The Journal goes to Olympia

Visits with Senator Hobbs and the Governor BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR Last Thursday, our Publisher, Desiree Cahoon and I spent the day in Olympia with other press personnel in the state, ending the evening with dinner at the Governor’s mansion with the Governor and her husband.
Most of the day was filled with visits and speeches from a variety of State and Elected Officials including the State Auditor, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner, Commissioner of Public Lands, Superintendent of Public Instruction, both Democratic and Republican Representatives and many other officials serving in Olympia.
We also had the opportunity to visit the Temple of Justice and meet many of our State Supreme Court Justices, including the Honorable Gerry Alexander, who is both entertaining and extremely intelligent.
As with most newspaper people, many questions were asked of these officials with much concern over the future of health insurance, transportation and of course, the budget.
We found out that the budget was still being discussed in both the House and the Senate, transportation was a job priority, especially the 520 bridge and whether or not to make it a toll bridge and neither the Republicans or Democrats have yet been able to agree upon just exactly what to do about health insurance yet, both noting that something needs to be done.

The hope is that many of these concerns will be voted on before the end of session next week.
Education was also discussed in length including the future of the WASL and the teacher’s cost of living raise.
Governor Gregoire discussed her recent trip to Washington D.C. with the Governor’s Conference and feels the consensus is that not much will be done until the Presidential elections are over and we inaugurate a new President.
While in Olympia we wanted to speak with our own Senator Steve Hobbs and were able to spend a couple of hours with him discussing his bills and how things were going this session.
One of the bills that Hobbs is very passionate about is his bill for tidal energy which involves offering sales and use tax exemptions for machinery and equipment used in tidal and wave energy projects.
The bill passed in the Senate on Friday, 45-3 and now moves on to the House for consideration.
“The Pacific Ocean flows through Deception Pass and slams into Whidbey Island, that’s power,” Hobbs said. “The daily changing of the tides pulls millions of gallons of water through Admiralty Inlet, that’s power. Now we just have to find the proper method to harness this energy,”
Other bills Hobbs is trying to pass include Senate Bill 6377 , Career and Technical Education. Hobbs has been working with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to promote better access and funding for career track students, those who wish to pursue careers in construction, welding, pipefitting and other vital infrastructure careers.
Senate Bill 5100 which requires schools to identify which children are without health care, and to provide them information regarding Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 33-15.
Senate Bill 6800 works to protect a vital transportation asset: our rail lines. The bill states that agencies like the Port of Seattle can’t tear up rail lines without receiving legislative permission or without compensation.
Hobbs is hopeful that this bill and similar legislation can lead to better usage of the rail lines in Snohomish County, hopefully including the revitalization of the Snohomish to Woodinville Dinner Train and the study of commuter rail.
If you would like to get in touch with Senator Hobbs, you can reach him at 360-786-7686 or through email at hobbs.steve@leg.wa.gov.

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