‘With local economies continuing to struggle, and with families trying to keep food on the table, farmers markets are playing a more vital role for both,’ says Short Legislation introduced during the 2010 legislative session to help farmers markets is now law in Washington state. Substitute House Bill 2402, which...

Democrats’ budget relies on largest tax increase in state history to continue failed budget policies In what Republican Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short called an “unconscionable move,” majority Democrats in the Legislature passed a state supplemental operating budget that assumes nearly $1 billion in new and higher taxes this...

‘I just feel like our arguments and our statistics have fallen on deaf ears within the majority party and in the governor’s office,’ says Schmick Despite a House Democrat budget proposal that officially wipes Pine Lodge Correction Center off the state budget books, two local legislators aren’t giving up the...

‘The voters want tax increases to be a last resort not the first option when it comes to dealing with years of overspending,’ says Kretz Washington state taxpayers had their voices silenced today as majority Democrats in the state House of Representatives approved legislation repealing voter-approved Initiative 960, the Taxpayers...

  Feb. 11, 2010   Dear Friends, While you are hard at work trying to make ends meet, the Democratic majority is working hard to increase your taxes. This weekend you have the opportunity to tell them exactly what you think about their plans to take more of your hard-earned...

  Lawmakers want public input, feedback on governor’s proposal to close women’s corrections facility In response to the many public inquiries and potential public safety issues due to the proposed closure of the Pine Lodge Corrections Center For Women in Medical Lake, local Senate and House lawmakers will host a...

  Jan. 20, 2010 Dear Friends and neighbors, I’ve found these email updates to be a great way to reach you and other constituents with important news and information affecting our district and state. But election year restrictions limit my ability to send out these e-newsletters unless you agree to...

  Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short will host a town hall over the phone for their constituents Monday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.  To participate, callers should call toll-free 1-877-229-8493 and then enter pin number 15429. The legislators will use new technology to communicate with constituents about the issues...

  By Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short It’s not rocket science to figure out that folks need work. Our state’s unemployment rate is now a staggering 9.2 percent. More than 310,000 people are out of work in this state – not counting folks who have simply given up looking...