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SECOND DAY
MORNING SESSION
House Chamber, Olympia, Tuesday, January 14, 1997
The House was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by the Speaker. The Clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.
The flag was escorted to the rostrum by the American Legion Department Color Guard. Prayer was offered by Reverend Sam McKinney, Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Reverend McKinney: O God, four years ago we gathered in this place to welcome Michael Lowry as Governor of Washington State. He has served as a King county Council person, a U.S. Representative to Congress and Governor.
We pray that history will accord him his rightful place as one who placed human needs and concerns above individual and special interest gain, who was committed to the inclusion of all persons and groups into society’s mainstream.
He dreamed that this state would gather all the varying threads represented here and create a single garment of destiny to cover us all. This garment would be the envy of all other states.
We ask your blessings and mercies upon all successes and shortcomings of this administration.
We pray that Governor Elect Locke will welcome and receive the torch of leadership passed onto him. We further pray that those elected and appointed officials will rise above precinct and parochial politics and guarantee for all excellence in education, fairness in taxation, opportunities in employment, justice in the courts, security in senior years and wholesome trade in the marketplace. Usher in a new day of integrity, civility, and righteousness in all that is done in this state.
Now, smile, we pray upon Governor Mike Lowry as he transitions into another phase of his life -- may your canopy of goodwill cover him, your presence under him, your love surround him and your peace dwell within him.
We finally pray that this State will forge new ties in serving the needs of the least, last, lost, left out, letdown, locked in, locked out and locked up.
Grant us wisdom, grant us power for the living of this day.
Grant us wisdom, grant us power that we serve this present age.
Grant us wisdom, grant us power that we fail not humanity nor thee.
Amen.
Reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was ordered to stand approved.
There being no objection, the House advanced to the fourth order of business.
INTRODUCTIONS AND FIRST READING
HB 1090 by Representatives Radcliff, Dickerson, Fisher, Carrell, Van Luven, Robertson and O'Brien
AN ACT Relating to lists of registered and legal owners of vehicles; and amending RCW 46.12.370.
Referred to Committee on Transportation Policy & Budget.
HB 1091 by Representatives Sterk, Cody, Backlund, Kenney, D. Sommers, Hatfield, Dunn, O'Brien, Lantz, Kessler, Murray, Costa, Quall, Anderson and Conway
AN ACT Relating to third degree assault of health care personnel; amending RCW 9A.36.031; and prescribing penalties.
Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
HB 1092 by Representatives Dyer, B. Thomas and Zellinsky
AN ACT Relating to charitable donations for children; and amending RCW 70.200.010.
Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
HB 1093 by Representatives D. Schmidt, Costa, D. Sommers, Dunn, O'Brien and Anderson
AN ACT Relating to election laws; amending RCW 29.04.050, 29.04.120, 29.04.170, 29.07.010, 29.07.120, 29.07.260, 29.08.080, 29.10.100, 29.13.010, 29.13.020, 29.15.025, 29.15.050, 29.30.101, 29.36.013, 29.57.010, 29.57.070, 29.57.090, 29.57.100, 29.57.130, 29.57.140, 29.57.150, and 29.57.160; and repealing RCW 29.57.030, 29.57.080, 29.57.110, and 29.57.120.
Referred to Committee on Government Administration.
HB 1094 by Representatives D. Schmidt, Costa, D. Sommers and Anderson
AN ACT Relating to election costs; and amending RCW 29.13.047.
Referred to Committee on Government Administration.
HB 1095 by Representatives Pennington, Hatfield, Alexander and Dunn
AN ACT Relating to used mobile homes; and amending RCW 82.45.032.
Referred to Committee on Finance.
HB 1096 by Representatives Sheahan, Costa, Lambert, Scott and Hatfield
AN ACT Relating to the payment of fees; amending RCW 6.17.020, 9.94A.140, 9.94A.145, and 13.40.145; and reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.120 and 9.94A.142.
Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
HB 1097 by Representatives Costa, Sheahan, Scott and Hatfield
AN ACT Relating to publication of notice in dependency cases; and amending RCW 13.34.080.
Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
HB 1098 by Representatives Carlson, H. Sommers, Cooke, Conway, Sehlin, Ogden, Wolfe, Blalock, Constantine, Tokuda, Hatfield, Dunn, Wood, O'Brien, Veloria, Kessler, Cairnes, Murray, Keiser, Sheldon, Anderson, Cody, Kenney, Scott, Dunshee and Mason; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to the teachers' retirement system plan III contribution rates; and amending RCW 41.32.8401 and 41.45.061.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1099 by Representatives Cooke, Ogden, Sehlin, Carlson, Wolfe, H. Sommers, Dyer, Cairnes, Murray and Mason; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to transferring prior service in the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' pension system plan I; and adding a new section to chapter 41.26 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1100 by Representatives Wolfe, Carlson, H. Sommers, Sehlin, Ogden, Zellinsky, Dyer, Murray, Anderson, Conway and Mason; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to minimum benefits in the Washington state patrol retirement system; adding a new section to chapter 43.43 RCW; decodifying RCW 43.43.275 and 43.43.277; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1101 by Representatives Ogden, Conway, Sehlin, Carlson, Wolfe, Robertson, Blalock, Gombosky, Dunshee, Tokuda, Hatfield, Morris, O'Brien, Veloria, Kessler, Keiser, Costa, Sheldon, Quall, Scott and Anderson; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to death benefits in the volunteer fire fighters' relief and pension system; amending RCW 41.24.160; adding a new section to chapter 41.24 RCW; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1102 by Representatives Lambert, H. Sommers, Cooke, Carlson, Conway, Ogden and Mason; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to retirement benefits based on the definition of excess compensation; and amending RCW 41.50.150.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1103 by Representatives Sehlin, Carlson, Ogden, Cairnes and Anderson; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to eligibility for survivor benefits; amending RCW 41.32.520 and 41.40.270;
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1104 by Representatives H. Sommers, Cooke, Carlson, Ogden, Sehlin and Mason; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to restrictions on postretirement employment; amending RCW 41.26.490, 41.32.010, 41.32.480, 41.32.570, 41.32.800, 41.32.860, 41.40.150, 41.40.690, and 41.50.130; reenacting and amending RCW 41.40.010 and 41.40.023; adding new sections to chapter 41.32 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.40 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.50 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1105 by Representatives Ogden, Sehlin, H. Sommers, Lambert, Carlson, Wolfe, Anderson and Scott; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to retirement credit for leave for legislative service; adding a new section to chapter 43.43 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1106 by Representatives Conway, Wolfe, Ogden, Dunn, Morris, Keiser, Anderson, Cody and Mason; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy
AN ACT Relating to receipt of the proportionate share of investment earnings by the pension funding account; amending RCW 43.84.092; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
HB 1107 by Representatives Buck, Boldt, Doumit, Hatfield, McMorris, Kessler, Sheldon, Schoesler, Mastin, Sump, Morris, Johnson and DeBolt
AN ACT Relating to county excise tax on harvesters of timber; and amending RCW 84.33.051, 84.33.035, 84.33.040, and 84.36.473.
Referred to Committee on Finance.
HB 1108 by Representatives Carlson, Radcliff, O'Brien, Kenney, Mason, Dunn, Kessler and Quall; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board
AN ACT Relating to financial aid account flexibility between state work study and state need grant programs; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.85 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
HB 1109 by Representatives Carlson, Radcliff, O'Brien, Kenney, Mason, Dunn, Kessler and Quall; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board
AN ACT Relating to authorizing the higher education coordinating board to conduct pilot programs in alternative tuition setting for distance education, packaging tuition and fees, and enrollment agreements with other states; and adding new sections to chapter 28B.80 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
HB 1110 by Representatives Chandler, Mastin, McMorris, Koster, Delvin, Mulliken, Schoesler and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to water resources; adding a new section to chapter 90.03 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.21A RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 43.27A RCW.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
HB 1111 by Representatives Chandler, Koster, Delvin, Mulliken, Johnson, B. Thomas and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to granting water rights; and adding a new section to chapter 90.03 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
HB 1112 by Representatives Chandler, Mastin, Koster, Delvin, Mulliken, Johnson, B. Thomas and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to general adjudication proceedings for water rights; and amending RCW 90.03.160, 90.03.170, 90.03.190, 90.03.200, 90.03.210, and 90.03.243.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
HB 1113 by Representatives Chandler, Mastin, McMorris, Koster, Delvin, Mulliken, Johnson, Schoesler and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to water transfers and changes; amending RCW 90.03.380, 90.44.100, 90.03.290, and 90.44.445; and adding a new section to chapter 90.03 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
HB 1114 by Representatives Mastin, Chandler, McMorris, Delvin, Mulliken, Johnson, Schoesler and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to reclaimed water; amending RCW 90.46.010, 90.46.080, and 90.46.090; adding a new section to chapter 90.48 RCW; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
HB 1115 by Representatives Mastin, Chandler, McMorris, Koster, Delvin, Mulliken, Johnson, Dyer and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to the water-related actions of the department of ecology; amending RCW 43.21B.110, 43.21B.130, 43.21B.240, 43.21B.310, 43.27A.190, 90.03.383, 90.14.130, 90.14.190, 90.14.200, and 90.66.080; reenacting and amending RCW 34.05.514; adding new sections to chapter 43.21B RCW; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
HB 1116 by Representatives Mastin, Chandler, McMorris, Delvin and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to the hydraulic continuity of ground and surface waters; and adding new sections to chapter 90.44 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
HB 1117 by Representatives Benson, Sheahan, Costa, D. Sommers, McDonald, Gombosky, Mulliken, Robertson, O'Brien, D. Schmidt, Backlund, Sterk, Wood, Sheldon, Quall, Anderson, Boldt and DeBolt
AN ACT Relating to penalties for the supplying of liquor to or the consumption of liquor by persons under the age of twenty-one; amending RCW 66.44.270; and prescribing penalties.
Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.
HB 1118 by Representatives Mastin, Chandler, Johnson, Boldt and Honeyford
AN ACT Relating to water rights claims; amending RCW 90.14.041 and 90.14.071; and adding new sections to chapter 90.14 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
HB 1119 by Representatives Schoesler, Sheldon, Buck, Hatfield, Johnson, Kessler and Boldt
AN ACT Relating to private timber purchaser reporting; amending RCW 84.33.0501; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Finance.
HB 1120 by Representatives Koster, Costa, Johnson and Scott; by request of Board of Education
AN ACT Relating to school district territory included in city and town boundary extensions; and amending RCW 28A.315.250.
Referred to Committee on Education.
HB 1121 by Representatives Veloria, Cooke, Tokuda, Wolfe, Dunn and Costa
AN ACT Relating to dependent children; amending RCW 13.34.030; and reenacting and amending RCW 13.34.130 and 13.34.145.
Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.
HB 1122 by Representatives Veloria, Tokuda, Cody and Mason
AN ACT Relating to mitigation of impacts of siting a baseball stadium; and amending RCW 82.14.360 and 36.100.037.
Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.
MOTION
On motion by Representative Lisk, the bills listed on the day’s introduction sheet under the fourth order of business were referred to the committees so designated.
SIGNED BY THE SPEAKER
The Speaker announced he was signing: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4400,
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4401,
Sergeant-at-Arms announced the arrival of the Senate at the bar of the House.
The Speaker instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House and Senate to escort the President of the Senate Joel Pritchard, President Pro Tem Irv Newhouse, Majority Leader Dan McDonald and Minority Leader Sid Snyder to seats on the Rostrum.
The Speaker invited the Senators to seats within the House chamber.
The Speaker declared the joint session to be in order. The House and Senate clerks called the roll. A quorum was present.
The Speaker: This joint session has more than one purpose. It has been called to hear the State of the State address of the Governor. This occasion also provides the Legislature with the most appropriate opportunity to recognize the retiring state officials for their long and effective service to the state of Washington. The Joint Session also complies with the constitutional requirement of canvassing the vote for and against referendums and initiatives, and for the constitutional elective officers. For this latter purpose, the Clerk will read the message from the Secretary of State.
MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE
The Honorable Speaker of the House
State House of Representatives
Olympia, Washington
Dear Mr. Speaker:
I, Ralph Munro, Secretary of State of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that according to the provisions of RCW 29.62.130, I have canvassed the returns of the 2,293, 895 votes cast by the 3,078,128 registered voters of the state for and against the initiatives which were submitted to the vote of the people at the state general election held on the 5th day of November, 1996, as received from the County Auditors.
Initiative to the People 655
“Shall it be a gross misdemeanor to take, hunt, or attract black bears with bait, or to hunt bears, cougars, bobcat or lynx with dogs?”
Yes 1,387,577
No 815,385
Initiative to the People 670
“Shall the secretary of state be instructed to place a ballot notice concerning congressional and legislative candidates who have not supported Congressional term limits?”
Yes 937,873
No 1,146,865
Initiative to the People 671
“Shall amended tribal/state agreements be authorize permitting limited electronic gaming on Indian lands for tribal government purposes, with joint regulation and specified use of revenues?”
Yes 934,344
No 1,222,492
Initiative to the Legislature 173
“Shall the state pay scholarship vouchers for primary and secondary students to attend voucher-redeeming private or public schools or choice?”
Yes 775,281
No 1,406,433
Initiative to the Legislature 177
“Shall voters be authorized to create “renewed” school districts where nonprofit organizations may operate publicly-funded “independent” public schools with parental choice and revised state regulation?”
Yes 762,367
No 1,380,816
I further certify that, according to the provisions of RCW 43.07.030, I have canvassed the returns of the votes cast at the state general election held on the 5th day of November, 1996, for all federal, state-wide, legislative and joint judicial offices, and that the votes cast for candidates for these offices are as follows:
President/Vice-President of the United States
Bill Clinton/Al Gore (D) 1,123,323
Bob Dole/Jack Kemp (R) 840,712
Ralph Nader/Winona LaDuke (IC) 60,322
Ross Perot/Pat Choate (REF) 201,003
Monica Gail Moorehead/Gloria LaRiva (WWP) 2,189
Charles E. Collins/Rosemary Giumarra (IC) 2,374
Howard Phillips/Herbert W. Titus (UST) 4,578
James E. Harris/Laura Garza (SWP) 738
Harry Browne/Jo Jorgensen (LBP) 12,522
John Hagelin/Vinton D. “Mike” Tompkins (NLP) 6,076
U. S. Representative, District 1
Jeff Coopersmith (D) 122,187
Rick White (R) 141,948
U. S. Representative, District 2
Kevin Quigley (D) 122,728
Jack Metcalf (R) 124,655
Karen Leibrant (NLP) 9,561
U. S. Representative, District 3
Brian Baird (D) 122,230
Linda Smith (R) 123,117
U. S. Representative, District 4
Rick Locke (D) 96,502
Doc Hastings (R) 108,647
U. S. Representative, District 5
Judy Olson (D) 105,166
George R. Nethurcutt, Jr. (R) 131,618
U. S. Representative, District 6
Norm Dicks (D) 155,467
Bill Tinsley (R) 71,337
Ted Haley (IC) 5,561
Michael Huddleston (NLP) 3,545
U. S. Representative, District 7
Jim McDermott (D) 209,753
Frank Kleschen (R) 49,341
U. S. Representative, District 8
Dave Little (D) 90,340
Jennifer Dunn (R) 170,691
U. S. Representative, District 9
Adam Smith (D) 105,236
Randy Tate (R) 99,199
David Gruenstein (NLP) 5,432
Governor
Gary Locke (D) 1,296,492
Ellen Craswell (R) 940,538
Lieutenant Governor
Brad Owen (D) 1,022,878
Ann Anderson (R) 989,661
Shawn Newman (REF) 78,510
Art Rathjen (LBP) 39,277
Secretary of State
Phyllis Kenney (D) 838,632
Ralph Munro (R) 1,223,769
Gary P. Gill (NLP) 73,229
State Treasurer
Mike Murphy (D) 1,155,498
Lucy DeYoung (R) 939,578
State Auditor
Brian Sonntag (D) 1,338,577
Robert B. Keene, Jr. (R) 747,378
Attorney General
Christine Gregorie (D) 1,280,955
Richard Pope (R) 756,639
Richard Shepard (LBP) 58,672
Luanne Coachman (NLP) 37,320
Commissioner of Public Lands
Jennifer Belcher (D) 1,098,548
Bruce Mackey (R) 940,154
Marc Strauch (NLP) 68,011
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Teresa “Terry” Bergeson (NP) 1,260,885
Ron Taber (NP) 729,080
Insurance Commissioner
Deborah Senn (D) 1,163,832
Anthony “Tony” Lowe (R) 872,280
Steve Sevick (NLP) 66,348
State Supreme Court Justice, Position 1
Barbara Durham (NP) 1,450,710
State Supreme Court Justice, Position 2
Charles Z. Smith (NP) 1,386,878
State Supreme Court Justice, Position 3
Charles W. Johnson (NP) 975,945
Douglas J. Smith (NP) 592,007
Court of Appeals, Division II, District 2, Position 1
(Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston)
Joyce “Robin” Hunt (NP)
174,476
Court of Appeals, Division III, District 1, Position 1
(Ferry, Lincoln, Okanagan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens)
Phillip J. Thompson (NP) 114,583
Court of Appeals, Division III, District 3, Position 1
(Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Kilckitat, Yakima)
Stephen M. Brown (NP) 79,665
Court of Appeals, Division III, District 3, Position 2
(Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Yakima)
Frank L. Kurtz (NP) 57,576
Susan Cawley (NP) 40,982
Superior Court Judge, Position 1
(Chelan, Douglas)
Carol A. Wardell (NP) 24,555
Superior Court Judge, Position 2
(Chelan, Douglas)
T. W. “Chip” Small (NP) 23,930
Superior Court Judge, Position 3
(Chelan, Douglas)
John E. Bridges (NP) 23,788
Superior Court Judge, Position 2
(Ferry, Pend Orielle, Stevens)
Larry M. Kristianson (NP) 16,323
Superior Court Judge, Position 1
(Island, San Juan)
Alan R. Hancock (NP) 24,297
Superior Court Judge, Position 1
(Klickitat, Skamania)
E. Thompson “Tom” Reynolds (NP) 7,181
Superior Court Judge, Position 1
(Pacific, Wahkiakum)
Joel Penoyar (NP) 8,280
State Senator, District 1
Rosemary McAuliffe (D) 24,119
Ian Elliot (R) 20,823
State Representative, District 1, Position 1
Al O’Brien (D) 11,212
Tim Olsen (R) 11,098
State Representative, District 1, Position 2
Judy J. Janes (D) 10,206
Mike Sherstad (R) 12,068
State Representative, District 7, Position 1
Kurt Matter (D) 20,220
Bob Sump (R) 27,305
State Representative, District 7, Position 2
Brad Lyons (D) 16,688
Cathy McMorris (R) 30,309
State Senator, District 9
Eugene A. Prince (R) 29,519
State Representative, District 9, Position 1
Brian Douglas Day (D) 11,460
Larry Sheahan (R) 23,696
State Representative, District 9, Position 2
Robert F. Henager (D) 11,409
Mark G. Schoesler (R) 23,512
State Senator, District 10
Mary Margaret Haugen (D) 25,354
Jim Youngsman (R) 22,754
State Representative, District 10, Position 1
Dave Anderson (D) 23,529
Barney Beeksma (R) 22,459
State Representative, District 10, Position 2
Glen S. Johnson (D) 16,681
Barry Sehlin (R) 27,108
State Senator, District 12
George L. Sellar (R) 32,836
State Representative, District 12, Position 1
Bill Stroud (D) 12,956
Clyde Ballard (R) 28,539
State Representative, District 12, Position 2
Stephanie S. Gilliland (D) 12,344
Linda Evans Parlette (R) 28,413
State Representative, District 13, Position 1
R. Virgil Donovan (D) 11,566
Gary Chandler (R) 28,183
State Representative, District 13, Position 2
B. Wendy Katz (D) 13,477
Joyce Mulliken (R) 25,884
State Representative, District 15, Position 1
Jim Honeyford (R) 20,801
State Representative, District 15, Position 2
Barb Lisk (R) 21,172
State Senator, District 16
Valoria H. Loveland (D) 19,597
Bryan Alford (R) 17,853
State Representative, District 16, Position 1
Del Lathim (D) 13,059
Dave Mastin (R) 23,868
State Representative, District 16, Position 2
Bill Grant (D) 22,639
Allen A. Panasuk (R) 14,487
State Senator, District 17
Shirley A. Galloway (D) 23,513
Don Benton (R) 24,430
State Representative, District 17, Position 1
Gary Akizuki (D) 20,921
Marc Boldt (R) 26,192
State Representative, District 17, Position 2
Mike Carmichael (D) 22,739
Jim Dunn (R) 24,434
State Senator, District 18
Ted Thomas (D) 22,043
Joseph Zarelli (R) 25,673
State Representative, District 18, Position 1
Farley Maxwell (D) 21,840
Tom Mielke (R) 24,999
State Representative, District 18, Position 2
Al Swindel (D) 19,129
John Pennington (R) 28,190
State Senator, District 19
Sid Snyder (D) 31,831
State Representative, District 19, Position 1
Brian Hatfield (D) 27,092
Budd Gilbert (R) 12,078
State Representative, District 19, Position 2
Mark Doumit (D) 25,154
Bob Ryan (R) 13,546
State Senator, District 20
Cody Arledge (D) 21,563
Dan Swecker (R) 24,171
State Representative, District 20, Position 1
Lois Lopez (D) 21,708
Richard DeBolt (R) 23,516
State Representative, District 20, Position 2
Tina Edwards (D) 17,512
Gary C. Alexander (R) 26,909
State Senator, District 24
Jim Hargrove (D) 36,778
State Representative, District 24, Position 1
Diane Ellison (D) 23,782
Jim Buck (R) 26,721
State Representative, District 24, Position 2
Lynn Kessler (D) 31,499
Jan Christensen (R) 15,837
State Senator, District 25
Calvin Goings (D) 24,760
Grant Owen Pelesky (R) 19,829
State Representative, District 25, Position 1
Luanne R. Green (D) 19,846
Joyce McDonald (R) 22,495
Mark Downey (PP) 1,005
State Representative, District 25, Position 2
Jim Kastama (D) 22,983
Dave Morell (R) 20,259
State Representative, District 26, Position 1
Patricia Lantz (D) 24,489
Lois McMahan (R) 24,328
State Representative, District 26, Position 2
Sandy Arndt (D) 18,452
Tom Huff (R) 29,635
State Representative, District 30, Position 1
Eric Ulis (D) 17,398
Tim Hickel (R) 22,439
State Representative, District 30, Position 2
Paul Mallary (D) 14,377
Maryann Mitchell (R) 23,142
State Representative, District 31, Position 1
Darrell Carrier (D) 13,650
Eric Robertson (R) 24,527
State Representative, District 31, Position 2
Christopher Hurst (D) 18,567
Les Thomas (R) 18,967
State Representative, District 35, Position 1
Lena Swanson (D) 21,599
Peggy Johnson (R) 25,509
State Representative, District 35, Position 2
Tim Sheldon (D) 31,200
Richard Godderz (R) 12,710
State Senator, District 39
Patricia Patterson (D) 21,686
Val Stevens (R) 26,757
State Representative, District 39, Position 1
Hans Dunshee (D) 25,631
Keith Groen (R) 22,515
State Representative, District 39, Position 2
Jeff Soth (D) 22,372
John Koster (R) 25,006
State Senator, District 40
Harriet A. Spanel (D) 30,635
Skip Richards (R) 20,508
State Representative, District 40, Position 1
Dave Quall (D) 29,850
Bob Brown (R) 19,971
State Representative, District 40, Position 2
Jeff Morris (D) 27,607
Daniel R. Miller (R) 21,263
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and affixed the seal of the State of Washington, this 13th day of January, 1997.
(Seal)
Ralph Munro, Secretary of State
Mr. Speaker: In view of the election results just read, certified to by the Secretary of State, and to which there have been no protests, this joint session now declares the following qualified citizens to be elected the constitutional elected officials for the State of Washington.
Gary Locke Governor
Brad Owen Lt. Governor
Ralph Munro Secretary of State
Mike Murphy State Treasurer
Brian Sonntag State Auditor
Christine Gregoire Attorney General
Terry Bergeson Superintendent of Public Instruction
Jennifer Belcher Commissioner of Public Lands
Deborah Senn Insurance Commissioner
Having discharged the constitutional requirements imposed upon the Speaker of the House, it is now my pleasure to call upon the President of the Senate to preside over the Joint Session.
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The President appointed Representatives Sterk, McDonald, Constantine and Lantz and Senators Johnson, Roach, Heavey and Hargrove to escort the Supreme Court Justices to the House chamber. The President introduced the justices: Chief Justice Barbara Durham, Associate Chief Justice James M. Dolliver, Justice Charles Z. Smith, Justice Richard P. Guy, Justice Charles W. Johnson, Justice Barbara A. Madsen, Justice Gerry L. Alexander, Justice Philip A. Talmadge and Justice Richard B. Sanders.
The President appointed Representatives Dyer, Sump, Morris and Doumit and Senators Rossi, Wood, Fraser and Deccio to escort the State elected officials to the House chamber. The President introduced the elected officials: Secretary of State, Ralph Munro, State Treasurer, Daniel K Grimm; State Auditor; Brian Sonntag; Attorney General, Christine Gregorie; Commissioner of Public Lands, Jennifer M. Belcher; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Judith A. Billings; and Insurance Commissioner, Deborah Senn.
The President appointed Representatives Mitchell and Veloria and Senators Zarelli and McAuliffee to notify Governor Mike Lowry that the joint session has assembled and to escort him to the House chamber. The President introduced the Governor, Mike Lowry.
The President welcomed the Honorable Linda Smith, Superintendent of Public Instruction-Elect Terry Bergenson, Her Majesty’s Consul of Britain, The Honorable Michael Upton and Mrs. Upton; The Consul General of Canada, The Honorable Thomas Beem; The Consul General of Japan, The Honorable Naotoshi Sugiuchi and Mrs. Sugiuchi; The Consul General of Mexico, The Honorable Hugo Abell Castro and his wife Rebecca. The President recognized The Reverend Sam McKinney.
Mr. President: As the Speaker has announced, this occasion provides all of us with the opportunity to recognize old friends who are leaving office. Secretary Munro, will you do the honor of introducing our friends?
Secretary Munro: I would like to begin with our State Treasurer, Dan Grimm. Twenty four years ago he began his career in this building as a clerk for the Higher Education Committee for the House of Representatives. Three years later he was elected as a representative from the twenty-fifth legislative district, Puyallup, North Tacoma, Bonney Lake and Sumner. Representative Grimm served with distinction in the House for twelve years. During that time, he had the privilege of chairing the House Higher Education Committee, the Democratic Caucus and the House Ways and means committee which he led for six years. Dan Grimm was elected State Treasurer in 1988 and re-elected in 1992. There is no question that he is considered the father of our beautiful new State Historical Society Building in Tacoma. Dan, we thank you for your service and the leadership you have provided. Ladies and Gentlemen, State Treasurer Dan Grimm.
The President and Speaker presented retiring State Treasurer Dan Grimm with a photograph of the Legislative Building.
Mr. Grimm: Thank you. Mr. Governor, Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen. As I stand here I am reminded of the day about twenty years when I sat for the first time in the back of this chamber. I want to say to those of you who are new to this legislative body, that if you, during your time here, are as blessed as I have been with as many acts of personal kindnesses as I have received, and with as many friends as I have been able to make, than you will have been truly fortunate. I want to thank you for your dedication and your commitment to public service. I also as a former legislator, want to take this opportunity to thank and to ask you to thank your predecessors who have made it possible and me to make the contributions that we have made. There are many. Tom Copeland who made it possible for us to have our own offices. Bob Shafer who made it possible for us to have our own secretarial assistants. Len Sawyer who made it possible for all of us to truly have independent and professional staff so that you can exercise your constitutional obligations to be an independent branch of government equal among the three. To Bud Shinpoch every time you look at budget documents, every time you look at numbers from LEAP, every time you look at the books of the bill reports, you can thank Bud Shinpoch. And I hope in doing so, that I will convey to you a commitment and enduring obligation that you have to this institution and through it to the people of the State.
As State Treasurer, I want to thank Governor Mike Lowry. No one has done more and adhered to higher standards of fiscal integrity in the twenty some years that I have been here than Governor Mike Lowry. If you as a legislature sustain those standards in this session and in the years to come, you will have served well the people of this state.
Finally, I want to say thank you to the one person who, since 1985, has been the constant source of support and love and inspiration. This person is my daughter, Whitney K Grimm. Whitney K, I love you biggest much. Thank you.
Secretary Munro: Superintendent of Public Instruction, Judith Billings: Superintendent Billings has served her state with the deep understanding of the value of our public schools. She has been a constant vocal outspoken advocate for kids across our State. Superintendent Billings realizes that in this rapidly changing world, public education plays a vital role as the great equalizer. The opportunity for children to advance beyond their parents station in life. She is constantly reminding all of us what the constitution says; it is our paramount duty to provide for amble education for all children. Today we thank our Superintendent of Public Instruction, Judith Billings.
The President and Speaker presented retiring Superintendent of Public Instruction Billings with a photograph of the Legislative Building.
Ms. Billings: Thank you. It is as I always say when one of my staff is retiring, a bitter sweet time because we always cherish the times that we have had with the people we with whom we work. At the same time, some anticipation of what is to come beyond where we are now in terms of new challenges. I certainly have in my professional life there is nothing that equals the challenge and enjoyment of running for office and serving in office. Of course I might add that nothing equals the frustration either. That goes along with the office. It has been a wonderful eight years, with the associations that have been made here at the State level with the agency officials, with other elected State-wide officials and with the Legislature. One of the things that I have been so delighted with in working with the legislature in this State is that although we have not always agreed on issues, we have always been civil personally with one another. That is something that I think is extremely important to continue.
I cannot leave without reminding you one more time; each year we give rewards to outstanding teachers and principals and school boards members in these chambers and i always look at them and say wouldn’t it be fun if you were the ones sitting here making the laws and appropriating the dollars that fund public education. But I can’t leave without that one gentle reminder that it is the paramount duty of the State to make amble provisions for the education of all children residing within our borders regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity. I hope you take that charge seriously with you through this session and I wish you all the very best. Thank you.
Secretary Munro: Most of us in this room were not born or cannot remember World War II. And when we do read or see documentaries of the world, they often focus on the European Theatre. The last few months of the war were in the Pacific were terrible. Tens of thousands of our young GIs were maimed or killed in action. Joel Pritchard of Queen Anne Hill was an infantryman in the American New Caledon division, the famed Amercals. They sloughed and fought their way north toward the long sought victory in the Pacific. Pritchard was a lucky one. He came home to Seattle and entered public service, representing the 36th District, Queen Anne Hill and Magnolia. He came to the Capitol in 1958 and served until 1966 in the House of Representatives. From 1967 to 1971 in the Washington State Senate. He will long be remembered for his fight to win open housing for all citizens and for a woman’s right to chose. In 1972, it was off to Congress where he served until 1984 representing the First Congressional District. He record on the Foreign Relations Committee bringing a closure to the war in Viet Nam and his service as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly for the United States of America is still talked about today. He was elected our Lt. Governor in 1988 and has served with dignity and distinction, frankness and fairness. Ladies and Gentlemen, 54 years of public service. Lieutenant Governor Joel Pritchard.
The Speaker presented Lieutenant Governor Joel Pritchard with a photograph of the Legislative Building.
Mr. President: If I get started, we will really get off track. Ralph did get to me, I didn’t think he could, but he did. Thank you. No one has enjoyed this capitol or the National Capitol in service as much as I did. I enjoyed it. It is a great experience and a wonderful honor by the citizens in your communities to send you here. This business of democracy is a wonderful form of government but it is not easy. It is not easy. It is always difficult and you are right in the middle of it where it is going to be so important what you do in the coming years. I intend to watch it with keen interest, and maybe write a few letters to you, but I am going to watch all of you and enjoy your efforts. I know that the future should be better. We are bother; in fact for the first time in America’s history there are people who seriously doubt whether tomorrow is going to be as good as today. Through all our years, people have taken it for granted that tomorrow will be better. We have some serious challenges - you have them and I am going to watch your efforts with great interest because I know you are going to live up to the responsibilities that you have. I thank you for what you are doing and I thank you for the friendships so many of you have had with me, and the kindnesses you have shown me in the last eight years in Olympia. Thank you very much.
Secretary Munro: In some ways, the old high school at Endicott High School is like this building. On the top floor, there are pictures of each class year by year decade by decade. There is no question that the class of 1957, and their most known graduate, Mike Lowry is a point of pride for this rural country school. His story epitomizes the long held belief in Washington State that it doesn’t really matter whether your parents are farmers on the Palouse or shipyard workers on the Sound. Each of us has a chance at the golden ring. One of his first jobs, after graduating from WSU, was as a committee clerk in the basement of this building, "workin' for Durkin" as they use to say. He went on to serve as a King County Councilman and chair of the Council in 1979. He was elected President of the Washington Association of Counties and returned to this Capitol as their spokesman on many occasions. He became an outspoken member of Congress from the seventh congressional district, a blue collar lunch bucket area in South Seattle, Renton, White Center and Auburn, constantly speaking up for the poor, the unemployed, the less fortunate of our citizens. He was elected as our governor in 1992, and in these tumultuous times of change, he has helped to steer our State into an era of prosperity. Through it all, his watch words have been "kids, jobs and the environment". I think the thing I have appreciated most about Governor Lowry is that he has never forgotten the poor. Regardless of his own station in life, he has not spent his time scheming or dreaming of ways to improve his own lot but has instead concentrated his efforts on assisting the lives of our less fortunate. Ladies and gentlemen, today we thank our Governor, Governor Mike Lowry.
The President and Speaker presented retiring Governor Mike Lowry with a photograph of the Legislative Building.
Mr. Speaker: It is my pleasure to say thank you for your commitment. The one observation I have made about you, and it is good for all of us to remember in this chamber, particularly for our new members, that when Mike Lowry says something or Mike Lowry states a belief, you know exactly where he is. That is a quality that I think is paramount upon us as legislators: that we speak clearly to what we believe and for what we stand for, and when we say it, people can understand and believe it. It has been a pleasure serving with you. Thank you.
Mr. President: Thank you, Ralph. As always, you did a wonderful job. I would also like to introduce Mary Lowry and ask her to stand and be recognized.
Mr. President: The purpose of the Joint Session is to receive a message from his excellency, Mike Lowry.
Governor Lowry: Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, distinguished members of the Supreme Court, distinguished state elected officials, members of the Legislature, Consular Corps, and citizens of the great state of Washington.
Before I begin, I want to thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as governor. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to Mary and Diane for their support. I have always believed that one of life’s most challenging and thankless roles is that of the families of people in public service. Mary and Diane have long served in that role with courage and grace, and I am grateful and proud.
I congratulate Governor-elect Locke, who will be an excellent governor, and each and every one of you in this chamber, who I’m sure will endeavor to serve the state well.
To the elected officials who served so well with me, thank you. And of this excellent new team of elected officials, I have high hopes and expectations. The voters chose you for your integrity and ability. Thank you for your willingness to serve.
To my staff and cabinet, and all state employees and educators -- you did a great job, and I thank you.
Today, our state is in excellent shape. Our economy is strong, our business climate has improved significantly, our commitments to education and the environment are intact, and our quality of life has magazine editors consistently naming Washington cities among the most livable and the best places to do business.
There are challenges ahead, yet we have good reason to be optimistic. We are on the right track.
Over the past four years, the state's economy has improved dramatically. Independent, private studies continue to show our economy as one of the strongest in the nation. Tens of thousands more people have jobs. Many of our state’s cornerstone industries, which have for years been the backbone of our economy, are choosing to stay here, to expand and grow in Washington, rather than move elsewhere. Other world-class companies are joining them, building an even stronger, more diversified economy. And we have opened the doors of international trade to large and small businesses alike.
Over the past 4 years, our state’s unemployment rate has dropped from 8.4 percent to 5.8 percent -- more than a 30% decrease. The state budget has gone from a record $1.7 billion shortfall to a healthy reserve. And every business day, more than 100 people on public assistance enter the workforce.
For the first time since the early 1980s, state government is growing at a rate well below the state’s population. And during the coming biennium, state general fund taxes are already lower than they were four years ago. Over the past four years, we have turned our economy around and we have greatly improved the state budget. I am proud of those accomplishments.
But I wouldn't be speaking from my heart if I didn't tell you what I am most proud of is that we have accomplished those goals without turning our backs on the needs of children, or on those for whom a stronger economy doesn't always mean more food on the table, or those who don't yet have the skills to apply for one of the new jobs.
And, we have improved our economy and our business climate without weakening our commitment to the environment. Today, fewer families have to choose between paying rent and seeing a doctor when their children get sick, because nearly 195,000 children in low-income working families now have health care coverage. And more than 143,000 adults who might otherwise have been shut out of the health care system altogether now receive benefits through the state's very successful Basic Health Plan.
More children are going to class ready to learn, because thousands more kids are receiving free or low-cost breakfast in school. More young adults are able to attend college, and thousands of at-risk youth are learning valuable job skills through the Washington Service Corps.
Thousands of low-income working parents are able to keep their jobs without worrying about whether they can afford child care, because during these four years, we have eliminated the statewide waiting list for subsidized child care.
We have given businesses a reason to move here and to stay here, and we have taken steps to help more people benefit from our economy and our quality of life.
Today, all of us in this chamber, and those watching or listening elsewhere, can be very proud to live in a state where we share a commitment to improving what we can, preserving what we must, and never losing sight of the belief that Washington is a great place to live, to work, to raise a family, and to enjoy life.
Today, the state of our state is clearly very good.
The challenge, over the coming months and years, is to continue that prosperity without losing sight of the reasons why all of us live here, and to go forward without leaving behind those who have been denied the tools they need to keep up.
In the face of tighter budget constraints and even deeper cuts coming from the federal government, that task will not be simple.
Keeping our state on the right track will require continued vision and courage - especially by all of you in this chamber.
One thing is certain, however: There are a few guaranteed ways of not keeping our state on track for the future.
● We will not continue to prosper if we let go of our commitment to education.
A business is only as good as its workforce. Unless we take steps to ensure that our educational system - both K-12 and higher education - can keep pace with a growing demand and meet the needs of tomorrow’s employers, our economy and our quality of life will pay the price.
We will not continue to prosper if we sacrifice our magnificent environment for short-term gain.
Over the past four years, we have proven that a healthy environment is good for business. Time and again, officials of companies that locate here have told me how important it is for them to settle in a place where their employees will want to live. In the state of Washington, good environmental policy is good economic policy.
We will not continue to prosper if our transportation system fails to keep pace with the state’s growth. In fact, our growing transportation problem is one of the few obstacles that could reverse our economic prosperity.
And we will not continue to prosper if we weaken our commitment to good growth management.
During the decade of the 1990s alone, our state’s population is expected to grow by more than a million people - the fastest rate of growth since the war years of the 1940s. That growth will put tremendous pressure on our roads, our land, our watersheds, and our environment.
The state’s Growth Management Act is one of the best ways to ensure that we think about how and where we want to grow before it is too late - and before unplanned development destroys even more of the natural drainage systems that are so vital to flood control efforts.
We will not continue to prosper if we fail to recognize that some parts of the state’s population are growing faster than others; and that our budget laws need the flexibility to adjust to those population demographics, to federal cutbacks that are much harder on individuals than perhaps earlier anticipated, to natural disasters and emergencies, and to remove disincentives for efficient management.
I am of course referring to Initiative 601. It is important state policy, and I know the Legislature will honor its intent. But Initiative 601 was not carved in stone and brought down from the mountain. Across-the-board spending limits that do not account for growing needs will create across-the-board problems long into the future -- problems that can be avoided with minor amendments that stay consistent with the voters’ intent.
● And speaking of initiatives with unintended consequences, it is time we took another look at term limits. A mandatory six-year limit for legislators takes the power of our democracy out of the hands of voters and puts it into the hands of people who were never elected by anyone. That is not a democratic ideal.
● We will not continue to prosper if we turn our backs on our state’s commitment to diversity. The strength of our state lies in the contributions of every single person who lives here. We must stay committed to equal opportunity, equal rights, and respect for diversity. To those who would bring hate and intolerance of any person, belief, lifestyle or circumstance into our state, I say "hands off."
● We will not continue to prosper if we forget about the needs of children in our pursuit of affluence.
Today, nearly a quarter of the nation’s children live in poverty. We’re doing a little bit better in our state, but even our statistic of one-in-six is far too high. Building America’s future on a foundation of one quarter of our kids growing up in poverty is just plain dangerous. We simply must, as a society, make our children a higher priority.
● We also must not duplicate, here at home, the breadth of cutbacks the federal government is making, by making even deeper cuts in critical state services. Adjusting to the upcoming federal cutbacks and new state responsibilities is one of our greatest challenges. The worst of all possible solutions is for the state to act oblivious to those changes, make even deeper cuts, pass responsibility onto others - and force people into the streets.
Here in our state, the new federal welfare law, along with other cost-cutting measures approved by Congress, is expected to reduce federal dollars by $619 million over the next biennium. Those cutbacks will affect everything from food stamps and food banks to housing assistance and environmental protection programs. In our state, more than 200,000 low-income families will face cutbacks in food stamps and other food subsidy programs. That includes about 38,000 legal immigrants - many of them working parents with children - who will be dropped from the Food Stamp Program entirely. And about 11,000 legal immigrants who are blind, elderly or disabled will lose eligibility for the federal Supplemental Security Income program, which provides about $470 a month to low-income people who can’t work. Our state’s legal immigrants are people who have always played by the rules.
In addition, nearly 1,000 non-immigrant children with severe behavioral disorders will lose disability benefits they had received through the federal SSI program. Most are in foster homes. We have both the financial resources and the moral obligation to ensure that low-income children, families, and senior citizens affected by federal cutbacks are not left out in the cold.
● If we think that a few dollars a month in tax cuts for the average Washingtonian is more important than keeping food on the table for tens of thousands of low-income people in our state, we are a society in trouble. In my budget proposal, I have asked the Legislature to replace some of the deepest federal cuts with $220 million to help our neediest neighbors. That commitment might require a minor adjustment in Initiative 601, and that you forego some of your additional desired tax cuts.
Most of the problems we count on government to deal with would be solved if everyone had a living-wage job. Today especially, the fallout from families that are torn apart by poverty, or those who have simply lost hope, affects everyone. And today, all of us must come to terms with a new reality: that helping people enter the workforce is in everyone’s best interest, and punitive proposals that pass judgment on a person’s inability to find a job have never put anyone to work.
I have been fortunate. I grew up in a healthy environment, with two parents who loved my sisters and me, and loved each other. There were no drugs, there was no abuse, there was no violence. Most of the kids I went to school with came from the same background. In fact, most of the people in my generation grew up with those values and advantages. When we were old enough, nearly all of us got jobs and became productive members of society. That is what our parents had done; and that is the path they helped create for us. The cards were never stacked against us, as they are for so many people today.
Today, thousands of children grow up in an environment where there is physical violence, mental abuse, or neglect; an environment where, at best, only one parent plays a role in a child's life; where handguns are a tragic ticket to respect on the streets; where peer pressure is unlike anything any of us have ever known. When some of these kids become young adults, their troubled lives are in the hands of many who still believe that what worked when they were young - tighter boot straps, their parents' expectations, a little help from mom and dad - ought to be enough for anyone. They believe that telling someone to "get a job" is enough to help them overcome a lack of job skills, a history of abuse, a lifetime of disadvantages. It’s just not that simple. Like it or not, the world has changed. We all share the goal of getting able-bodied people into the workforce. In our state, we have programs in place that are doing exactly that - in record numbers.
Our success is proof that the vast majority of people on welfare want to work, and if they are given the right tools, they will not only join the workforce, they will stay in the workforce. Choosing to believe otherwise to justify politically popular rhetoric is self-defeating fantasy, and it simply will not work.
And unless we continue to take steps that address today's reality rather than yesterday's expectations; unless we base our policy decisions on something more substantial and more compassionate than an attitude of, "I did it, why can't they," a huge number of people will fail in our society. And that will mean we will fail.
We will fail because most people who are driven into the workforce without job skills end up in minimum wage jobs -- if they can find jobs at all -- and minimum-wage jobs do not pay enough for single-parent families to make it on their own.
A single parent with two small children who works full time, earning minimum wage, pays about 72 percent of his or her salary in child care expenses, and takes home about $74 a week. That adds up to $300 a month, out of which a working parent must pay the rent, put food on the table, pay utility bills and transportation costs - and just plain hope that no one gets sick. We will fail because forcing people into minimum-wage jobs or onto the street will do nothing to solve the many problems that have kept them from self sufficiency -- the lack of job skills needed to earn a living wage, an inability to afford basic medical care, the need for quality, affordable child care. And we will fail because a growing gap between those who have much and those who have little will continue to tear at the fabric of our society until the only thing that unites our communities is a sense of fear, anger, resentment, and hate. We are better than that.
Those who call our state home are some of the most generous and giving people in the world. We help each other when we can. During the holidays we hear more stories of people who are having a rough time, and our instinct is to help make things right. During the recent winter storms, I heard dozens of examples of people looking out for each other; clearing tree branches out of neighbor's driveways, delivering groceries to people who couldn’t leave their homes, pulling cars out of piles of snow. I heard about workers staying on the job past midnight to help drivers who needed tire chains, and I met utility crews who were working around the clock - day after day. There are countless other examples. But whether we give blankets to the homeless or help push cars out of snowbank, when someone needs help, most of us are eager to lend a hand.
Yet despite our generosity, the greatest problem facing America today is the growing number of people in our society who are truly in need. Whether they are workers who have been downsized out of a job; people who have never had the skills needed to keep up; or those whose circumstances have just taken a turn for the worse, thousands of people in our state wake up every single day facing challenges every bit as difficult as a winter storm.
Their stories are compelling. Over the past year, I’ve met dozens of people in our state who have left public assistance and entered the workforce. Almost to a person, they have told me -- sometimes with tears in their eyes -- about how desperately they wanted to get off welfare, just to have a measure of self respect, and how grateful they were to finally be earning a living. I learned of a single mother who just wanted to earn enough money to afford to live in a house or apartment -- so her children could go to school without having to lie about the place they call home.
And I met a man who had grown up on public assistance, who told me that as a child, the greatest wealth his family ever knew was the day the food stamps arrived. For him, as for so many others, the difference between continuing that cycle of desperation and becoming self-sufficient was the chance to learn, the tools to advance, the opportunity to succeed, and a job. I am certain the people of our state will step forward to help those who are in real trouble, if given the chance. Today, more than ever before, it is absolutely critical that we not turn back from the progress we have made, and that we commit ourselves to ensuring that all people have an opportunity to work and to share in our prosperity.
We live in the wealthiest country on earth. We pay lower taxes than nearly any other industrialized nation -- only Turkey and Australia pay less. In Washington state, we are now enjoying one of the nation’s strongest economies and greatest qualities of life. Over the past four years, we have made significant strides in making government more efficient. We can do more, certainly. No government -- including ours -- should ever be beyond reproach. Few exist that could not be improved upon.
But we’re kidding ourselves if we choose to believe that in today’s world, government is not important to a good economy and a higher quality of life. In a democracy, government is not the enemy; it is what we, the people choose to make of it. In our state, we have worked hard to create a balanced approach to government that recognizes the need for tax and regulatory policies that help businesses prosper without compromising our environment, our health and safety, or our children’s future; a balanced approach that recognizes that today’s prosperity carries with it a responsibility to invest in our future, support education and workforce training, build a transportation network that helps get people to work and products to market, and preserve our quality of life.
A strong economy gives us both the capability and the responsibility to do more than widen the gap between those who have much and those who have little. It allows us the flexibility to decide what we value as a society, and the freedom to invest in policies and practices that help close that gap.
We are, today, at a crossroads. One path divides us, denies the common good, and closes the door of prosperity to all but a few. The other path unites us, seeks the common good, and opens the door of opportunity to everyone. Our decision to follow the path of least resistance and political expediency, or the path of right decisions and political courage, will determine our future - and that of our children and grandchildren.
Let it be our quest to seek the greater good; to choose justice over inequity, possibility over privilege, hope over despair. Let us take the road less traveled, if that is where fairness lies. And let us end our days with promises kept: That we fought for hard-working people, That we were good stewards of the earth, That we stood against discrimination, That we gave all people a chance to work and to prosper, And most important, that we took care of the children. Thank you.
The President thanked Governor Lowry for his comments and instructed the special committee to escort the Governor to the State Reception Room.
The President instructed the special committee to escort the State elected officials from the chamber to the State Reception Room.
The President instructed the special committee to escort the Supreme Court Justices from the chamber to the State Reception Room.
MOTION
On motion by Representative Lisk, the Joint Session was dissolved.
The House and Senate Sergeants-at-Arms escorted the Senators from the chambers.
There being no objection, the House advanced to the eleventh order of business.
MOTION
On motion by Representative Lisk, the House adjourned until 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 15, 1997.
CLYDE BALLARD, Speaker
TIMOTHY A. MARTIN, Chief Clerk
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Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1104
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1105
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1106
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1107
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1108
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1109
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1110
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1111
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1112
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1113
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1114
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1115
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1116
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1117
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1118
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1119
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1120
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1121
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1122
Intro & 1st Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4400
Other Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
4401
Other Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
Message - Secretary of State, Initiative 192. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Recognition of Retiring Elected Officials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
State of the State Address, Governor Mike Lowry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17