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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
An update on my legislation
In light of House policy committee cutoff, this is currently where my bills stand:
HB 1079 – allowing two agencies to jointly enter a contract to save costs. Awaiting floor consideration.
HB 1279 – creating a local tourism promotion area for Federal Way. Passed out of the House Community Development and Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee Feb. 17.
HB 1986 – permitting collective bargaining between counties and uniformed personnel regarding the payment of retirement-plan-contribution pick-ups required by federal tax regulation. Heard in the House Labor Committee Feb. 16.
HB 1987 – extending interest arbitration under the Public Employee's Collective Bargaining Act to some county court marshals. Passed out of the House Labor Committee Feb. 19.
HB 2121 – requiring certain documents be given to prospective tenants of a mobile home lot prior to signing a rental agreement. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
HB 1330, increasing penalties for eluding a police officer on a highway, did not progress this session. However, many provisions in the bill are being rolled into another bill before the House Public Safety Committee.
Today is the first major cutoff of the 2015 legislative session – policy committee cutoff. This means any bill that does not make it out of a policy committee is “dead” for the session. That said, please keep in mind there are several ways a bill deemed “dead” can still move through the legislative process.
In future emails, I'll do my best to keep you updated on major bills making their way through the process.
Remembering our deceased lawmakers
On Wednesday we honored our recently deceased lawmakers in a joint Senate-House ceremony. As you remember, former Rep. Roger Freeman tragically lost his life to cancer in October. I had the utmost respect for him as my seatmate and an advocate for our communities, and he is greatly missed.
Honoring our veterans
This week I sponsored a resolution honoring retired Army Master Sgt. James Hayden, who fought in both WWII and the Korean War. James began his more than 18-year service in 1944, and received a Purple Heart for his heroism. When his family contacted me several months ago to help him obtain his Silver Star, Korean War and POW medals, I wanted to help.
In September, James was presented his medals during a ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. You can read more about his story and the ceremony here.
Children's Day at the Capitol
Last Monday was Children's Day in Olympia and my legislative assistant, Joseph, brought his two boys and his wife down for the day. Here I am with Alex and Joseph Atkinson, Jr. on the House floor!
Reminder: Town Hall March 14
I am hosting an in-person town hall March 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Federal Way City Hall. I hope you'll join me and bring your questions! Here's the address:
Federal Way City Hall
33325 8th Ave. S.
Federal Way, WA 98003
Capital budget projects
There are a number of projects we'd like to get started and completed in the 30th District. Funding for these projects usually requires cooperation from many different agencies, municipalities and governments. Here are some projects I'm working on with my colleagues on the House Capital Budget Committee, which funds construction projects, repairs and other related costs, and infrastructure needs (not related to transportation):
- Funding for the Federal Way Performing Arts Center
- Improvements to Algona and Pacific's city halls
- Redondo waterfront boardwalk improvements
If you ever have any ideas or suggestions for solutions you'd like me to pursuit in the state Legislature, please contact me. I want to hear your questions and concerns.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you.
Sincerely,
Linda Kochmar
