Good Morning, Everyone!
Here is my usual Weekly Report and Weekly list of hearings – I’d note that on the Weekly Hearings list, with fiscal committees coming down the homestretch and public hearings reducing in numbers, all my recommendations for today (2/10) and tomorrow (2/11) are “MONITOR.”
I have a few important notes below, but I want to start with a HUGE THANK YOU (!!!) to all of you who filled up Olympia and the hallways of the State Legislature last Thursday for Parks and Great Outdoors Day. A great turnout!
A day after you all came, our priority local parks funding options bill, SHB 2625, passed out of the House Finance Committee. Yippee!
- Over 130 advocates signed up for Legislative Day
- 124 legislative meetings occurred (over 80% of the Legislature!)
We'd also like to extend a big thanks to our co-hosts, the Washington Recreation & Parks Association (WRPA), who were key partners in everything from planning the day to organizing the lunch briefing.
- Feedback Survey: Please take a few minutes to fill out this short feedback survey. Your constructive feedback will make next year's event even better.
- Legislative Meeting Form: If you haven't already sent me your Legislative Meetings Form, please do so – or just send me a quick email with a summary of your meetings. Legislator Thank Yous:I highly recommend sending a quick thank you note to the legislators you met with. You can find contact information for legislators and aides here.
A few important notes about this report:
- Wilderness Therapy bill – SB 6637: Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline/32nd Dist.) made a point of approaching me and asking that we review this bill. The bill and bill analysis are linked in my Weekly Report – and it involves concepts that I know some of you, such as Metro Parks Tacoma, have been working on.
- HB 2488 – Vashon Park District pro-rationing bill: My thanks to Elaine Ott-Rocheford of the Vashon Park District for letting me know exactly what HB 2488 is all about. I’ve added Elaine to this e-mail thread. While it does not appear that this bill will be heard, or pass, this Session, 34th LEG District Members tell me the Park District should be OK at least until next year.
- Outdoor Recreation Funding Roundtable – Budget Proviso Language: This came up during our Legislative Day – see the budget language included in my report.
- SB 6519/HB 2850 – archaeological and cultural resources: Quite a few of you asked about these companion bills and had concerns with them. The bills are not moving. It is possible there may be some Operating Budget proviso language, but what’s much more likely is that the Governor’s Office will update an existing Executive Order on archaeological site reviews.
Thanks all!
Doug Levy, Owner
Outcomes By Levy, LLC
(425)922-3999 – Office/Cell
[email protected] (Work)