overburdens residents and blocks economic development in rural areas. Democrats in the House offered a two-year delay to the ruling, but the two sides were unable to come to an agreement.

A Democratic controlled legislature will begin the 60-day 2018 legislative session working on a capital budget and finding a way to address the Hirst decision on water rights.

A Democratic controlled legislature could also mean more discussion on Democratic priorities such as women’s health, gun
control, campaign finance re- form, and a carbon tax.

I will be following these and other issues that may have an impact on the AWPPW.

If you are interested in following what’s going on in the legislative session, visit www. leg.wa.gov or tune into tvw.org. If you want to find and contact your legislators go to http:// app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder. Also, “The Stand” is an email publication brought to you by the Washington State Labor Council. Sign up to receive this email publication at wslc.org.

I am grateful for the opportunity to continue providing legislative support and updates through the upcoming 2018 legislative session.

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