Tag Archives: Senate

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 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 bill to align state with federal transportation law passes Senate

The Washington State Senate today voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 5260, which removes the 75-foot length limit for saddlemount vehicle combinations from Washington State Law and increases the limit to 97 feet.

“You’ve probably seen these vehicle combinations on freeways around the state. Often it’ll be a chain of tractor-trailer cabs,” said Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and sponsor of the bill. “This bill will bring Washington into compliance with the federal standard.” Continue reading →

King co-sponsors resolution to honor fallen DOT worker

On Jan. 16, Billy “Bud” Rhynalds was killed by a falling tree during a storm while he set up safety cones on State Route 203 near Carnation, in rural King County. Today, members of the Washington State Senate paused to remember Rhynalds, a 12-year maintenance employee with the Washington State Department of Transportation.

“He was helping to protect motorists from water over the roadway during that powerful storm,” said Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, “and he ended up giving his life for them. It’s something we don’t often think about, and I’m proud to support this resolution honoring Mr. Rhynalds.” Continue reading →

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 state still has to make more changes if we are to complete the current fiscal year without having a deficit, and even when we close the budget gap for the current biennium, the state will still be facing another multi-billion dollar shortfall going into the 2011-13 biennium. There are some vital structural reform proposals that need to be looked at in January if we’re going to get the state back on the right track.” Continue reading →

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 it takes the state is very troubling. Continue reading →