| It’s working, Olympia is listening to you! With the start of a second special session, the Washington Legislature is getting closer to reaching agreement on the 2013-2015 budget. Already, because of voices like yours, the House leaders have dropped their plan to extend a temporary Business & Occupation tax, saving Washingtonians over $500 million in additional taxes.What remains to be done is more than simple split-the-difference negotiating. The Majority Coalition in the Senate has passed a series of reform bills that are essential to running state government efficiently and stopping the perpetual budget deficits facing legislators.- Senate Bill 5127 would prevent higher workers’ compensation taxes by allowing workers to take a lump-sum settlement of their claims, an option allowed in 44 other states.
– Putting the focus on education, Senate Bill 5895 would limit the rate of growth of non-education spending to inflation and population growth. – Giving principals more control over the staffing of their schools is the object of Senate Bill 5242. To hold principals accountable for improving the performance of their schools, they need the ability to choose the best teachers available. These reform bills, as well as many others, have passed in the Senate but have not been given a vote in the House. We need you to keep up the pressure on the Representatives in the House to include these needed reforms in the budget negotiations, and to create a budget bill that works for the citizens of Washington in this and future budget cycles. Thank you for all you do for economic freedom! Sincerely, Contact our Representatives today! |