This newsletter was distributed to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers on April 15, 2016. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here.

Dear friends and neighbors,

This year’s legislative session is finally over, and it’s time for us to step back, take a breath, and assess what was accomplished. This session put us to the test in many ways. It forced the Legislature to stand firm and decide what it means to fight for the people.

I am pleased with the $300,000 appropriation we obtained for a crackdown on property crimes throughout Spokane County. Unfortunately, the budget as a whole was a deep disappointment. And a most unexpected failure came on the final day of the session, when leaders of the House Democratic Caucus inexplicably killed a bill I and other senators from both parties had sponsored, to make a 4th DUI offense a felony.

This newsletter offers a quick session wrap. And there is other news – look for an important dedication ceremony at Spokane Valley Tech on April 26.

 

 

 

Spokane Valley Tech holds dedication April 26

Spokane Valley Tech, a technical skills center serving students from the greater Valley region, will hold a dedication ceremony April 26. The center, located at the corner of Sprague and University in Spokane Valley, is a collaborative program encompassing the Central Valley, East Valley, Freeman and West Valley School Districts. Students earn high school and college credit while learning valuable technical and professional skills. The school also offers a rigorous academic program in science, technology, engineering and math. The dedication ceremony, marking the completion of construction, begins at 5:30 p.m., with a program at 6 p.m.

Top stories of the session

Government accountability

Some called this “the year of accountability.” Many big problems emerged at state government agencies, and lawmakers this year were not willing to accept glib explanations.

The Senate investigated the Department of Corrections and learned of serious upper-management problems that caused it to release some 3,000 inmates before their sentences were up. These improperly released inmates are linked to at least two deaths and numerous crimes. This investigation, which I am chairing, has caused heartburn for many who bear responsibility — as it should.

The Senate held the Department of Transportation accountable for project disasters and bungled tolling projects, by rejecting the secretary and forcing the governor to find new leadership. Many other issues got a full airing, including enormous problems in the state’s mental-health system.

Combatting property crime

This year the Senate won a special $300,000 appropriation for Spokane County law enforcement agencies. Money will pay for additional investigations into auto theft, burglary and other property crimes.

Staying the course on education

Over the last four years, lawmakers have increased state spending for public schools by $4.6 billion. We’ve done it without raising taxes, by giving education most of the new money that comes in each year. We’re planning to do the same thing next year, too.

We kept our education effort on track when we defeated a House Democratic budget proposal that would have increased spending by a half-billion dollars. This would have forced us to raise taxes next year to continue our plan to improve the public schools. This fight was one reason we remained in session for an extra 20 days after our scheduled adjournment, finally finishing on March 29.

We resisted the state Supreme Court in its attempts to dictate education policy and set budget priorities. The Legislature refused to pay a $100,000-a-day Supreme Court fine. We responded to a court decision overturning charter schools on technical grounds, by fixing the problem and keeping educational choice alive.

A flawed budget

This year’s budget debate should have been easy. We did the hard work last year when we passed a $38 billion two-year budget, to carry the state through July 2017. Only minor adjustments were needed. But we were distracted by the House proposal for dramatically higher spending. The final compromise doesn’t break the bank, but it spends virtually every dime available to us, leaving an ending fund balance in 2019 of just $9 million. It cuts funding to the state auditor to conduct performance audits of malfunctioning and mismanaged state agencies. Worst of all, it provides free college tuition to prison inmates – a break we don’t provide to people who obey the law. I voted against it.

House leaders nix DUI law

No state makes it as hard as Washington to be convicted of a felony DUI. It takes four prior misdemeanor convictions within 10 years before the fifth offense can be charged as a felony. Every other state with a similar law imposes felony penalties on the fourth offense or before. Our neighboring states of Oregon and Idaho make the third offense a felony. Over the last two sessions I have pushed a bill that would bring Washington in line with the rest of the country and make the 4th offense a felony. It has passed the Senate unanimously five times.

This year, even though budget negotiators for both parties agreed to put money into the budget to cover the cost, House Democratic leaders refused once again to permit a vote on the House floor. It is hard to understand the reasons, but the decision put public safety last. Count on the issue returning next year.

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Return to district office

Now that the 2016 legislative session has ended, we have moved back to our district office in Spokane Valley. We are located at 11707 East Sprague Ave., Suite 305, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. Our district-office phone number is (509) 921-2460.

National Drug Take-Back Day to be celebrated April 30

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration are sponsoring a national prescription-drug take-back day April 30. The idea is to provide a safe place to dispose of outdated, unused or surplus prescription drugs. The Spokane Valley Police Department has a permanent drop-off location at 12710 E. Sprague Ave. Temporary drop-off locations will be established at Fairchild Air Force Base, in the main lobby of the base exchange, and at the Post Falls Police Department, 408 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, ID.