THIRD DAY
MORNING SESSION
Senate Chamber, Olympia, Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Senate was called to order at 11:15 a.m. by President Owen. The Secretary called the roll and announced to the President that all Senators were present with the exception of Senators Benton, Delvin, Fairley, Holmquist, McCaslin, Prentice, Roach and Swecker.
The Sergeant at Arms Color Guard consisting of Pages Cole William Bryant and Katherine Evelyn Schroeder, presented the Colors.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Eide, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Eide, the Senate advanced to the fifth order of business.
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
SB 5105 by Senators Jacobsen, Haugen and McDermott
AN ACT Relating to the state oak tree; adding a new section to chapter 1.20 RCW; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.
SB 5106 by Senators Hobbs, Shin and Berkey
AN ACT Relating to creating an independent four-year polytechnical college and authorizing an investment district to provide financing for the college; adding a new chapter to Title 36 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; and providing a contingent expiration date.
Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development.
AN ACT Relating to energy overlay zones; and amending RCW 36.70C.020 and 36.70C.130.
Referred to Committee on Environment, Water & Energy.
SB 5108 by Senators Honeyford and Stevens
AN ACT Relating to documentation of eligibility to claim a tribal member exemption from retail sales tax; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
SB 5109 by Senators Honeyford, Hewitt, Stevens and Benton
AN ACT Relating to property valuation freezes for senior citizens and persons retired due to physical disability; amending RCW 84.36.381; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
SB 5110 by Senators Honeyford, Schoesler, McCaslin, Hewitt, Kohl-Welles, McDermott and Holmquist
AN ACT Relating to allowing spas, wedding boutiques, and art galleries to serve wine to their customers who are twenty-one years of age or older; adding new sections to chapter 66.12 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.
SB 5111 by Senators Honeyford, Schoesler, McCaslin and Kohl-Welles
AN ACT Relating to beer and wine boutique and gift delivery licenses; and amending RCW 66.24.550.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.
SB 5112 by Senators Honeyford and King
AN ACT Relating to the one hundred eighty-day school year requirement; amending RCW 28A.150.220, 28A.150.250, 28A.150.290, and 28A.330.100; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.
SB 5113 by Senators Honeyford and Stevens
AN ACT Relating to certain sales tax sourcing provisions within the streamlined sales and use tax agreement; amending RCW 82.32.730, 82.14.490, and 82.14.390; adding new sections to chapter 82.32 RCW; repealing RCW 82.14.495 and 82.14.500; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
SB 5114 by Senators Honeyford, Schoesler, Holmquist, Becker, Morton, Delvin, Hewitt, Roach and Parlette
AN ACT Relating to encouraging efficient use of water by eliminating the partial relinquishment of water rights; amending RCW 90.14.130, 90.14.160, 90.14.170, and 90.14.180; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Environment, Water & Energy.
SB 5115 by Senators Honeyford, Kline and Roach
AN ACT Relating to the judicial conduct commission; and amending RCW 2.64.020.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
AN ACT Relating to designating a state nickname; and adding a new section to chapter 1.20 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
SB 5117 by Senators Hargrove, Kauffman, Stevens, Kline and Marr
AN ACT Relating to intensive behavior support services for children with developmental disabilities; and adding a new chapter to Title 71A RCW.
Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.
AN ACT Relating to the definition of biofuel; and amending RCW 19.112.010.
Referred to Committee on Environment, Water & Energy.
AN ACT Relating to the public records exemptions accountability committee; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 42.56.140.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
SB 5120 by Senators Fairley, McDermott and Holmquist
AN ACT Relating to agricultural structures; amending RCW 19.27.015 and 19.27.100; and adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
SB 5121 by Senators Kline and Kohl-Welles
AN ACT Relating to editorial standards for the publication of the Revised Code of Washington; and amending RCW 1.08.015 and 1.08.017.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 5122 by Senators Kline and Kohl-Welles
AN ACT Relating to technical corrections to the Revised Code of Washington; reenacting and amending RCW 13.40.210 and 79A.55.020; and reenacting RCW 43.185.070, 43.185A.030, 46.09.170, 49.60.040, 66.20.310, and 70.105D.070.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 5123 by Senators Pridemore and McDermott
AN ACT Relating to mole trapping; and amending RCW 77.15.192.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.
SB 5124 by Senators Pridemore and Kohl-Welles
AN ACT Relating to raffle ticket prices; and amending RCW 9.46.0277.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.
SB 5125 by Senators Hewitt and Kohl-Welles
AN ACT Relating to the Washington horse racing commission Washington bred owners' bonus fund and breeder awards account; amending RCW 67.16.102, 67.16.175, and 67.16.275; reenacting and amending RCW 43.79A.040; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.
SB 5126 by Senators Brandland and Keiser
AN ACT Relating to unattended children in motor vehicles; amending RCW 46.61.685, 46.20.342, and 46.63.020; and prescribing penalties.
Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.
SB 5127 by Senators Jacobsen, Hewitt and Haugen
AN ACT Relating to the governance of the department of fish and wildlife; amending RCW 43.17.020, 77.04.013, 77.04.055, 77.04.030, and 77.04.060; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.
SB 5128 by Senators Jacobsen and Kline
AN ACT Relating to addressing natural resource impacts from off-road vehicle use; amending RCW 46.09.117, 4.24.210, 46.09.120, and 46.09.200; reenacting and amending RCW 46.09.170; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.
SB 5129 by Senators Jacobsen and Kline
AN ACT Relating to licensing of off-road vehicles; amending RCW 46.09.070; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.
SB 5130 by Senators Carrell, Hargrove, Swecker, Hatfield, Holmquist, Brandland, Sheldon, Tom, King, Hobbs, McCaslin, Stevens and Marr
AN ACT Relating to access to public records by persons serving criminal sentences in correctional facilities; and adding a new section to chapter 42.56 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.
SB 5131 by Senators Delvin, Hargrove, Brandland and Regala
AN ACT Relating to crisis referral services for criminal justice and correctional personnel; and adding new sections to chapter 43.101 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.
SB 5132 by Senators Fraser, Brandland and Keiser
AN ACT Relating to loans to local governments for public works projects; amending RCW 43.155.050, 43.155.068, and 43.155.070; and providing an expiration date.
Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
SB 5133 by Senators Hargrove, Kline, McCaslin, Regala and Roach
AN ACT Relating to access to juvenile case records for the Washington state center for court research and the Washington office of public defense; and amending RCW 13.50.010.
Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.
SB 5134 by Senators Kline, McCaslin, Tom, McDermott and Kohl-Welles
AN ACT Relating to electronic signatures for juror questionnaires; and amending RCW 2.36.072.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 5135 by Senators Kline, Tom, McDermott and Kohl-Welles
AN ACT Relating to increasing the number of district court judges in King county; and amending RCW 3.34.010.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 5136 by Senators Hobbs, Rockefeller, Fairley, Tom, Marr, Fraser, McDermott, Shin, Sheldon, McAuliffe, Jacobsen, Kline and Hatfield
AN ACT Relating to the use of solar energy panels by members of homeowners' associations; and adding a new section to chapter 64.38 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance.
SB 5137 by Senators Honeyford, Sheldon, Holmquist, Morton, Delvin, Hatfield and Parlette
AN ACT Relating to energy resources; amending RCW 19.285.030 and 19.285.040; and adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Environment, Water & Energy.
Relating to the constitutional provisions regarding initiatives and referendums.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
Requiring that supreme court vacancies be filled according to statute.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
Requiring that supreme court vacancies be filled according to statute.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SJR 8205 by Senators Franklin and Kline
Amending the Constitution to allow an income tax.
Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
SCR 8401 by Senators Brown, Hewitt and Honeyford
Calling a joint session to honor deceased former members.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Eide, all measures listed on the Introduction and First Reading report were referred to the committees as designated with the exception of Senate Bill No. 5117 which was referred to the Committee on Health & Long-Term Care, Senate Bill No. 5129 which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation and Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8401which under suspension of the rules was placed on the second reading calendar.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Eide, the Senate advanced to the sixth order of business.
SECOND READING
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8401, by Senators Brown and Hewitt
Calling a joint session to honor deceased former members.
The measure was read the second time.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Eide, the rules were suspended, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8401 was advanced to third reading, the second reading considered the third and the concurrent resolution was placed on final passage.
The President declared the question before the Senate to be the final passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8401.
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8401 was adopted by voice vote.
MOTION
At 11:21 a.m., on motion of Senator Eide, the Senate was declared to be at ease for the purpose of receiving the state of the state address in a Joint Session in the House of Representatives.
The Speaker (Representative Morris presiding) called the Joint Session to order. The Clerk called the roll of House members. The Clerk called the roll of Senate members. A quorum of the Legislature was present.
The Speaker (Representative Morris presiding) called upon President Owen to preside.
President Owen: "The purpose of the Joint Session is to administer the oath of office to statewide elected officials and to receive the inaugural address from Her Excellency, Governor Christine Gregoire."
The President appointed a special committee to escort the Supreme Court Justices to the House Chamber: Representatives Driscoll and Shea, and Senators Franklin and Parlette.
The President appointed a special committee to escort the State elected officials to the House Chamber: Representatives Conway and Parker, and Senators Pflug and Pridemore.
The President appointed a special committee to advise Her Excellency, Governor Christine Gregoire, that the joint session had assembled and to escort her to the House Chamber: Representatives Dammeier and Jacks, and Senators Hobbs and Becker.
The Supreme Court Justices arrived, were escorted to the Floor of the House Chamber and were introduced: Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander, and Justices Charles W. Johnson, Barbara A. Madsen, Richard B. Sanders, Tom Chambers, Susan J. Owens, Mary E. Fairhurst, James M. Johnson and Debra L. Stephens.
The State elected officials arrived, were escorted to the floor of the House and were introduced: Secretary of State Sam Reed and wife Margie, State Treasurer Jim McIntire with guest Kristina Koons, State Auditor Brian Sonntag and wife Jann, Attorney General Rob McKenna and wife Marilyn, Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn and wife Kaye, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and wife Lela and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark and wife Wendy.
The President introduced the special guests present in the gallery: Governors Al Rosellini, Mike Lowry, Booth Gardner and Dan Evans; Brian CladoosBy, Swinomish Tribe; Herman Dillon, Puyallup Tribe; Melvin Sheldon, Tulalip Tribe; Charolotte Williams, Muckelshoot Tribe; Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon; Snohomish County Sheriff and former Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives John Lovick and former Secretary of State Ralph Munro.
The President introduced his mother, Laurel and Tom Willis and the rest of his family who were present in the gallery.
The President introduced the members of the Consular Association of Washington: H. Ronald Masnik, Consul of Belgium and President of the Consular Association of Washington; Daravuth Huoth, Consul of Cambodia; Peter Lloyd, Consul General of Canada; Jorge Gilbert, Consul of Chile; Petra Walker, Consul of Germany; Helen Szablya, Consul of Hungary and Vice President of the Consular Association of Washington; Enid Dwyer, Consul of Jamaica; Yasuo Ishii, Consul of Japan; Haryong Lee, Consul General of the Republic of Korea; Stephen Zirschky, Consul of Latvia; Victor Lapatinskas, Consul of Lithuania; Marisela Quijano, Deputy Consul of Mexico; Kim Nesselquist, Consul of Norway; Miguel Angel Velasquez, Consul of Peru; Emitry Repkov, Consul of the Russian Federation; Luis Fernando Esteban, Consul of Spain; lars Jonsson, Consul of Sweden; John Gokchen, Consul General of Turkey; and Daniel Liao, Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. The President introduced Lu Wenxiang, Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco.
Governor Christine Gregoire and her husband Mike Gregoire, daughters Courtney and Michelle Gregoire and son-in-law Scott Lindsey arrived, were escorted to the rostrum, and were introduced.
The flags were escorted to the rostrum by the Washington State Patrol Color Guard, commanded by Sergeant John Sager. The National Anthem was sung by Kate Ellwanger of Olympia, a senior at Charles Wright Academy. The President led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The prayer was offered by Father Michael J. Ryan, formerly of St. Michael’s Parish, Olympia.
Father Ryan: “My sisters and brothers, let us pray. Generous and compassionate God, you have revealed your glory to all the nations. God of power and might, wisdom and justice, through your authority is rightly administered, laws enacted and judgement is decreed. We pray today for Christine Gregoire, the Governor of this great state of Washington, for the members of the Legislature, the judges and elected civil officials and all others who are intrusted to guard our political welfare. May they be enabled by your powerful protection to discharge their responsibilities with honesty and ability. Like Solomon of old who faced with the opportunity to enjoy a mediated power he elected instead to ask of heaven, the gift of an understanding heart that he might discern between good and evil and therefore judge rightly amongst the various demands and expectations of his people. No leader could ask for more but only a foolish one would ask for less. And so as these newly elected officials begin their challenging times ahead we ask you, God our creator to bless them with courage, with understanding hearts and we pray that all the citizens of this state take the responsibility in the care of our human family. We are all one union, family. Life is not about us, we are about life so may we drop today any negative attitudes, cynicism and come together in the care and concern of one union family. Together we can do this, apart we can not and so we pray to you our Lord and God for ever and ever. Amen.”
Justice Debra L. Stephens administered the Oath of Office to Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands.
Justice James Johnson administered the Oath of Office to Mike Kreidler, Insurance Commissioner.
Justice Mary E. Fairhurst administered the Oath of Office to Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Justice Susan Owens administered the Oath of Office to Rob McKenna, Attorney General.
Justice Charles Johnson administered the Oath of Office to Brian Sonntag, State Auditor.
Justice Tom Chambers administered the Oath of Office to Jim McIntire, State Treasurer.
Justice Richard B. Sanders administered the Oath of Office to Sam Reed, Secretary of State
Justice Barbara Madsen administered the Oath of Office to Brad Owen, Lieutenant Governor.
Chief Justice Gerry Alexander administered the Oath of Office to Christine Gregoire, Governor.
Governor Gregoire: "Thank you, Father Ryan, for that beautiful prayer and blessing. And thank you, Kate Elwanger, for your wonderful performance of the National Anthem.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, distinguished justices of the court, honored officials, members of the Washington State Legislature, former governors, tribal leaders, local government officials, members of the Consular Association of Washington, my fellow citizens: Good Afternoon.
I first want to express my condolences at the passing of Representative Steve Hailey of the 9th District. His career ended much too soon. I also want to share my personal sadness at the passing last week of Representative Bill Grant. All of us, this chamber, Bill’s beloved 16th District, Bill’s family — and the people of Washington — are the poorer for his loss. Bill brought to this chamber a sense of bi-partisanship, humor and compassion that we will sorely miss.
I am deeply honored to stand before you in the first moments of my second term as governor of the Great State of Washington. I am grateful and humbled that the people of Washington have chosen me to lead this state through the most difficult and trying times maybe since the Great Depression.
I know all of us in this chamber are honored to be here, and are ready to take on a crisis the likes of which our generation has never seen, let alone imagined. All of us, Democrats and Republicans — the newly elected and the seasoned — have a huge opportunity — the opportunity to bring Washington more firmly into the 21st century. For us — and for all Washingtonians — there are two words that will define us as we confront the challenge and seize the opportunity. Those words are courage and generosity.
The people of Washington are looking to us to act with remarkable courage. In turn, I believe Washingtonians will respond with very personal compassion and generosity for their neighbors. And more than ever, the people of Washington do not want partisan politics! They want us to work together to build a better state for them and their children. So I will challenge all of us today — and throughout the session — to join together. Let’s use this crisis! Let’s summon the courage to make the hard decisions. And let’s make sure Washington emerges better positioned to create jobs, prepare our kids for the future and provide affordable health care. Let’s make sure we improve our ranking from third best place to do business — to number one!
With me today is my family: My husband Mike, who plans to continue his work on behalf of veterans and children’s literacy; our daughter Courtney, and, of course, our brand-new son-in-law Scott; and our daughter Michelle. My family is here not only to share this important day with me, but to remind us of just what we have at stake this legislative session — and it’s the well-being of all Washington families. Too many of our families are struggling just to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. They are worried about keeping a job or finding one. They lose sleep wondering if they can save the business where they have poured their sweat and their savings. And last week, Mother Nature laid on another layer of misery, forcing thousands of people from their homes when our rivers rose and hillsides came down. Our highway transportation system and the commerce that depends on it ground to a halt. But it could have been worse if Washingtonians had not responded so quickly and wisely to the warnings and evacuated by the hundreds. For that, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the skill of local responders, and our own state and federal agencies. I also want to thank the hundreds of Washingtonians who stepped up to help their suffering neighbors and friends. But the misery continues, and we’re working very hard to help with recovery.
Last fall, a different kind of storm rolled over the nation’s incredibly mismanaged mortgage and credit markets. That financial storm is now parked over Washington and almost every other state, and it’s raining buckets of hardship for families and businesses. We’ve all worked to create a world-class education system and affordable, accessible health care, and to rapidly build on our already amazing, diverse economy. I promise you we cannot and will not forget that work. But today, our work is more basic and urgent. Our work is to help our families and businesses survive at a time when they are forced to juggle bills and cut back spending … when too many stores, restaurants and car dealerships are struggling for customers … and last month, when 75 percent more Washington workers filed for unemployment benefits than a year ago.
We all know our state didn’t make this economic crisis, and we all know we can’t unilaterally solve it. But we cannot just ride out the hard times and then go back to business as usual. Instead, we must renew hope for Washingtonians who are suffering today, and lay — for them — a platform for a better tomorrow.
First, we can and must quickly create new jobs for working families by rebuilding roads and schools, and creating a green economy for the 21st century — all in partnership with President-elect Barack Obama’s “American Recovery and Reinvestment” plan.
Second, like our struggling families and businesses, we can and will tighten our belts, balance our budget and focus on basic needs — protection of our children, our schools and colleges, our public safety, our environment and our economy.
Third, we won’t waste this crisis! We can and must reform state government. In this moment of clarity, we must grab the opportunity to reform so we can respond to the evolving needs of this century.
Fourth, we can and must approach all our challenges as a computer engineer might. Let’s build a new platform that makes Washington unique — that can support the exciting possibilities of the 21st century rather than the fading possibilities of the last. And finally, this is the time for generosity among all Washingtonians.
Real solutions to many of our problems will come from partnerships with our families, our communities, our faith-based organizations and our service groups. This is our time. A time like no other. Our time to show courage. Our time to reach across the aisle — Democrats and Republicans — to help our people. Our time for all to light the lamp of generosity.
And if we need an example of this can-do spirit, we can reach back 76 years to an even worse time — the Great Depression — a time of breadlines, massive unemployment, despair and hope for a better day. The first thing President Franklin Roosevelt did was get people back to work, and by the way, so did Governor Clarence Martin right here in Washington. Indeed, the most visible Northwest project built under Roosevelt’s jobs plan was the world-famous Grand Coulee Dam. Tomorrow, I will introduce the “Washington Jobs Now” plan. It is nowhere near as big as the Grand Coulee Dam project back in the 20th century, but it will leave a legacy of roads, schools and green-collar jobs to thrust our state firmly into the 21st century! And I urge you to help me do it — and in the first days of this new session.
This is our moment to act with courage — boldly and urgently — as our President-elect is doing — to speed up a recovery. We can quickly create thousands of new jobs this year and next by accelerating nearly $1 billion in public works projects. These projects will build new roads and schools, and create green-collar jobs to lay more groundwork for the prosperity to come.
The time to act is now! My “Washington Jobs Now” plan will stretch over the next two years — even as we undertake the largest transportation construction cycle in state history! We now have 1,400 transportation projects under way, or about to start, worth $3 billion. By combining this historic transportation package with my “Washington Jobs Now” plan, we will provide nearly 20,000 jobs in the next two years.
Franklin Roosevelt did more than create jobs. And so must we. That’s why I’m urging you to also act on an unemployment insurance proposal I’ll soon introduce to help laid-off workers and struggling businesses. Our state has the healthiest Unemployment Trust Fund in the country. We need to put these funds to work through a temporary increase in benefits for workers and a temporary tax cut for businesses. Unemployment benefits are a uniquely powerful tool to benefit our economy. Benefits go directly to folks who need help and they are spent locally to boost business. Every dollar of benefits results in another $1.64 of buying power in our economy. And the tax break will help businesses weather the downturn.
And we must help ease the suffering of families struggling to feed their kids. Last fall, we greatly expanded eligibility for food stamps, which brings to our state $825 million in federal funding this year. Every $5 spent in food stamps ultimately means $9.20 circulating through our economy.
And finally, I have an urgent proposal to keep families in their homes. We helped homeowners last year and this year I’m asking you to approve legislation to help struggling homeowners work out ways to avoid foreclosure with time extensions. My “Washington Jobs Now” plan and the recovery proposals address some short-term needs, but they amount to more than a short-term fix. They help us build that new foundation to prepare Washington for the future.
I welcome a new dawn in Washington, D.C. — where Barack Obama and the new Congress are ready to create jobs, rebuild our nation, and help working people and businesses. Next week President-elect Obama will introduce his plan to get Americans back to work. His plan includes funding for schools, infrastructure and expansion of a green economy. I am working with the President-elect to make sure his plan includes ready-to-go projects here in Washington. The President-elect’s plan will double our commitment to renewable energy production — a huge opportunity for Washington, which is already leading in renewable energy production.
Let’s join that new dawn with our own plan to accelerate jobs and economic recovery. I know many of you have ideas for an economic recovery plan. I want to work with you, and with everyone else, for an effective package that will quickly pass. There is no reason to delay. The sooner we do it, the better it will be for working Washington families and businesses. When this recession ends, and it will end, we must be ready for a new economy. We need to preserve our education system to make sure we provide workers skilled in science, math, engineering and technology. We need to nurture and cultivate our growing life sciences and global health sectors. We need to deliver on the promise of a green economy and thousands of green collar-jobs. This is the economic future for our children and our state. Economic recovery also means tightening our belts and living within our means. We must do what the people who sent us here are doing.
There is a growing number of Washington families out there right now who suddenly find themselves living on an unemployment check. They know what it means to tighten their belts. I have proposed a two-year spending plan that addresses the largest budget gap in state history. This budget contains as much care and compassion as we could muster. But it still hurts real people, and with each cut I chose, I saw their faces. I don’t like this budget, but I proposed it for one simple reason — I must.
Let’s face it. We were dealt a terrible hand by forces beyond our control. We are forced to make unprecedented and difficult choices.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a time for real courage! I sent you a budget that rests on our basic values. And we lay the foundation to reap the results when the recovery comes. And so we will – all of us — Democrats and Republicans — working together to make the wisest, most compassionate decisions. I’m ready to work with all of you. This is what the people expect.
And one thing we have to do together is reform state government to bring it into the 21st century, and soon. At very basic levels, businesses are struggling to reform, to change the way they do business because they simply must to survive. And our business leaders tell me that American companies, large and small, will emerge from this recession forever changed.
We have to do the same. And that’s government reform. This is our chance to reform state government to make it a more nimble and relevant partner in a new state economy. Ladies and gentlemen, we need to reboot! Over the decades, state government has evolved — layer upon layer upon layer. But too much of what served the people well in 1940 or 1960 or 1990 does not serve the people well in the 21st century. There are sacred cows standing in the way. There are political roadblocks. But let’s step up to the challenge for the people who sent us here. For example, we have some 470 separate boards and commissions across numerous agencies.
Is there anybody in this chamber, or this state, who believes we need any more than half of 470 boards and commissions to serve the people of Washington? There are almost 60 involved with the Department of Social and Health Services alone.
And that’s not the only issue we face. For instance, we have three agencies managing natural resources, each with its own scientist standing in the same Washington stream. We need to reform, and we will. We need a lean, nimble state government serving our people in the 21st century.
We know we can do it because in some cases we already have. Today, almost 40 percent of license tabs are renewed online, saving hassles and gas. We can close 26 licensing offices across the state while extending hours of operation at the 10 most popular locations. We are finding new ways to serve our customers. And customer service is what it’s all about.
Today, 18,000 full-time students at our community and technical colleges are earning course credits online. It would take an additional four community colleges to offer all those classes the old-fashioned way. Thousands of people go online to check the balance on their food stamp debit card. And more than half of small business owners are filing their state taxes online. I ask you, if we can serve our motorists, our businesses, our students and our poor with 21st century technology, why can’t we serve all citizens in ways that are more convenient for them, and cheaper and more effective for government? The answer is, we can. The answer is, we will!
I’m putting the finishing touches on a package of reforms for you to consider this session. I’m asking you to act on them this year. It will take courage. But the time has come to put our sacred cows out to pasture forever.
I can’t reform government all by myself. For starters, I’ve asked Auditor Sonntag to help us figure out ways to sunset boards and commissions and to help us establish a 21st century way of doing business. I am also partnering with business and labor, state employees, citizens, and you, to get the job done. We need to make sure we have a government for the 21st century so our workers and businesses can compete with anyone in the world.
Finally this afternoon, I issue an urgent call to all Washingtonians — each and every one of us — to come together to help our neighbors in a spirit of shared generosity.
First, please join me by recognizing the men and women, who, for the past five years, have sacrificed by putting their lives on hold to fight in distant wars — and who, in some cases, have sacrificed their very lives. In Iraq last week, I met, among others, Sergeant First Class Gerald Frazier of the Washington National Guard’s Heavy Brigade Combat Team. Jerry is typical of the Washington men and women helping Iraq rebuild into a democracy — focused, committed and above all, generous. Jerry and his fellow soldiers run the American combat base at Ramadi. Let me describe their lives to you. They live in a dusty, barren desert, and they work 12 to 14-hour days, seven days a week. Jerry and his fellow soldiers definitely don’t come home to home-cooked meals — one of the seasonings on their food is dust, a lot of it. They live in retro-fitted shipping containers, and for recreation, they have a little temporary building with a TV and some weights. Because they’re in a combat zone, they don't go outside the camp. They were tickled pink when I gave them a Washington state flag to hang alongside their 12th Man flag. Let us thank them for their generosity — to the people of Iraq and to all of us.
So today, I am honored to introduce to you Jerry Frazier’s wife, Val and their two children, Caitlin and Jerry Junior, who are here to represent all the families of the dedicated men and women of the 81st Brigade. These families care enough about this world to see their spouses and parents off to a dangerous war in order to help others, and us, maintain the freedoms we have. Val and you children, please stand for a well-deserved round of applause.
Thank you, each of you, for your generosity to our country and our community. Let your spirit of giving be our spirit too. Let’s help our neighbors in need, as the Frazier family has, and as our grandparents and great-grandparents did during the Great Depression so long ago. We must find and embrace the generous spirit of those times. Let’s recognize the suffering of our neighbors.
With the terrible flooding last week, we saw once again the spark of generosity in the hearts of Washingtonians. We saw it from the people of Spokane, who turned out in huge numbers to help the city clear storm drains to ease flooding. We saw it in Snohomish where neighbors are still helping neighbors clean up, in Orting where townspeople packed sandbags, and in Lewis County where a hotel cut its room rates in half to accommodate people fleeing their homes.
Today, I want to issue a challenge. I ask every Washingtonian right now, today, to commit to at least one hour a month to help other Washingtonians in need. I personally embrace that challenge. And so does every member of my family. Will you join us? Mother Teresa once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
And please know that we are in a time when, for too many people, the things that matter most are incredibly basic — food, shelter, utilities and something deeper — the knowledge that somebody cares about them. There is no shortage of things we can do — help build shelter for poor families … volunteer at a food bank or homeless shelter … check “yes” on our utility bills to donate heat and lights to a fellow customer. And we can start by looking around — knocking on a neighbor’s door to see if they need help — and by opening our hearts. You know, the Jewish faith teaches that any society in which people care only for themselves is a society that — literally — is headed for poverty. I believe that, too. As Mother Teresa says, “No one person can do it all. But just think what we can do for each other if everybody takes responsibility.
I also want to challenge each person — if you have the means — to commit to donating four non-perishable food items each month to a food bank, or the equivalent in cash. I asked Northwest Harvest what it would mean if even one in four Washingtonians answered the challenge for just one month. Here’s what it said: The donations would feed more than 4,200 people for a month! That’s a lot of food for hungry kids, seniors and families if we all stepped up to the challenge.
And there is another challenge we can embrace next Monday — the holiday celebrating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. President-elect Obama is calling for a national day of service, and I urge all who can take part to do it. Let us join hands, and let us help each other through these difficult times.
Ladies and gentlemen, we will get through this hard time and open the door to a better, brighter day. We are Democrats and Republicans. But we are so much more. We are the sons and daughters of our gleaming high-tech cities … of our rolling wheat fields and lush orchards … of our fishing and timber towns. We are from small hamlets and far-flung suburbs. We are teachers, lawyers, salesmen, homemakers, cops, retirees, engineers, nurses, firefighters, computer experts. We are the people of Washington. We represent all the people of Washington, and we share a distinction that transcends who we are and what we are. We are One Washington and we come to serve. We are here in the year 2009 to make hard choices with courage and political will. We are here to protect families, get people back to work and prepare for the 21st century. We are here to reform our government to better serve our future, and we are here together as a family is together — to help and support each other, and to build for tomorrow.
This is the time for courage, and this is the time for generosity among all Washingtonians.
Let’s do it, ladies and gentlemen, let’s get to work!
God bless you all.
And God bless the Great State of Washington!"
The President asked the special committee to escort Governor Gregoire and her family from the House Chamber.
The President asked the special committee to escort the State elected officials from the House Chamber.
The President asked the special committee to escort the Supreme Court Justices from the House Chamber.
MOTION
On motion of Representative Kessler, the Joint Session was dissolved. The Speaker (Representative Morris presiding) assumed the chair.
The Sergeant at Arms of the House and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate escorted President of the Senate Owen, President Pro Tempore Franklin and Deputy Minority Leader Carroll, and members of the Washington State Senate from the House Chamber.
The Senate was called to order at 1:07 p.m. by President Owen.
MOTION
At 1:08 p.m., on motion of Senator Eide, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 noon, Thursday, January 15, 2009.
BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate
THOMAS HOEMANN, Secretary of the Senate