The 2011 session is over and I am happy to be back in the 1st Legislative District. We have a beautiful state capitol, but it’s good to be home. Not just back to Mountlake Terrace, but also to spend time with my neighbors from Brier, Bothell, Maltby and other neighborhoods.
We’ve been very active building local connections in downtown Bothell where we opened our District Office. When you call or visit the office you will be meet Michele, my Legislative Assistant, who will help you with your concerns and/or schedule an in-person meeting time with me.
We can hold constituent meetings in our conference room to address larger groups. Presently, we are initiating work on several interim projects we will spend time on during the next seven months before the 2012 Legislative Session. This office is here to serve you. It’s been over a decade since there’s been a Legislative Office in the 1st District. Make it your own.
Open House
Please join us for
An OPEN HOUSE
For the Grand Opening of
our District Office in downtown Bothell
On Tuesday, June 14th
from 6:00pm to 8:30pm
18221 – 102nd Avenue NE
Bothell, WA 98011
For additional information or directions,
please call Michele at 425-697-9009.
2011-2013 Operating Budget
As you know, the session was dominated by the 2011-13 operating budget and the current economic climate that has resulted from the worst recession in 75 years. Given the historic drop in state revenues—and the inability to raise revenues because of Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1053—the two-year budget agreed to by the House and Senate negotiators was a result of deep cuts that will affect all of us. We are spending less (Total Spending= $32.419 billion) than the expected resources (Total Revenue= $33.214 billion).
The painful budget reductions made this year show why I and many others believe that our state needs significant tax reform that includes ending expensive and unjustified tax preferences. I very much hoped we would protect more funding for schools, colleges, and our safety net by passing bills such as House Bill 2078. This is the bill I helped to sponsor and championed that would have provided another $100 million for our schools by reducing a special-interest tax break that only benefits out-of-state banks.
In fact, a majority of the House of Representatives voted for HB 2078 to help school students and teachers. Unfortunately, the will of the majority was blocked because I-1053 requires a 60% majority to raise any revenues or close any tax loopholes, and the minority party refused to consider any revenue alternatives to ease the painful cuts made to our priorities. There may be further news on a lawsuit related to HB 2078 in the next few weeks. I will keep you posted.
Sadly, because revenues fell so far, there was a deep budget cut of about $4.5 billion that will touch real lives. No area of the budget was left untouched this year. Reductions greater than $50 million each include:
· $1.2 billion for I-728 and I-732
· $535 million in a general reduction to higher education institutions (in part, offset with increased tuition revenue).
· $344 million from making changes to how certain future pension benefits are calculated for Plan 1 retirees.
· $215 million from elimination of the K-4 class size enhancement.
· $179 million from a K-12 employee salary reduction.
· $177 million from a 3 percent reduction in state employee salaries.
· $150 million from hospital rates and related changes.
· $129 million from changes to the Basic Health Plan.
· $116 million in reduced Disability Lifeline cash grants. The remaining funding for the cash grant program is transformed into a housing program.
· $97 million for reduced personal care hours for long term care and developmentally disabled clients.
· $61 million from changes to the K-12 National Board Bonus program.
· $57 million in student assessment system changes.
You can get a complete breakdown of the budget at: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/Documents/sinedie2011.pdf. Please feel free to call my office if you have specific questions.
Securing Funding for the Bothell Crossroads Project
On the last day of the special session, the House of Representatives passed HB 1497, the 2011-13 capital budget, which provides funding for infrastructure projects such as parks, wastewater treatment plants, community centers and school construction.
The capital budget, which passed the House on a unanimous vote, restores $8 million for the low-interest Public Assistance Loan needed for the Bothell SR-522 Crossroads Project.
“It took a while, but I’m very glad we managed to get that project back in the budget,” said state Rep. Luis Moscoso (D-Mountlake Terrace), who was instrumental in securing those funds. “The Crossroads Project is necessary because it will certainly address traffic congestion since we’re looking at a seven percent increase on 522 from the tolling on 520; but it’s also necessary because it will create desperately needed jobs in my district.”
Upon receiving the news, Robert Stowe, City Manager and Steve Anderson, Deputy City Manager for the City of Bothell, sent the lawmaker this message: “Please convey our sincere appreciation for his hard work to Representative Moscoso in seeing this matter through on our behalf. We look forward to seeing him soon and expressing our gratitude in person.”
The following description of the project is taken from the City of Bothell website:
The Bothell Crossroads project realigns State Route 522 to the south between Hall Rd and 102nd Ave NE. The highway will consist of two travel lanes in each direction, left turn lanes, and sidewalks separated from traffic by tree-lined medians.
Connecting streets (NE 180th St, 98th Ave NE, and SR 527) will be extended to reach the new alignment and provide pedestrians additional opportunities to move between downtown and the Park at Bothell Landing.
The existing intersection of SR 522 and SR 527 performs poorly and is expected to degrade further without action. Today, over 44,000 vehicles pass though this intersection daily. This project will improve traffic congestion and increase safety on this critical commute and freight corridor both now and into the future.
(From the Bothell Reporter: May 26, 2011)
Local students get an up-close view of the legislative process
Since 1891, young people from across the state have come to Olympia to serve as pages for the Washington State House of Representatives. Paging presents students with a unique educational opportunity to participate in the legislative process.
Page duties are varied. They range from ceremonial tasks such as presenting the flags to operational chores like distributing amendments during legislative sessions. Each job is vital to the efficient operation of the Legislature.
This session, I was honored to sponsor these young people from our local communities to serve as pages.
Here is more information about the student page program in the House. Please pass it on to young people you think might be interested in applying next year.
Thank you for taking the time to read my E-Memo. Please feel free to contact our office at anytime if you have questions, comments or concerns. I need to hear from ALL of people I represent in the 1st Legislative District.
Sincerely,
Luis