Dear Friends,

 
It’s Saturday evening. I’m sitting in my summer beach chair, next to the woodstove, with my feet on the hearth, as the cat lays on my paperwork to bask in the radiant heat. I’m certainly glad we installed a woodstove. It’s just the best natural heat ever when the sun is absent!
 
I’m checking the weather channel on my phone to see what’s coming…more rain, but at least not near as much as we’ve had. Earlier today, I drove around the district checking out the landscapes. The fields not far from my home looked like lakes. It seems we have some new (temporary) waterfront homes. A friend near OHOP Power off Mtn. Hwy had water up to her deck. It’s a mess! I noticed a lot of pot-holes in the asphalt. It will take some time to make the needed repairs, so I will ask for patience as the crews work to get them done.
 
Today, I was in a meeting listening to some folks speak about legislative issues. Since the Legislature begins the 2022 session today (Jan. 10), I am sharing some links in case you have an interest to see what the state is doing. I hope you will check out some of their meetings, after all, the county is under their jurisdiction. You will be able to zoom committee hearings and floor action again this year. With only 60 days until sine die (March 10 adjournment), they will be moving fast to pass or fail legislation.
 
To begin the journey, go to www.leg.wa.gov. Links to just about every legislative inquiry you might have can be found there. If you are interested in, say ecology bills, go to Bills by Topic and click on “E”. You will see all topics that begin with that letter. You can view bills by the sponsor. House Bills begin with 1 or 2. Senate Bills begin with 5 or 6.
 
As an example, House Bill 1263 is sponsored by Rep. Abbarno and was first introduced in 2021.  You can see the path the bill took last session from introduction through committees. It did not pass out of the House, so it’s automatically under consideration for the second year of the biennium—this year. If it is not passed into law this session, it is dead. It could be introduced again for another session, but it would get a new number and start the process from the beginning. To find a synopsis of the bill, click on the Bill Report.
 
I see Senate Bill 5497. It’s title is Extending voting authority to student members on the state board of education. That sounds like an interesting bill. The State Board of Education has significant authority by unelected members.
 
This week at the Council, I have a Public Safety Committee meeting. On the agenda is a presentation from Safe Streets. The power point is very informative. To see the week’s agenda for the Council, click here.
 
If you have questions or comments, please let me know.
 
Sincerely,