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Labor-committee members say bills violate historic, bipartisan workers’ compensation deal

Today brought the first deadline for policy committees in the Legislature to act on bills, and several measures that survived deal with the contentious issue of workers’ compensation – a move some legislators say violates the spirit of the highly-touted 2011 bipartisan workers’ compensation reform agreement.

At the beginning of the 2011 regular session, after years of conflict, much public debate and hours of intense negotiations among the governor and House and Senate leaders, legislators reached an historic agreement on ways to reform the costly, state-run workers’ compensation system.

Three legislators, all members of labor committees, say committee approval of several bills introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate this session risks undermining last year’s deal before it has even been fully implemented and erodes the trust needed to reach big agreements on solutions moving forward. Continue reading →

King to be honored Saturday for his role in brain injury bill’s passage

On Saturday the Brain Injury Association of Washington will recognize Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, for his efforts in getting the Zackery Lystedt law through the Legislature during the 2009 legislative session.

“It’s a real honor to be recognized like this by the Brain Injury Association of Washington, especially when it is for simply doing the right thing,” said King. “I was proud to sponsor the bill in the Senate and worked across the aisle to help garner the support of my colleagues for this important piece of legislation.” Continue reading →

Deccio ‘a dear friend and colleague,’ says King

Former Washington State Sen. Alex Deccio, who served the 14th Legislative District, passed away Tuesday evening in a Yakima hospital. Deccio’s career of public service included two terms in the House of Representatives, a term as a Yakima County commissioner, service in the Senate between 1981 and 1989, and again from 1993 until his retirement in 2005. Deccio would have been 90 years old on Friday.

Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, who now serves the 14th District, issued this following statement in response to the news of Deccio’s passing: Continue reading →

Sen. King statement on the passing of Sen. Scott White

State Sen. Scott White, D-Seattle, suffered a heart attack and died last Friday. According to the coroner’s office, the 41-year-old White had an enlarged heart, a congenital condition that had not been previously diagnosed. In response to the news, Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, who served with White on the Senate Transportation Committee, issued the following statement:

“I wish to express to his family my deepest sympathies on the passing of Senator White. I had the honor and privilege of working with him this past session, not only on transportation but other issues in which we were deeply engaged. I found Senator White to be a man of high integrity, willing to work across party lines and able to listen considerately to help develop solutions that all sides were comfortable with. He was an easy person to respect and work with and his passing is a great loss to the Senate and the state of Washington.”

King to host 14th District telephone town hall meeting June 21

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, many households across the 14th Legislative District will receive a phone call from State Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, with an invitation to participate in a live, interactive telephone town hall meeting. During the hour-long event, participants will learn about the 2011 regular and special legislative sessions and share their thoughts and questions with the senator.

Only those with landlines will receive a phone call, so residents wanting to participate via cell phone or from somewhere other than their home must call toll-free 1-877-229-8493. The access code is 15281. The number will be available about 10 minutes before the town hall begins. Continue reading →

14th District lawmakers protect Yakima Valley School from closure

Up to 70 percent of residents living at Yakima Valley School for the developmentally disabled have called it home for 25 to 30 years. With the passage of Senate Bill 5459 today, the Washington State Legislaturewill allow them to remain at the Selah facility for the rest of their lives.

The measure will close the Frances Haddon Morgan developmental disability facility in Bremerton by Dec. 31, but sets in place a plan to gradually reduce the number of residents at YVS. Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, worked to keep the facility’s residents and staff in place for as long as possible. Continue reading →

King bill to allow off-road motorcycles on public roads signed into law

Today Gov. Christine Gregoire signed into law Senate Bill 5800, a measure introduced by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, to authorize the use of modified off-road motorcycles on public roads.

“My bill will allow outdoor recreationalists to use their motorcycles to get from one place to another, such as from a campsite to town and back, or from trail to trail,” King said. “I’m pleased that this measure will allow off-road motorcycle users more flexibility to enjoy their pastime without worrying about breaking the law in the process.” Continue reading →

Senate adopts King resolution to honor Yakima Health District

Members of the Washington State Senate took time Wednesday to mark the 100 years of service provided by the Yakima Health District. Senate Resolution 8654, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, was adopted unanimously.

“Back in June of 1911, the Yakima County Health District was formed to deal with a crippling outbreak of typhoid fever in the Yakima Valley,” King said. “The new agency was tasked with improving sanitation, sewage disposal and well location and construction throughout the entire county to prevent similar outbreaks in the future, and they have been doing an impressive job ever since.” Continue reading →

King to host telephone town hall meeting Wednesday

State Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, is inviting residents of the 14th Legislative District to participate in a live community conversation on Wednesday. The telephone town hall meeting regarding the 2011 legislative session will take place from 7 to 8 p.m.

Many district residents can expect an invitational phone call from King a few minutes prior to the teleforum, but those who do not may also participate from the comfort of their own homes by dialing 1-877-229-8493 and entering the code 15281.

Continue reading →