Tag Archives: Press Releases

Governor signs Short’s veterans bill into law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14, 2013

CONTACT: Brendon Wold, Deputy Communications Director – (360) 786-7698

Governor signs Short’s veterans bill into law

Veterans living outside Washington who’ve been disabled in the line of duty will find it cheaper and easier to hunt and fish in our state thanks to a proposal sponsored by Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy. The legislation, House Bill 1192, will also begin the process of “reciprocity,” making it cheaper for Washington’s disabled veterans to hunt and fish in other states as well.

“This bill would allow veterans with disabilities in other states to qualify for reduced hunting and fishing license fees here in Washington,” said Short. “It would also encourage reciprocity – that is, it would encourage other states to offer the same discounted license fees to our state’s veterans. We have veterans with disabilities that would like to hunt and fish in other states; and wounded veterans from other states that would like to participate in those activities here in Washington. I think it’s the least we can do for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

Short’s bill was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee on May 1. Constituents and veterans from Ferry County joined Short at the bill-signing ceremony.

PHOTO CAPTION: From Left to Right: Ted Wicorek, from the Veterans’ Legislative Coalition, Ann Larson from DFW, Gov. Jay Inslee, Moose Scott, Rep. Shelly Short and Stan Christie at a bill-signing ceremony for House Bill 1192.

For more information about Rep. Short, visit: houserepublicans.wa.gov/short.

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Rep. Short’s media:

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

Eastern Washington residents earn right to protect against wolf attacks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2013

Interviews:
Sen. John Smith (360) 786-7869
Rep. Shelly Short (360) 786-7908
Rep. Joel Kretz (360) 786-7988
Download a print quality photo of Sen. Smith
Download a print quality photo of Rep. Short
Download a print quality photo of Rep. Kretz

Eastern Washington residents earn right to protect against wolf attacks

After months of negotiations and legislative public hearings about how to address threats posed by gray wolves in northeast and north central Washington, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission today adopted an emergency rule that allows people to lethally remove a gray wolf without a permit in order to protect their property, pets and livestock.

The change to the state’s wolf-conservation and -management plan was spurred by a letter sent to the commission earlier this week, which asked for consideration of the proposed rule. The letter was signed by 10 state legislators, including Sen. John Smith and Reps. Shelly Short and Joel Kretz – the 7th District delegation that has worked tirelessly for months on wolf-related bills that became the subject of heated debates throughout the course of this legislative session.

“I am encouraged by the commission’s commitment to address the critical issues that affect Washington residents as wolves continue to multiply at a rapid pace,” said Smith, R-Colville. “This has truly been a team effort by Representatives Short and Kretz, district county commissioners and the thousands of residents who told their stories and voiced their opinions.

Smith’s measure, Senate Bill 5187, laid the foundation for the emergency rule’s adoption today.

“This is a good first step to move the conversation forward,” said Short, R-Addy. “I want folks back home to know that not only did we hear them, we never gave up trying to find a solution so that our constituents can have the peace-of-mind protection they need to protect their families, pets and livelihoods.”

The provision is only for federally delisted portions of Washington. Other stipulations include: any wolf kill must be reported to the state Fish and Wildlife Department within 24 hours; the wolf carcass must be surrendered to the department; and the owner must grant or assist the department in gaining access to the property for the purpose of investigating the incident.

“This came down to a matter of preserving the health, safety and welfare of our residents,” said Kretz, R-Wauconda. “I don’t anticipate this change will have a negative effect on the recovery of wolves, but it was absolutely necessary, especially as grazing season begins and because we know that non-lethal methods do not always work.”

The Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority, granted by the Legislature, to adopt emergency rules when necessary to preserve public health, safety, and general welfare.

For more information, visit our Web sites at: houserepublicans.wa.gov and www.senaterepublicans.wa.gov.

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Amanda Webb, Public Information Officer, Sen. Smith: (360) 786-7869
Brendon Wold, Deputy Communications Director, Rep. Short: (360) 786-7698
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer, Rep. Kretz: (360) 786-7252 Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov
455 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Gov. Inslee signs two bills sponsored by Rep. Shelly Short

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2013, 2013

CONTACT: Brendon Wold, Deputy Communications Director – (360) 786-7698
Rep. Shelly Short – (360) 786-7908

Gov. Inslee signs two bills sponsored by Rep. Shelly Short

Bringing transparency and accountability to state agencies is more than just a catchy slogan for Washington State Rep. Shelly Short; it’s one of her passions. During the last week of the 2013 legislative session, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law two bills sponsored by Short, R-Addy, that would bring more transparency and accountability to the decisions – and the decision-making process – of the state Department of Ecology and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Both of these bills will help keep the bureaucracies accountable to the Legislature and to the citizens,” said Short, who has worked on the bills for several years while in Olympia. “From the people’s standpoint, some of the decisions made by these two particular agencies seem arbitrary or capricious. My bills were designed to require a little more substance behind the reasoning that leads to the final decisions taken by these agencies. It’s not about having no government intervention or oversight; it’s about restoring state government to its proper role.” House Bill 1112 and House Bill 1113 made it through the entire legislative process without being amended and were approved by unanimous votes in both the House and Senate, a testament, said Short, to the work done on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of the Legislature. “It’s taken some time to convince my colleagues in the Legislature that these bills are designed to protect the public and the state agencies alike,” said Short. “I’m extremely pleased we were able to get folks in Olympia on the same page and that the governor agrees with us that some of our state agencies need a little more public scrutiny and oversight.” Short’s bills require the agencies to identify the peer-reviewed science, scientific literature, and other sources of information reviewed and ultimately relied upon before taking significant agency action related to certain agency programs. “Significant agency action” is defined in the bills as:

results in substantive requirements for a non-state actor with penalties for noncompliance;
establishes, alters, or revokes any qualification or standard for the issuance, suspension, or revocation of a license or permit;
results in significant amendments to an existing policy or program; or
results in the development of technical guidance, assessments, or documents used to implement a state rule or statute.

The 2013 legislative session ends on April 28. However, with no agreement on a state budget between the Democrat-controlled House and the bipartisan Majority Coalition Caucus in the Senate, a special session is expected. PHOTO CAPTION: (From Left to Right: Ann Larson and Timothy Quinn from the Department of Fish and Wildlife, join Gov. Jay Inslee, Rep. Shelly Short and Tom Davis and John Stuhlmiller from the Washington State Farm Bureau at a bill-signing ceremony in Olympia.)
PHOTO CAPTION: (From Left to Right: John Stuhlmiller and Tom Davis from the Washington State Farm Bureau join Gov. Jay Inslee and Rep. Shelly Short as her bill to bring more accountability and transparency to state agencies is signed into law.) PHOTO CAPTION: (Rep. Shelly Short’s bill to make state agencies more transparent and accountable is signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee [left]. John Stuhlmiller from the Washington State Farm Bureau [right] testified in favor of Short’s bill.)
For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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

April 30 telephone town hall to connect state legislators, district residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 19, 2013

CONTACT:
Sen. John Smith (360) 786-7869
Rep. Shelly Short (360) 786-7908
Rep. Joel Kretz (360) 786-7988

April 30 telephone town hall to connect legislators, district residents

Seventh Legislative District residents are encouraged to participate in an upcoming telephone town hall hosted by their legislators: Sen. John Smith and Reps. Shelly Short and Joel Kretz.

The hour-long community conversation will take place Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. Individuals wishing to participate should call 1-877-229-8493 on Tuesday evening and enter pin number 15429 when prompted.

“I love that while we are here in Olympia, technology can help keep us connected with the people back home,” said Smith, R-Colville. “The Seventh District consistently has some of the highest numbers of participants on these calls because our residents are involved and active in the change they want to see happen.”

Kretz, a 10-year veteran of the House of Representatives, explained the feedback received from constituents during the calls is invaluable.

“Telephone town halls offer residents the chance to ask questions, voice their opinions and share their ideas with us – and the best part is that they don’t even have to leave their houses to participate,” Kretz, R-Wauconda. “We want to make it easy for folks to stay connected and informed. And, we want folks to know our doors are always open and their feedback is critical to us doing the best job we can do while in Olympia.”

The 7th District team also hosted a tele-town hall a few weeks after this year’s legislative session began in January; however, with the regular session set to adjourn on April 28, Short, R-Addy, said this teleforum will give residents a review of the past four months and get their feedback on how they want to be represented.

“In order to best represent northeast Washington, we need to hear what’s working and what’s not working,” Short said. “We’ve made some good progress this session, but there is always more work that needs to be done.”

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For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov and www.senaterepublicans@leg.wa.gov.

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

7th District legislators laud district schools for earning 2012 Washington Achievement Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 1, 2013

CONTACT: Brendon Wold, Deputy Communications Director – (360) 786-7698
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer – (360) 786-7252 Rep. Joel Kretz – (360) 786-7988
Rep. Shelly Short – (360) 786-7908

7th District legislators laud district schools for earning 2012 Washington Achievement Award

Today Sen. John Smith and Reps. Shelly Short and Joel Kretz congratulated Deer Park Home Link Program, Cusick Junior Senior High, Gess Elementary, Northport Elementary, and Okanogan High for receiving the 2012 Washington Achievement Award.

“This award is one of our state’s highest honors for schools,” said Smith, R-Colville. “The evaluation process paints a clear picture of how our schools are performing and how they are improving. I commend these schools for their commitment to excellence and for striving for the best outcomes for their students.”

“Our teachers, parents and school administrators all care deeply for our students and how they are progressing at school,” said Short, R-Addy. “The Washington Achievement Award is in recognition of the hard work, long hours and many sacrifices made by all so that our children receive the best education possible.”

“I continue to believe that our rural schools offer an element of learning that is incomparable,” said Kretz, R-Wauconda. “We have active parents, involved teachers and principals, and superintendents that are invested in making their schools the best they can be to serve the children in our district. I congratulate them on a job well done.”

Award winners were evaluated based on the state’s Achievement Index and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act flexibility waiver for the three previous years, and ranked in seven categories: overall excellence, language arts, math, science, extended graduation rate, closing achievement gaps, and high progress. A total of 381 elementary, middle, high and comprehensive schools were chosen as award recipients.

The award, in its fourth year, is sponsored by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.

An award ceremony is scheduled for April 30 at Kentwood High School in Covington.

For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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

Wolf attacks on domestic animals subject of public hearing in state House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2013

CONTACT: Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer, Rep. Kretz – (360) 786-7252
Amanda Webb, Public Information Officer, Sen. Smith: (360) 786-7869 Brendon Wold, Senior Information Officer, Rep. Short: (360) 786-7698

Wolf attacks on domestic animals subject of public hearing in state House

Smith legislation would allow citizens to defend pets, livestock in event of a gray wolf attack Today, Senate Bill 5187, a measure which would give people the right to protect their property and their pets from a gray wolf attack, received a public hearing before the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The bill was sponsored by 7th District Sen. John Smith. John Stevie, who witnessed the near-fatal attack of his 60-pound dog Shelby by a gray wolf March 10, came from Twisp, Wash. to testify in favor of the bill and brought Shelby along to show the severity of the dog’s wounds from of the wolf attack. County commissioners and their representative from Pend Oreille, Ferry, Stevens and Okanogan counties, or the Northern Tier group, also made the trip to Olympia to testify as a united front in favor of Senate Bill 5187. “I appreciate the citizens who came from all across our state to testify on this important issue,” said Smith, R-Colville. “The state’s wolf conservation and management plan did not anticipate the extreme concentration of wolves that we see today in northeastern Washington and the resulting catastrophic damage it would render to family farms and rural residents. This bill restores the right to defend one’s home and property against a wolf attack – a natural human instinct and God-given right.” Under the amended version of Senate Bill 5187, owners of livestock and domestic animals would be authorized to kill a gray wolf without a permit or license if the predator is in the act of attacking or posing an immediate threat to livestock or pets. “What we’re talking about here is when we hear our dog getting snatched off the front porch in the middle of the night and attacked by a gray wolf we have some recourse to defend our pet,” said Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, and member of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. “Right now, I could catch a wolf in the act of killing a colt or dog in my front yard and not be able to shoot the wolf to protect my animals. This bill interjects some common sense into this debate and puts in place modest protections for the many ranchers and pet owners in the Seventh District.” In many cases, the lawmakers add, livestock attacks impact residents’ livelihoods and the regional economy. Dogs are commonplace on ranches as a way to drive away large predators, but that doesn’t always do the trick when a wolf has discovered a feeding area with vulnerable pets and livestock. Smith notes that wolves are wild and unpredictable predators that can only be managed up to a certain point. “Right now, many livestock and pet owners in this state are being held hostage to an unrealistic and unnecessary standard when it comes to wolf predation. There are people and organizations behind the wolf recovery effort that are either ignorant of our rural lifestyle or simply don’t care about the threat to animals and humans that wolves can pose,” said Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, and sponsor of similar legislation in the House. “This bill would provide a simple and very legitimate tool for those who would like to save their pets from being killed by wolves.” Caption: (bottom center) Sen. John Smith with Shelby, the dog attacked March 10 by a gray wolf near Twisp. Also pictured are 7th District State Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short; Shelby’s owners, Mr. John Stevie and Ms. Sharon Willoya; and county commissioners and local representatives from Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry and Okanogan counties, who traveled to Olympia March 20 to testify in support of Senate Bill 5187 in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Smith is the prime sponsor of the bill. They are pictured in front of the legislative building. Senate Bill 5187 is now awaiting executive action in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Constituents are encouraged to contact committee members and urge the bill’s passage so it can receive a final vote in the House and be sent to the governor’s desk for signature. Committee member contact information can be located here: https://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/AGNR/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx. The toll-free hotline to contact committee members is 1-800-562-6000. Caption: (left to right) Seventh District State Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short, Shelby with owner Sharon Willoya, Okanogan County Commissioner Ray Campbell and Pend Oreille County Commissioner Karen Skoog. Sen. John Smith is located directly behind Rep. Short. For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov and www.senaterepublicans.wa.gov. ### Contacts: Sen. John Smith (360) 786-7869 Rep. Joel Kretz (360) 786-7988 Rep. Shelly Short (360) 786-7908

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

State House passes proposal to help hunters who are disabled veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2013

CONTACT: Brendon Wold, Senior Information Officer – (360) 786-7698
Rep. Shelly Short – (360) 786-7908

State House passes proposal to help hunters who are disabled veterans

Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, wants to make it easier for veterans who’ve been disabled in the line of duty, and who are living outside the state, to hunt and fish here in Washington. To do that, she’s introduced House Bill 1192 which she hopes will also make it less expensive for Washington’s disabled veterans to hunt and fish in other states. “My bill would allow veterans with disabilities in other states to qualify for reduced hunting and fishing license fees here in Washington,” said Short. “It would also encourage reciprocity – that is, it would encourage other states to offer the same discounted license fees to our state’s veterans. We have veterans with disabilities that would like to hunt and fish in other states; and wounded veterans from other states that would like to participate in those activities here in Washington. I think it’s the least we can do for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.” Short said the idea for her bill was brought to her by a group of veterans from Ferry County. She also said her proposal would provide a small measure of economic activity in her rural northeastern Washington legislative district. “Here in the Seventh District, we have some of the best hunting and fishing opportunities in the entire northwest region,” said Short. “We also have a high population of veterans – many of them who’ve become disabled while serving their country. Making life a little easier for them, while at the same time spurring some local economic activity, is a win-win in my book. I’m very thankful for the group of veterans from Ferry County that brought this issue to my attention and I’m honored to help shepherd this bill through the process.” The ultimate goal, Short said, is to have other states adopt similar measures so that Washington’s disabled veterans qualify for reduced hunting and fishing licenses in other states. “At the beginning, we were looking at working with other states collaboratively and trying to make each piece of legislation the same and have each implemented at the same time. But this proved to be a monumental task,” said Short. “In the end, we realized we needed to get the ball rolling here in our state. Hopefully, our bill here in Washington will serve as a blueprint and I’ll continue working with other states to bring these opportunities forward for our veterans who’ve been wounded in the line of duty.” Short’s bill was approved by a unanimous vote of her peers and was one of the last bills to pass the House before a legislative deadline on Wednesday, March 13. It now goes before the state Senate for further consideration. For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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

Rep. Shelly Short’s bill to make DOE more accountable and transparent passes House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 27, 2013

CONTACT: Brendon Wold, Senior Information Officer – (360) 786-7698
Rep. Shelly Short – (360) 786-7908

Rep. Shelly Short’s bill to make DOE more accountable and transparent passes House

‘We need to make sure accountability and transparency don’t get lost in the bureaucracy,’ says Short
Legislation to bring more transparency to the decisions – and the decision-making process – of the state Department of Ecology passed the Washington State House of Representatives last week. In a unanimous vote, legislators approved House Bill 1113, sponsored by 7th District State Representative Shelly Short, R-Addy. “The state Department of Ecology makes decisions and implements rules that have a huge impact to landowners and business owners around the state, and especially in rural areas like northeast Washington,” said Short. “The department itself is divided into ten separate environmental management programs and each of those programs is divided into further subgroups. With so many layers of information and responsibility, we just need to make sure that accountability and transparency don’t get lost in the bureaucracy.” Short’s bill requires DOE to identify the peer-reviewed science, scientific literature, and other sources of information used before taking significant agency action related to certain agency programs. “Significant agency action” is defined in the bill as:

results in substantive requirements for a non-state actor with penalties for noncompliance;
establishes, alters, or revokes any qualification or standard for the issuance, suspension, or revocation of a license or permit;
results in significant amendments to an existing policy or program; or
results in the development of technical guidance, assessments, or documents used to implement a state rule or statute.

Short has proposed similar legislation that would apply the same level of scrutiny to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). While that bill, House Bill 1112, passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, it still has not been scheduled for a vote by the full House. “I’m hopeful we can get my companion bill brought to the House floor for a vote,” said Short. “However, it’s looking more and more like the other side doesn’t want to extend more accountability and transparency to WDFW. We’ll have to wait and see. The reality is, I don’t think the idea of shedding light on the actions taken by state agencies should be a hugely partisan issue. I think most folks can agree that our state agencies can sometimes get carried away. We need to have tools in place that help the Legislature and the public hold them accountable.” The 105-day 2013 legislative session is nearing the halfway point.

For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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

Seventh District lawmakers say new ‘wolf meetings’ in NE Washington a direct result of public input

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2013

CONTACT: Brendon Wold, Senior Information Officer – (360) 786-7698
                  Rep. Shelly Short – (360) 786-7908
                  Rep. Joel Kretz – (360) 786-7988

Seventh District lawmakers say new ‘wolf meetings’ in NE Washington a direct result of public input

When the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced earlier this year a series of statewide “wolf recovery and management” meetings for the benefit of the public, 7th District Representatives Joel Kretz and Shelly Short wondered what “public” the department was referring to. “We were pretty disgusted with the fact that somehow the department thought that having ‘wolf recovery’ meetings in Seattle, Olympia and Spokane would be sufficient for receiving public input on the state’s wolf recovery and management efforts,” said Kretz, R-Wauconda. “To my knowledge, there aren’t any wolves in Olympia – no four-legged kind, anyway – or downtown Seattle. I introduced a bill this year that would help rectify that injustice so that Western Washington could share in the benefits of these majestic animals. But until that happens, I think the folks who really need to weigh in on this effort are the ones who have to deal with the wolves on a near-daily basis: Those of us living in northeast Washington. I give kudos to the department for finally figuring out where wolves are located and scheduling meetings accordingly.” Kretz joined with Short, R-Addy, and other lawmakers in pressuring WDFW to hold additional meetings in northeast Washington so the department could receive firsthand input about living with the carnivores and not just anecdotal evidence from special interest groups. That pressure included actions taken by citizens living in the communities that Short and Kretz represent in the 7th Legislative District. “Our folks back home are vigilant. They have a reputation in Olympia and within state government as being very involved, very passionate and they don’t take things lying down,” said Short. “We started talking to people right away through every means available: radio, e-newsletters, teleforums, letters, phone calls, Facebook – you name it. We urged folks to make sure the department knew this was not acceptable. In the end, I think it was the combined effort from the public and from elected officials that got us a new series of meetings.” The department recently announced three public meetings in northeast Washington to discuss wolf-livestock conflict management:

Feb. 26, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in Cusick at the Cusick Community Center, 107 1st Ave.
Feb. 27, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in Colville at the Colville Ag Trade Center, 317 West Astor Ave.
Feb. 28, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in Okanogan at the Okanogan Public Utilities District office meeting room, 1331 2^nd Ave. N.

Short and Kretz are urging residents in the area who have comments or experiences they would like to share to make every effort to attend the meeting closest to them. “We asked for these meetings to be held closer to us so that our folks could have input,” said Kretz. “We need to make sure those meetings are packed.”

For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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