Author Archives: brianzylstra

Sen. Short discusses her GMA bills in the Senate Local Government Committee.

Senate panel hears Short bills seeking to improve GMA to create more housing

State Sen. Shelly Short’s effort to make housing more affordable and available in Washington took an important step when the Senate Local Government Committee held public hearings last Thursday on five bills (SB 5193, SB 5194, SB 5242, SB 5243 and SB 5245) she’s introduced to make adjustments to the state’s Growth Management Act.

Short, R-Addy and the ranking Republican on the Local Government Committee, is one of several Senate Republicans spearheading legislative efforts to address homelessness and housing problems across Washington.

“The issue we have heard repeatedly throughout the state, not just in my communities in the 7th District, is the challenges we’re having with housing shortages,” said Short. “Those challenges certainly didn’t just happen overnight, but we’re seeing increased homelessness and people struggling to find access to affordable housing. These bills are designed to give flexibility to local governments in opening up land that could ultimately become available for housing.”

Short said her bills focus on updating the Growth Management Act in urban and rural communities that can assist in making housing available and affordable in Washington. They also represent a compilation of concerns that local governments and residents have shared over the years.

“What we need to understand is that jurisdictions have unique needs,” said Short. “The land-use decisions in this state have become very rigid, which is due in part to how the Growth Management Act (GMA) has been interpreted over the years. It is critical that GMA be brought back to the guidance tool for planning it was originally designed for and allow local jurisdictions and communities to address the growing population and housing challenges that are in front of us in the 21^st century. Unfortunately, groups like Futurewise and Olympia bureaucrats have turned the GMA into a regulatory morass, ‘saving us from ourselves’ and forcing our communities to look like they want us to. My bills bring back the most important voices in land-use planning, that of local citizens.”

Short received support, along with helpful suggestions, from a number of state associations and state agencies during last week’s hearing.

7th Legislative District lawmakers elected to leadership positions

All three members of the 7th District’s legislative team – Sen. Shelly Short and Reps. Joel Kretz and Jacquelin Maycumber – will serve in leadership posts when the 2019 legislative session begins in January.

During their reorganization meeting Monday, House Republican members re-elected Kretz as their Deputy Leader. They also elected Maycumber as an Assistant Floor Leader.

As Deputy Leader, Kretz will serve as a spokesperson for the House Republicans’ legislative agenda, appoint ranking members on House committees and meet with them on a regular basis, serve on the House Rules Committee and meet with the Governor and other officials in support of the Republican agenda.

“Having all three legislators from one district in elected leadership positions is unique and, I think, reflects the quality of the district itself,” said Kretz, R-Wauconda. “No one is going to work harder for their constituents and you can bet that the concerns of our neighbors will be right there with us in the room as we make decisions in Olympia.”

As Assistant Floor Leader, Maycumber will assist the House Republicans’ Floor Leader in organizing actions on the House floor, as well as develop and implement messaging by the caucus on legislative issues.

“It’s truly an honor to be elected to a leadership position that allows me to be a voice for our hard-working taxpayers and families,” said Maycumber, R-Republic. “Standing against tax increases, making our economy a priority, and increasing opportunities for our children are all things we will be working toward.”

Senate Republicans elected Short as their Floor Leader during their reorganization meeting Nov. 16.

As Floor Leader, Short will be responsible for developing Senate floor action plans, including debate, as well as initiating and responding to parliamentary action on the floor. Short also will meet with other Senate Republican leaders to coordinate strategy and help oversee caucus agenda and messaging development.

“I’m honored to be chosen as part of our leadership team in the Senate and look forward to working with my colleagues in this new role” said Short, R-Addy. “It’s also quite remarkable to have all three legislators from the same district in leadership. Having Joel, Jacquelin and me in these positions strengthens our ability to ensure that folks in our district are heard loud and clear!”

Other members of the Senate Republicans’ 2019 leadership team are:

Leader: Sen. Mark Schoesler, Ritzville

Caucus Chair: Sen. Randi Becker, Eatonville

Whip: Sen. Ann Rivers, La Center

Deputy Leader: Sen. Sharon Brown, Kennewick

Caucus Vice Chair: Sen. Judy Warnick, Moses Lake

Deputy Floor Leader: Sen. Brad Hawkins, East Wenatchee

Deputy Whip: Sen. Barbara Bailey, Oak Harbor

Other members of the House Republicans’ new leadership team are:

Leader: Rep. J.T. Wilcox, Yelm

Caucus Chair: Rep. Paul Harris, Vancouver

Vice-Caucus Chair: Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, Goldendale

Floor Leader: Rep. Drew Stokesbary, Auburn

Assistant Floor Leader: Rep. Drew MacEwen, Union

Whip: Rep. Dan Griffey, Allyn

The 2019 legislative session begins Jan. 14 and is scheduled to last 105 days.

Senate Republicans’ plan addresses affordable-housing problem in Washington

Senate Republicans announced today they will introduce a package of bills in 2019 to address one of the main causes of Washington’s homelessness problem: the lack of affordable and available housing.

At a news conference held at Quixote Village, an Olympia-based community of 30 tiny cabins for the homeless, three Republican senators discussed their concerns about affordable housing and shared how the proposals would help reduce homelessness in the state.

“Homelessness continues to be a serious problem in Washington, and one of the key factors causing it is the lack of affordable, available housing,” said Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville. “Many people assume this problem exists only in the Seattle area, but the lack of affordable and available housing is evident in many other communities across the state. Our affordable-housing package can help remove obstacles that are preventing more housing options from becoming reality.”

The affordable-housing proposals will include planning-stage reforms that affect urban growth areas and the Growth Management Act, reforms related to appeals of Growth Management Act decisions, tiny house reforms, property-tax reforms for seniors, disabled veterans and disabled persons, and connecting the homeless with services.

“Solving homelessness is a very challenging and complex issue, but simply throwing money at it isn’t going to work,” said Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy. “According to a recent news report, nearly $200 million a year is spent on homelessness in King County, but the problem there is very far from over. Here at the state level, it’s time to try a different approach to provide more available housing, including making needed changes to urban growth area boundaries and the Growth Management Act. More available housing will mean more affordable housing.”

Short, who serves the 7th Legislative District in northeast Washington, plans to introduce legislation that would give planning jurisdictions flexibility to adjust urban growth area boundaries in response to development pressures. Short also intends to sponsor a bill to create an opt-out process for counties that originally opted in to the Growth Management Act but are suffering economically.

Sen. Hans Zeiger, R-Puyallup, will sponsor bills to reform rules related to tiny houses and tiny-house villages. They include legislation allowing tiny houses to be detached from the primary dwelling unit and utilized as additional housing, enabling jurisdictions to more easily permit tiny-house villages, and helping local jurisdictions streamline the permitting process for tiny-house villages and manufactured home parks to exist outside an urban growth area under limited circumstances.

“Tiny houses and villages are becoming more common throughout the country, and they are innovative ways to help provide more housing for those who need it, but there are rules and restrictions that keep them from being utilized as a meaningful part of an overall solution to homelessness,” said Zeiger, who serves the 25th Legislative District in Pierce County. “My bills would offer common-sense reforms so more tiny houses and tiny-house villages can be built and help reduce homelessness.”

Becker, whose 2nd District includes Eatonville, Yelm and parts of Lacey and Puyallup, will introduce legislation that aims to provide a valuation freeze and state property-tax exemption for the primary residence of a disabled veteran, senior citizen or disabled individual, if the home’s value is below the county median value or the combined household income is below $100,000.

According to the state Department of Commerce, there are more than 22,000 homeless people at any point in time in Washington. A recent news report said sales of single-family homes in King County fell 16 percent in October, while months of inventory, which had been extremely low during the summer, has increased to more than two months. A health housing market that doesn’t favor sellers or buyers is considered to have an inventory range of four to six months, the news story reported.

The 2019 legislative session begins Jan. 14 and is scheduled to last 105 days.

Kirsten Hallock serves as page for Sen. Short

Kirsten Hallock, a junior at Mead High School, spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Kirsten was one of 30 students who served as Senate pages for the eighth week of the 2018 legislative session.

She was sponsored by 7th Legislative District Sen. Shelly Short, who serves Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties and parts of Spokane and Okanogan counties.

“We’re glad Kirsten was able to learn so much during her week here,” Short said. “I hope she enjoyed experiencing the legislative process up close and getting to know everyone!”

The Senate Page Program provides an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working at the Legislature. Students transport documents between offices, as well as deliver messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a mock session.

“Getting to know how the government works and getting to see how everything is actually done was really interesting,” Kirsten said. She added that it was a great experience, and she enjoyed getting out of her comfort zone and meeting so many new people.

Kirsten, the 16-year-old daughter of Bob and Erica Hallock of Spokane, enjoys playing volleyball and lacrosse.

Students interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit: https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram/ .

Alexandria Stickney serves as page for Sen. Short

Alexandria Stickney, a freshman at Colville High School, spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Alexandria was one of 30 students who served as Senate pages for the eighth week of the 2018 legislative session.

She was sponsored by 7th Legislative District Sen. Shelly Short, who serves Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties and parts of Spokane and Okanogan counties.

“Ali was a great page, I’m happy she got to meet so many people and make new friends,” Short said. “What a great opportunity for her to experience the legislative process up close and am glad that she had such a wonderful time at the Legislature.”

“Being on the floor and talking to Sen. Short was my favorite part of the week,” Alexandria said. She added she’ll always remember all the friends she made while paging at the Legislature.

Alexandria, the 15-year-old daughter of Larry and Polly Stickney of Addy, enjoys soccer, track, leadership and Rocket Club.

Students interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to visit: https://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram/ .

Short blasts Democrats for supporting raid of voter-approved rainy-day fund

Calling it an irresponsible gimmick that threatens Washington’s future budget stability, 7th District Sen. Shelly Short criticized Senate Democrats for approving legislation that would raid the state’s savings account that is set aside for budget emergencies.

Short, R-Addy, said the Democrats’ passage of an amendment to Senate Bill 6614 to get around the need to obtain a 60-percent majority would brush aside voters’ wishes by violating the intent and spirit of voter-approved state budget protections to put extraordinary revenue into the state savings account called the rainy-day fund.

Using money from this fund generally requires a 60-percent “yes” vote by the Legislature.

SB 6614 was passed 25-23 Wednesday night, on the next-to-last day of the 2018 legislative session.

“The Senate Democrats’ proposal not only is absolutely reckless and incredibly irresponsible, it also ignores the will of a strong majority of Washington voters who created the rainy-day fund more than a decade ago and strengthened it a few years later,” said Short. She said the Democrats’ plan could put the state’s bond rating in jeopardy by unnecessarily shrinking the emergency account even though the state’s economy is generating an unexpectedly high level of tax revenue.

“Over the years, Washington has earned strong marks from debt-rating agencies thanks to a record of being fiscally responsible and maintaining strong reserves,” Short added. “The Democrats’ move to raid the state’s savings account sends a bad message to the bond industry that Washington is willing to spend recklessly instead of saving responsibly. This could come back to haunt us by weakening our bond rating, which would hurt not only our state but also our local cities, counties and school districts.”

The state’s chief economist has indicated the state will collect about $2.3 billion more than anticipated since the Legislature passed its 2017-19 state operating budget last June.

The Democrats’ proposed rewrite of the bill would funnel $935 million in property-tax revenues to the education legacy trust account. Redirecting the money lowers state general fund revenues, which circumvents the law by reducing the amount of money going into the state’s rainy-day fund by more than $700 million.

“A strong, healthy rainy-day fund helps in time of disaster or emergency and protects important state services from deep cuts in bad economic times like we have endured in the past, and most recently in 2008. Our state has experienced economic peaks and valleys that cause the state’s revenue collections to rise and fall. That’s why it’s so important to build and maintain a cushion when – not if, but when – the next downturn hits Washington,” Short said.

Short said the Democrats’ plan also would cause future extra revenue that would go into the rainy-day fund to be diverted elsewhere.

“Moving future excess revenue away from this account is a dangerous move that could leave our state budget vulnerable in case of an economic downturn,” Short said.

Short said she wishes Senate Democrats had offered to provide one-time property-tax relief to Washington property owners without raiding the state’s savings account.

“We had a rare opportunity to provide meaningful relief to property owners who experienced a spike in their property-tax bills this year without using part of the rainy-day fund. It’s too bad the Democrats chose a more reckless direction,” Short said.

In 2007, about 68 percent of Washington voters approved Senate Joint Resolution 8206, which created a constitutionally protected rainy-day fund that requires the Legislature to set aside 1 percent of revenues annually for financially hard times. A majority of voters in every county approved the rainy-day fund measure.

In 2011, 66.6 percent of Washington voters approved another measure, also numbered Senate Joint Resolution 8206, which amended the state constitution by requiring the Legislature to transfer additional money to the budget stabilization account in which the state has received “extraordinary revenue growth.” Again, a majority of voters in all 39 counties approved the measure.

Legislative Update: Feb. 16, 2018

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are concluding the busiest week yet of the 2018 legislative session. Seven of the past eight days (including last Saturday morning) have been dedicated to “floor action.” This means being on the floor of the Senate chamber to debate and vote on bills. We had floor action that went late into the evening more than once. In fact, one night we were working on the floor until after 1 a.m.

This Wednesday was “floor cutoff,” meaning the deadline for the Senate to pass its own bills. Now that this long round of floor action is behind us (the same goes for my colleagues in the House), we have reached a key point in the session.

My Senate colleagues and I again are focused on committee meetings, this time on bills that were approved by the House. The House committees are doing the same with Senate bills that are still alive.

Latest revenue forecast: Economic growth stronger than expected; time for property-tax relief

The new state revenue forecast released Thursday showed good news. Because of revenue collections coming in stronger than projected and an improved economic-growth outlook due in part to the recent federal tax reform, the expected revenue collections are up by $1.3 billion over the next three years, since the previous forecast in November. This new money is in addition to the $1 billion in new tax collections that have been projected since the Legislature passed a new state budget last year.

This week’s revenue forecast reinforces my Republican colleagues’ belief that we can and should pass a supplemental operating budget without raising taxes or creating an energy tax.

The positive forecast news strengthens the case for offering property-tax relief this year. SB 6439 proposes a $1 billion property tax cut to deal with a one-time “spike” in 2018 property taxes caused by the new school-financing plan adopted by the Legislature last year.

Senate passes two of my bills!

Two of my bills are now past the halfway point of the lawmaking process:

Senate Bill 6155 seeks to increase awareness of the need for bone-marrow donors. It would require the state Department of Licensing to provide each driver’s license or identicard applicant with written materials regarding bone-marrow donation. This proposal was scheduled for a public hearing in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee this morning.
Senate Bill 6157 would help patients have access to the health-care benefits for which they have already paid for in their health plans. It would allow people better access to health care by changing an insurance carrier’s initial prior-authorization process so patients can have six consecutive treatment visits, without prior authorization, with specialty-care providers that have been determined to be medically necessary. This bill would not expand health-care benefits. The House Health Care and Wellness Committee will have a public hearing on SB 6157 next Tuesday.

Honoring Canine Crusaders

It was my pleasure to sponsor a Senate resolution Thursday honoring the Kettle Falls Canine Crusaders, one of the many FIRST Robotics teams across America. The Canine Crusaders, led by Naomi Edwards, spend time in elementary and middle schools in our area to help expose younger students to creative, technical and critical thinking, and to let students know the importance and value of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). It’s a great program that helps so many of our students! You can view my resolution here.

Contact Me

Phone: (360) 786-7612 | Email: Shelly.Short@leg.wa.gov |

Mail: P.O. Box 40407 Olympia, Washington 98504-0407

Online: https://shellyshort.src.wastateleg.org/

Senate passes Short bill aimed at better access to health-care benefits

The Senate voted 42-4 to approve a bill introduced by Sen. Shelly Short that would help patients have access to the health-care benefits for which they have already paid for in their health plans.

“This bill represents the culmination of nearly two years of work with insurance carriers, providers and patients,” said Short, R-Addy. “I cannot tell you how many patients and providers throughout our district have come forward to share their frustrations. Ultimately, giving patients that access to timely care allows them the best chance of recovery without extended opioid use or surgery.”

Short said her legislation, Senate Bill 6157, would allow people better access to health care by changing an insurance carrier’s initial prior-authorization process so patients can have six consecutive treatment visits, without prior authorization, with specialty-care providers that have been determined to be medically necessary.

During her Senate floor speech Monday in support of the bill, Short told fellow senators that her proposal would not expand health benefits.

“This bill is about patients having access to the health-care benefits they already paid for,” Short said. “This bill does not prevent the insurers’ use of prior authorization. In fact, many carriers in this state told me they already internally allow up to six visits. The unfortunate problem and the reason for this legislation is the lack of consistency in how they do that.

“One of my constituents had a shoulder injury, and she was told by both her primary care doctor and her surgeon that she should have intensive physical therapy and not surgery. And yet because of the internal carrier’s process, she was frustrated and did not get access to her visits in a timely manner that gave her the best chance of recovery,” Short added.

SB 6157 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Legislative update: Feb. 7, 2018

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are at the halfway point of this year’s 60-day legislative session. If you think there aren’t many bills introduced just because it’s a “short session” this year, think again! So far this year, there have been nearly 2,000 new bills in the Legislature (994 in the Senate and 989 in the House).

Of course, the number of bills introduced has tailed off dramatically since we reached a key deadline last Friday: It was the last day for Senate policy committees to pass bills that began there. The bills that cleared the committee hurdle are still alive, but those measures that were not approved are technically considered dead for the session.

This week we are changing gears and devoting very long hours each day into the night and over the weekend to Senate floor sessions in which we debate and vote on bills that survived the committee cutoff. Feb. 14 is the last day for us to vote on bills originating in the Senate.

Two of my bills passed by committees

I’m pleased that two of my bills survived the Senate committee cutoff last week and proceeded to the Senate Rules Committee, the final hurdle before going to the floor for a full Senate vote.

SB 6155 would increase awareness of the need for bone-marrow donors by requiring the Department of Licensing to provide each driver’s license or identicard applicant with written materials regarding bone-marrow donations. The bill was inspired by 10-year-old Jada Bascom, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007 and received a life-saving marrow transplant. Jada and her grandmother, Jeana Moore, both of Deer Park, testified in favor of the bill (pictured here) before the committee. Rep. Maycumber has a companion bill, HB 2557, that is close to being passed by the full House.
SB 6157 would allow folks better access to health care by changing an insurance carrier’s initial prior-authorization process so patients can have a consecutive number of treatment visits with specialty-care providers that have been determined to be medically necessary.

Carbon tax proposal still alive

Each year there are “red flag” bills introduced in Olympia that are horrendous. This year, one particular bill that should concern all of us is SB 6203.

It would create a tax on carbon emissions in Washington, more accurately described as an energy tax. The bill proposes a new tax of $10 per metric ton of carbon emissions. It would begin in 2019 and in 2021 would increase $2 per ton each year until it is capped at $30 a ton. The tax will equate to a 30-cent-a-gallon fuel tax increase that starts at 10 cents. Washington already has the second-highest gas tax in the nation. With federal taxes, taxes would soon approach $1 a gallon! And it wouldn’t do a thing for our state’s roads and bridges.

You’d think a proposal to tax carbon would somehow improve Washington’s environment. But this proposal really isn’t about our environment. It’s really just a way to raise more revenue for state government.

This tax will hurt just about anyone who uses energy in our state, whether for power, heat or fuel. It would be especially burdensome on low- and middle-income families and those who live a long distance from where they work. We have made great strides in our state by adopting incentive-based policies that protect our environment. This bill is incredibly regressive and punitive.

This proposal also provides exemptions for 56 industry groups, but there is no exemption for Washington’s small businesses, which employ half of our state’s workforce. If the energy tax become reality, business recruitment to our state will suffer. By raising electricity prices, we would hamper one of Washington’s biggest competitive advantages – low-cost power.

SB 6203 was amended and passed last week by the Senate Energy, Environment and Technology Committee. The bill currently is in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. If it reaches the Senate floor, I can assure you I will fight it and do everything I can to bring the bill down.

Marrow registration event at Capitol

Rep. Maycumber and I were among several legislators who helped promote a marrow registration event yesterday at the Capitol. The registration drive, sponsored by the Senate, was led by Be The Match. By day’s end, dozens of individuals signed up as potential donors and educational literature was distributed as well!

7th District telephone town hall a success

The telephone town hall meeting that Reps. Kretz and Maycumber and I held on Jan. 23 was a rousing success! We had more than 500 people call in to listen to the discussion as we provided an update on what’s been happening this session and the bills we’re sponsoring. We also fielded questions from dozens of callers. I appreciate people taking time from their busy schedules to join us on the phone. Using telephone town hall meetings is a great way for us to stay in touch with the district, especially one as large as the 7th! I’m proud to say that our district typically has the best call-in numbers for any telephone town hall in the state!

Contact Me

Phone: (360) 786-7612 | Email: Shelly.Short@leg.wa.gov |

Mail: P.O. Box 40407 Olympia, Washington 98504-0407

Online: https://shellyshort.src.wastateleg.org/