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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last week, we hit the house of origin deadline when bills not related to the budget must be moved out of the chamber where they originated. In the days leading up to the deadline there was a flurry of activity on the House floor – often into the early morning hours – where we debated and voted on dozens of bills on everything from public safety and the criminal justice system to housing and education. I know it can be a lot to keep up with so I hope you will watch my video update below for the highlights.
Please click the image below to watch my house of origin cutoff video update.
There were other bills that made it through cutoff we can put in the good news column that involve workforce issues, wildfire response, and salmon recovery. But on the education front there is much work left to do on learning loss and funding K-12, especially when it comes to special education.
As we move forward, issues like vehicular pursuits and drug possession laws in Washington state are now in the House's court with Senate Bill 5536 (Blake) and Senate Bill 5352 (Pursuits) both advancing to our chamber. But these bills – especially the pursuit bill — are not where we would like them to be and we hope to be able to improve them as they move through the process.
As I mention in the video, we have serious concerns about bills that passed to remove sentencing enhancements and others that continue to show just how much majority Democrats are favoring criminals over the safety of the people we represent – you.
WATCH: Rep. Corry's floor speech against bill eliminating certain sentencing enhancements here.
We are very concerned about House Bill 1240 and House Bill 1143 that now lie in the hands of the Senate and significantly chip away at Second Amendment rights.
You can see my floor speech here.
There will be much committee work done over the next couple of weeks with fresh opportunities for all of you to have another opportunity to be heard. Your testimony – your voice – is one of the most important tools we have to try to stop the majority from pushing these bad policies through. We now offer a remote testimony option for those who can't get here in person, or you can sign-in and provide your position without testifying. Learn more about getting involved with the process here.
On Monday, March 20, at 2 p.m. we will get the latest state revenue forecast. Soon after, operating budget proposals will be released and those debates will round out the final weeks of the 2023 Legislative Session.
I am disappointed, but not surprised, that my emergency powers reform bill, House Bill 1535 never even got a hearing. It was the same story on House Bill 1814 to prioritize the rehiring of state workers who lost their jobs due to the vaccine mandate. But we work in two year cycles here in Olympia, so stay tuned.
Mark your calendar: I would also like to invite you to my upcoming virtual town hall meeting on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m. where I, and my 14th District seatmates Rep. Gina Mosbrucker and Sen. Curtis King will update you on the first half of the session and take your questions. You can register here.
I hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Chris Corry
