46th District Legislators meet with constituents in Town Hall

From left, Rep. Javier Valdez, Rep. Gerry Pollet
and Sen. David Frockt at Town Hall meeting

Photo and text by Steven H. Robinson

Legislators from the 46th District held a town hall Monday evening, April 16, 2018 in Kenmore to report on the recently completed state legislative session.

Senator David Frockt
Representative Gerry Pollet
Representative Javier Valdez

Report on the Washington legislative activity for 2018

Accomplishments 

Budget approved for Washington Education to include faculty raises and to pay fines levied by the Washington State Supreme Court for not fully funding public education. Projected end of local education levies which would impact Special Education if changes are not made to current funding.

Representative Pollet stated that there needs to be a progressive form of taxes in the state to cover funding needs.

The House passed, but the senate did not, a bill to cover NARCAN in high schools and dormitories to combat the issue of Opioid related deaths.

The legislature passed gun laws to ban “Bump stocks” and the banning of guns for individuals convicted of Domestic Violence. Also, individuals with mental illnesses may voluntarily have their names listed to not be able to purchase firearms. (Rep Valdez encouraged the audience to contact friends and relatives in other districts to contact their own legislators to influence them to vote for the proposed gun laws)

Voter registration legislation allows for people to register to vote as late as election day and youth can register to vote ahead of time if they will be 18 by election day.

Other accomplishments:

• Green Act 2.0
• DACA access to higher Education in the State of Washington
• Breakfast after the bell to allow students to receive a free meal even after the school day starts.
• Net Neutrality for internet access enacted for the state of Washington.
• Funding for a Kenmore pedestrian pass over Bothell Way related to Sound Transit.
• Funding found for LFP culvert replacements to return salmon runs
• Acquisition funds for the 5 Acre Woods Park and maintenance
• Funds for siting study for the Sound Transit 3 parking garage.
• Funding for Public Boathouse in Kenmore
• Funding for Rhododendron Park in Kenmore

Things not passed by the legislature

No repeal of the death penalty

No re-evaluation of Sound Transit evaluation for car tabs.

Not supported was Governor Inslee’s directive to prevent the Department of Licensing from giving information to the Federal Government without a Court Order or Warrant, when related to Immigrant's status or application for a Driver’s License.

A short question and answer period was allowed at the end of the meeting.

Topics related to air quality related to the asphalt plant, gun control, property tax reductions, funding for public works and thanks to the legislators for their work.