Author Archives: fdgadmin

King says failure to pass transportation package not due to lack of effort

20140312_LegWA_0105abAt a news conference today – one day before the scheduled end of the 2014 legislative session – Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, lamented the fact that lawmakers did not pass an agreed-upon transportation revenue and reform package before adjourning. King added that the Majority Coalition Caucus, which leads the state Senate, repeatedly made compromises sought by the Senate minority, but to no avail.

“During the 2013 transportation feedback forum tour, we visited ten cities across Washington in five weeks. The vast majority of citizens made it clear that they wanted reforms before they’d accept any gas-tax increase, and we listened to the people.”

“From the very beginning, the MCC has prioritized reforms, and additional revenue was never off the table. But in the end, the Senate’s minority Democrats weren’t serious about making the tough reforms. They were more interested in tax increases and sound bites, despite knowing as well as I do that the state can’t win public support for a multibillion-dollar transportation package without first establishing that we are serious about fixing the waste, mismanagement and abuse that exists within the system.” Continue reading →

King supports minimal changes for second year of transportation budget

20140304_LegWA_4097shThe state Senate last night approved minor adjustments to the state’s 2013-15 transportation budget that will continue maintenance and preservation of Washington roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Sen. Curtis King, co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, says the modest changes he supports through Senate Bill 6001 are not about adding spending for new projects but simply continue to fund existing work.

“Because of the hard work we put into the biennial transportation budget last year, there were very few areas that needed adjustment in 2014,” said King, a Yakima Republican who represents the 14th Legislative District. “Supplemental budgets are meant to address unforeseen issues, appropriations that didn’t balance right or issues that are time-sensitive. They’re not meant to be another bite at the apple.” Continue reading →

Talking transportation reform with Sen. Curtis King

Audio FileWashington State’s 14th District Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, and co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, talks about the reforms needed in the Washington State Department of Transportation and why they’ve been unable to move forward.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

King bill to let rural districts save through shorter school weeks passes Senate

king_120Small, rural school districts could transition to a money-saving, four-day school week if a bill proposed by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, becomes law. Senate Bill 6242 would make permanent a 2009 pilot program set to expire this year that allows up to five school districts with fewer than 500 students to condense their school week.

“The communities of Bickleton and Paterson have taken advantage of this pilot program and found it to be an excellent cost-saver,” King said. “In talking with the superintendents of these school districts, they have found the shortened week has not affected their educational standards and they’ve been able to maintain the same level of quality education as before. It’s really working well for them, and my bill will allow them to keep going.” Continue reading →

Sen. King on his bill to allow shorter school weeks

Audio FileWashington State’s 14th District Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, talks about his bill to make permanent a 2009 pilot program set to expire this year that allows up to five school districts with fewer than 500 students to condense their school week.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

King bill protecting minors from the dangers of tanning beds passes Senate

Tanning BEds FDAMembers of the State Senate voted 40-8 Wednesday, approving a bill that would protect children under the age of eighteen from the harmful effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation associated with tanning devices. Senate Bill 6065, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, would require users of UV tanning equipment to present proof of age by presenting a driver’s license or other legal form of identification.

“It is difficult to hear about people dealing with cancer as a result of something they did in their teens,” said King, who represents the 14th Legislative District. “The state needs to implement some common-sense measures to prevent needless tragedies like this, and my bill will help protect kids from an increased risk of melanoma.”

In addition to requiring the proof of age identification, SB 6065 would also hit tanning facilities that allow individuals under age 18 with a $250 fine. It’s a first step, King says, toward hopefully educating our state’s youth about the dangers associated with underage tanning. Continue reading →

Tanning bed legislation heading for a floor vote

Tanning BEds FDA

Senate Bill 6065, my bill to protect children under the age of eighteen from the harmful effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation associated with tanning devices, has received a public hearing and been approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor. It is now awaiting a vote by the full Senate, after which it would be considered again by the House of Representatives. Continue reading →

Allowing for more four-day school weeks

school

This year, I’ve proposed Senate Bill 6242, which will hopefully make permanent the pilot program that allows smaller school districts (those with less than 500 students) to move to a four-day school week.

Since the pilot program is due to expire this year, my bill will implement the four-day option for smaller school districts permanently. Continue reading →