Author Archives: fdgadmin

Push for transportation reform begins with committee hearing on King bill

Senator Curtis King Sen. Curtis King today began the Majority Coalition Caucus’ drive toward reforming the state’s transportation system by testifying in favor of his bill to return sales tax collected on transportation projects to the transportation budget, rather than diverting it to the general fund. According to King, Senate Bill 6102 – which received a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee – would actually implement something that most people believe is already happening.

“There’s a general assumption in Washington that taxes collected on transportation projects go back into the transportation budget, but that’s simply not always the case,” said King, R-Yakima, and co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “My bill would help reaffirm the state’s commitment to transportation as well as help the public regain confidence that we’re being honest stewards of their tax dollars.” Continue reading →

KATU: Wash. bill would ban tanning beds for most teens

Most teenagers wanting bronze skin would have to look elsewhere under proposed legislation in Washington state that would ban those under 18 from using tanning beds.

The bill, heard before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor on Monday, was introduced by Sen. Curtis King. The Yakima Republican said he doesn’t want to listen to another young woman tell him about fighting cancer for the rest of her life as a result of tanning during her teenage years. Click here to read the full story on KATU.com.

Reforms are the cornerstone of the 2014 session

The 2014 legislative session began today, and my priorities this year continue to be reforming state government to make it more efficient, more effective and less costly to taxpayers. In even years such as this, the session lasts only 60 days which leaves very little time to get a great deal of work accomplished. However, I am excited about the coming challenges we’ll be facing and working collaboratively with my Democrat colleagues to find amicable solutions to our state’s problems.

Perhaps the biggest issue we’ll face this year is in the area of transportation. I serve as co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and have been extremely active during the 2013 interim working on transportation issues. The Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC) held ten “feedback forums” in ten different Washington cities last fall to listen to your concerns regarding transportation. That feedback helped shape our MCC transportation proposal which begins with a series of much-needed reforms. You can find our list of proposed reforms here. Continue reading →

Keeping minors away from tanning beds

This is the second year I’ve proposed legislation aimed at making it more difficult for minors to use tanning beds. Study after study shows that this kind of UV exposure at such a young age can have devestating consequences later in life, including cancer.

I’ve been working with medical professionals such as dermatologists and others to spread the word around the capitol about this disturbing issue. I sincerely hope my bill is met with resounding support this session, and I’ll keep you apprised of its progress as it moves forward.

Streamlining education for our kids

Another issue I’ll be focusing on this session is education reform. Our smaller school districts are often overburdened by regulations and requirements handed down from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Olympia. My goal is to introduce two bills that will help streamline operations for our rural school districts to help them save much-needed revenue and free up more resources to focus on their kids.

One of my proposals would require a review of all the required reports that OSPI mandates of its school districts to see which ones are actually used. There are dozens of reports each district must complete during each school year and while larger districts like Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane may have the personnel to accomplish the task, smaller districts often have a minimal amount of staff who are already working at peak production. Continue reading →

Spotlight on Skamania: A burden on judges

One final issue I’m looking into is an unforseen burden being placed on the judicial system in Skamania County. As you know, Washington State parks – such as Beacon Rock and Spring Creek Hatchery – now require that a Discover Pass be purchased from the state before vehicles can enter the property to use any facilities or recreate.

It seems that many people are either ignoring that requirement or are apparently unaware that the area at which they are stopping is, in fact, a state park. As a result, the state has issued a multitude of fines against these individuals, causing an enormous backlog within Skamania County’s judicial system. Continue reading →

King urges Governor to come clean on carbon fuel tax

Sen. Curtis King, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, called on Governor Inslee to come clean with the Legislature on his future intentions to impose a carbon fuel tax through executive order.

“This is an issue of trust. We cannot ask the people of Washington and our job creators to support a 10-cent gas tax if the governor plans to add more taxes. The governor is about to give his state of the state address, so now is the time to be open and direct about his plans.”

Transportation co-chair says MCC is encouraged by transportation progress

Senator Curtis King Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and co-chair of the Washington State Senate Transportation Committee, indicated at the conclusion of the November special session that he is looking forward to continuing the discussion with members of the Legislature and is hopeful that agreement can be reached soon.

“Earlier this year, the Majority Coalition Caucus made a commitment to listen to taxpayers, businesses, local governments, and others around the state to hear what they want from a potential transportation package,” King said. “We visited 10 cities all over Washington and heard a variety of opinions on a host of transportation-related issues, and it’s now our responsibility to do our due diligence and consider all that input without rushing through it.” Continue reading →

ADVISORY: Seattle transportation forum moved to First Presbyterian Church

Seattle_First_Presbyterian_pano_01 In order to accommodate the sizeable expected crowd in Seattle, transportation leaders in the Washington State Senate have decided to move the scheduled transportation feedback forum from its original location to the nearby First Presbyterian Church, a facility that can comfortably hold many more attendees.

The Senate Transportation Committee is co-chaired by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way. The two have visited seven Washington cities in the past month, spending three hours at each listening to the transportation concerns of area residents. The Seattle stop will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, at Seattle First Presbyterian Church, 1013 8th Ave. Continue reading →