Tag Archives: Press Releases

Mt. Spokane High School brothers travel to Olympia to serve as House pages

Gavin and Preston Furulie, two brothers from Colbert, recently traveled to Olympia and served in the state House of Representatives as pages.

The brothers are both Eagle Scouts attending Mt. Spokane High School. They are the sons of Grant and DeLori Furulie and were sponsored by Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy.
Pages spend two hours each day in a classroom setting learning about the legislative process. They perform various duties including distributing intercampus mail, handing out amendments on the House floor during legislative sessions and can even take part in opening flag ceremonies.

Pages must have permission from a parent or guardian, permission from their school, and be between the ages of 14 and 16. They make $35 per day and are responsible for their own transportation and housing, although the House of Representatives provides a list of potential housing options.

For more information about the page program, call the Legislative Information Center at (360) 786-7573 or visit https://leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

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Gov. Inslee vetoes Rep. Short’s bill to help rural development

‘The governor is saying he trusts state agencies more than locally-elected officials,’ says Short

Governor Jay Inslee has vetoed legislation sponsored by Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, that would have helped rural development in the 7th Legislative District.
“I’m very disappointed the governor didn’t sign this legislation. This is another example of Olympia saying they know what’s best for us,” said Short, R-Addy. “The governor is saying he trusts state agencies more than locally-elected officials who know the issues and problems we face here in rural Washington.”

Short’s bill, House Bill 2061, would have created a pilot project to allow certain rural counties to approve small-scale water systems, known as Group B water systems, based on the water delivered instead of the raw water source. The pilot project required reporting water quality information to the Legislature in 2019 and would have expired in 2021 unless renewed by subsequent legislation.

Several years ago, the state Department of Health decided to no longer regulate Group B water systems, instead allowing local jurisdictions to approve these water systems. However, the rules put in place by the department required more stringent standards than previously required. Short said the problem came about because the options available to local officials simply don’t work.

“If the Department of Health would have worked with our local officials we wouldn’t be having this problem,” said Short. “We worked diligently with our local folks to come up with a hybrid solution that was a good balance between keeping the quality of our drinking water safe and helping rural development. Unfortunately, the department’s attitude of ‘our way or the highway’ didn’t help anybody. And the governor has decided to support unelected bureaucrats in Olympia rather than trust local officials who know what’s best for their region and their citizens.”

Short’s bill faced intense scrutiny in the Legislature with several public hearings in multiple committees and many conversations with legislators on both sides of the aisle. In the end, it gained bipartisan support in both the House and Senate with many Democrats and most Republicans voting in favor of the bill.

“Frankly I don’t think the department thought we had a chance to pass this bill,” said Short. “But we worked with several members in both chambers to educate them on the unique situations we face with rural development and small water systems. I think the department’s play all along was to simply appeal to the governor to kill it.

“But we’ll be back. This isn’t the end of the issue,” said Short. “We’ll continue to work for solutions to help rural development that also keeps our water clean and safe. I’m hopeful the department will realize that just saying ‘no’ doesn’t serve anybody.”

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Rep. Short awarded Legislator of the Year by Hunters Heritage Council

Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, was recently awarded “Legislator of the Year” by the Hunters Heritage Council (HHC). The HHC is Washington’s largest hunting-rights organization with nearly 50 organizations representing 45,000 members advocating for hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation.

Short, who has represented Northeast Washington’s 7th Legislative District since 2009, received the award for her efforts to push the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Wildlife Commission to acknowledge the impacts of predators on local ungulate populations and for stressing the importance of predator management on hunting activities.

“There are folks out there who think hunting is just part of the rural lifestyle, and it is, but it’s also so much more than that,” said Short, R-Addy. “Hunting is a significant economic driver for our state and especially Northeast Washington. We have hotels, diners, retail stores, guides, land owners and more who depend on hunters spending money in our area. The economic activity that results from a healthy, thriving hunting community benefits us all. Whether it’s managing our predators in a more efficient way or finding solutions to encourage the next generation of hunters, I’ll continue to work hard to make sure hunting continues to be a successful, viable option for those who want to participate.”

According to Hunting Works for Washington, a hunting advocacy group, hunting supports 5,600 jobs, creates over $600 million annually in economic activity for Washington state, and generates approximately $40 million in state and local taxes.

Short also said the number of people who rely on hunting for subsistence should not be overlooked.

“Subsistence hunting is not just for those who live in extreme rural areas,” said Short. “I know friends from Colville to Spokane to Deer Park to Metaline Falls that absolutely count on the provision they get from hunting. If they had to fill their freezers with something else it would be a huge burden on their family finances.”

Short said she’s proud to stand up for hunting families and will continue her work to try to make hunting more accessible and affordable for Washington citizens.

PHOTO CAPTION: Rep. Shelly Short on the House floor with the 2015 Legislator of the Year award from the Hunters Heritage Council.

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

House passes Rep. Short’s bill to help rural development

In a late-night floor session on Tuesday, Feb. 16, the state House of Representatives passed legislation designed to help rural development and give counties more options when approving water systems.

Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy and sponsor of House Bill 2061, said it was another tool in the toolbox for local jurisdictions to approve Group B water systems and help spur rural development.

“There are many barriers to rural development,” said Short, R-Addy. “I’m always looking for effective ways to loosen the bureaucratic red tape to help make housing more affordable and some level of development more attractive and attainable for our local builders.”

Short’s bill provides an important option for local governments to approve Group B water systems with nine or fewer connections as long as the water provided by the system meets the local potable water quality standards at the point of delivery. This authority applies only to the four northeast counties in the 7th Legislative district and has an initial sunset clause, expiring in 2021.

“There are still stringent water quality standards and accountability built into the process,” said Short. “But this will make it easier for smaller developments to be approved by the county legislative authorities.”

HB 2061 passed the House 70-27 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

The 2016 legislative session is scheduled to end March 10.

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

7th District legislators to host telephone town hall

7th District legislators to host telephone town hall

7th District legislators Reps. Shelly Short and Joel Kretz, along with Sen. Brian Dansel, will host a telephone town hall on Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Residents wishing to participate can call 509-724-2970.

This community conversation allows citizens to interact with their elected officials in an informal setting from the comfort of their own home. Legislators will take questions as they discuss state government issues and the 2016 legislative session. Listeners can ask questions and participate further by answering poll questions.

WHAT: 7th District telephone town hall meeting.
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 3 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHO: All 7th District residents and invited to participate with their elected officials.
HOW: Dial 509-724-2970

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bill to help rural areas deliver mental health services signed into law

Legislation to help rural areas more efficiently and effectively deliver certain mental health and chemical dependency services to patients was signed into law recently by Gov. Jay Inslee.

House Bill 1727, sponsored by Reps. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax and Shelly Short, R-Addy, will allow nursing assistants to work for certain licensed mental health service providers.

Under current law, nursing assistants may participate in delivering nursing-related services in health care facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals, hospice care facilities, home health care agencies or hospices agencies. The new law adds licensed service providers under the Community Mental Health Services Act to this list.

“Allowing nursing assistants to work in certain mental health facilities, like chemical dependency treatment, will help our rural areas deliver services more efficiently,” said Schmick, who is the ranking Republican on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. “Nursing assistants can take weight, pulse and blood pressure readings and other duties, freeing up registered nurses to perform other duties.”

Schmick worked with Rep. Short to get the bill hearings in the House and Senate and to work the bill through the lengthy legislative process. Between the two House members, their legislative districts comprise huge swaths of rural land in Eastern Washington.

“We’re seeing much greater use of telemedicine in rural areas, especially in mental health and chemical dependency services,” said Short. “The idea for this bill was brought to us by a constituent who saw a better, more efficient way of delivering services for our patients back home. With the continued pressure on our rural hospitals and rural health services, we need to do everything we can do to help streamline things and make it cost effective for folks living in rural areas to receive the treatments they need.”

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

For more information about Rep. Schmick, visit:
www.representativejoeschmick.com

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Governor Jay Inslee signs Rep. Short’s bill to help keep local construction costs affordable

In the final weeks of the 2015 legislative session, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law legislation aimed at controlling construction costs in Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties.

Currently, there are two designated climate zones in Washington, delineated between the western and eastern parts of the state. House Bill 1011 prevents Northeast Washington from being designated its own climate zone.

Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy and sponsor of the legislation, said it was important to make sure counties are not isolated when adopting building code rules.

“If we were to allow the Washington State Building Code Council to segment counties into different or unique climate zones when determining codes, rules and procedures, our local building costs would go up substantially,” said Short. “Our local builders would have to buy special-order materials and follow procedures that, according to testimony we heard in committee, could increase building costs for our region by several thousands of dollars per house.”

Short’s bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously earlier in the session and was recently signed by the governor. It goes into effect 90 days after the end of the 2015 regular session.

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Rep. Short’s bill to study wolf impacts on ungulate populations passes state House

With 12 of the state’s 16 confirmed wolf packs living in Northeast Washington, residents continue to have significant concerns about wolf encounters with livestock, people and pets. Another concern for Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, and local hunters and small business owners is the impacts a recovering wolf population has had on the ungulates in our state, and especially Northeast Washington.

“Just as the wolf recovery plan relies on ample numbers of ungulates – deer, elk and moose – as a food source, so do many of our rural economies depend on the dollars associated with hunting these animals,” said Short. “We know that hunters are reporting less success in the field since wolf populations have grown, which means more vacancy signs at local hotels and less people eating at restaurants or buying fuel.

“With our proximity to Idaho and British Columbia, we know we’re going to see more than our fair share of wolves. But understanding how the recovery plan is impacting our ungulate populations is vital to protecting our rural economies and our way of life,” said Short. “A very specific part of the recovery plan states that the local ungulate population must be adequate to support the number of wolves in the plan, yet we don’t know the impacts wolves have had to date. We have circumstantial and anecdotal evidence, but not hard scientific data. This bill gets us on the road to understand the wolf recovery plan’s full impact to our region.”

House Bill 1676 directs the University of Washington’s Predator Ecology Lab to conduct a peer-reviewed study in certain Game Management Units to assess the state’s wild ungulate population and how they have changed due to the wolf recovery plan. Short said a similar study is currently underway by the university on land owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The new study would be carried out over the next four years.

Short’s bill passed the House unanimously and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

The 105-day 2015 legislative session is scheduled to end April 26.

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

House unanimously approves Rep. Short’s bill to help keep local construction costs down

The Washington State House of Representatives today approved a bill designed to protect northeast Washington home construction costs from rising unnecessarily through new climate zone rules.

House Bill 1011, sponsored by Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, would protect Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties in northeast Washington from having additional requirements imposed on them, which would drive up local construction costs.

Currently, there are two designated climate zones in Washington, delineated between the western and eastern parts of the state. Short’s bill would keep northeast Washington from being designated its own climate zone.

“Smaller, rural counties often share resources, training, staff and expertise with neighboring larger counties when it comes to building code issues,” said Short. “Eastern Washington has been, and should continue to be, considered one climate zone. There is no need to segregate and isolate northeast Washington. My bill simply places this in statute so that a future rule change doesn’t negatively impact our local builders and make construction costs go up unnecessarily, harming those in need of affordable housing.”

Short’s bill was unanimously approved by the state House and now goes to the state Senate for further consideration.

The 105-day session is scheduled to end April 26.

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: www.representativeshellyshort.com.

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Rep. Short’s media:

Washington State House Republican Communications
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov
461 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600