Senate Republicans announce 2011-12 committee assignments
The Senate Republican Caucus today announced its committee assignments for the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions, including ranking (lead) Republicans on the state Senate committees. They will be: Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Ranking: Sen. Jerome Delvin Other members: Sens. Mark Schoesler, Jim Honeyford and Randi Becker Early Learning and...
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King votes for budget reductions during one-day special session
State lawmakers today approved several budget bills designed to narrow the state’s $1.1 billion budget gap during an emergency six-hour special session. Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, voted in favor of the bills, saying he supports this first step toward fiscal sustainability. “This is just a first step,” King said. “The...
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King calls largest tax increase in state history ‘very troubling’
The Washington State Senate today passed a bill amounting to the single largest operating-budget tax increase in state history. Senate Bill 6143would increase taxes by $794 million in the current biennium and nearly $1.7 billion in the 2011-13 biennium. Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, voted against the bill, saying the direction...
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Senators sign letter supporting AG lawsuit
Today Senate Republican Deputy Floor Leader Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, delivered a letter to Attorney General Rob McKenna in support of his decision to join a bipartisan, nationwide group of attorneys general challenging the constitutionalityof the national health care bill signed into law this week. These senators signed the letter: Sen....
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Raising taxes on businesses will not create jobs, King says
The Washington State Senate today passed Senate Bill 6143, which would create or raise 21 separate taxes, including the state’s business and occupations tax. This is the second time the Senate has passed the massive tax bill due to the Legislature currently being in special session until the majority can...
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King says Senate tax-bill message is ‘We just want your money’
The Washington State Senate today passed Senate Bill 6143, which would create or raise 21 separate taxes. Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, issued this statement after the measure passed by a vote of 25-23. “Before the passage of this tax package and the budget it would support, the Legislature had been...
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Bill to create anti-gang law ready to pass Senate with King’s support
House Bill 2414, which would create a criminal street gang activity nuisance law, was made eligible today by the Senate Rules Committee for a vote by the full Senate. The measure’s chief supporter in the upper chamber of the Legislature, Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, said such a law would give...
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King bill to ease small business burden passes Senate unanimously
The Washington State Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed Senate Bill 6524, which would ease the penalty for businesses that fail to pay their unemployment insurance tax in a timely manner. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, said reducing that burden will help small businesses that are struggling to survive....
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King honors Nile Valley Landslide recovery effort participants
Today the Washington State Senate adopted Senate Resolution 8690, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, honoring those whose hard work and dedication assisted in the swift recovery effort following the Nile Valley Landslide on Oct. 11. “On October 11 the Nile Valley landslide devastated our community, forcing many people out...
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