Washington State Senate Democrats: Lisa Brown

Majority Leader Lisa Brown will not seek re-election

Senate Democrats — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:43:00 GMT

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, issued the following statement today:

I have decided not to seek re-election to the 3rd district Senate seat this fall. Returning home two weeks ago, I began taking stock of my twenty years in the Legislature, reflecting on what I have been able to achieve with the help of colleagues and supporters. I decided that, though it is still immensely gratifying to serve Spokane and the state of Washington in this capacity, I am ready for new challenges.

During my tenure in the Legislature we have created in Spokane a health sciences education and research campus, which will be a centerpiece of our regional economy and will educate thousands of pharmacists, nurses, dentists, doctors, and other health professionals. The building that will house the University of Washington medical school and the Washington State University pharmacy received its final funding in this year’s capital budget.

I have also championed the clean-up and protection of the Spokane river, Spokane’s aerospace cluster, our film and video industry, and spearheaded the funding of the Fox Theater, the MAC, the refurbished YMCA/YWCA facilities, and numerous non-profits in Spokane, such as Crosswalk, the Northwest Autism Center and Sally’s House.

At the state level, I am most proud of my work to create mental health parity legislation, and my work on the state budget to enhance childcare and healthcare for working families. I am equally proud of my efforts to protect the state’s partnership with numerous non-profits who serve vulnerable people across the spectrum: abused and neglected children, the elderly, homeless people, and people with disabilities, and of our fourteen year fight to pass a simple majority plan for school levies.

Given the challenges of the recession and the reductions in the alternate budget proposed by the Senate Republicans, I am particularly pleased with this year’s final budget, which protected not only vital human service programs, but also made no further reductions to K-12 education or higher education.

I have been involved in the promotion of women’s rights and civil rights throughout my life and legislative career. This year’s path-breaking marriage equality and human-trafficking laws are two examples of the kind of legislation that originally motivated me to run for office. Serving as Ways and Means chair and then as the leader of my caucus for ten years has given me a tremendous opportunity to be deeply involved in all the major public policy issues facing our state and to work with talented elected officials and advocates.

I would like to thank Gov. Chris Gregoire and Speaker Frank Chopp for their leadership and for the productive relationship we have enjoyed for eight years. In particular, I appreciate the governor’s unwavering commitment to the economic future of Spokane and I want to thank the speaker for his dedication to the most vulnerable people in our state.

I will miss the incredibly dedicated staff of the state Senate and many of my colleagues in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle. In particular, I appreciated working with Sen. Jim Hargrove on mental health and human service funding, Sen. Ed Murray on marriage equality and the budget, Sens. Tracey Eide and Rosemary McAuliffe on simple majority, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles on gender equity, Sen. Derek Kilmer on economic development initiatives, Sen. Joe Zarelli on the Rainy Day fund constitutional amendment, Rep. Ruth Kagi on childcare and early learning, and my seatmates Timm Ormsby and Andy Billig on numerous Spokane initiatives.

Senate Democrats are well-positioned to continue to lead the state. I look forward to watching the careers of our seasoned members as well as our emerging leaders.

The people of Spokane have given me the tremendous honor of representing and serving them for twenty years. My son, Lucas, and many dear friends have accompanied me and supported me on this journey. I am immensely grateful to all of them.

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Elected to the Senate in 1996, Lisa Brown became Democratic Leader in 2003 – serving as the Senate Majority Leader from 2005 – 2012, and as Minority Leader between 2003 – 2005. After serving two terms in the House (1992 – 1996), Lisa was elected to the Senate, where in her first term she was appointed as chair of the Ways and Means Committee. In 2005, she became the first Democratic woman in state history to hold the position of Senate Majority Leader, making her among the longest serving leaders in recent Washington history. Known for choosing a theme song for each legislative session, Sen. Brown selected “The Circle Game,” by Joni Mitchell, as representative her term of service.

Washington film incentive signed into law

Senate Democrats — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:47:00 GMT

Late last night Gov. Chris Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5539 a law to revive a tax incentive program that expired last July.

SB 5539, a bill which I co-sponsored, follows the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) and renews a tax incentive aimed at maintaining Washington's position as a competitive location for filming.

With the stroke of her pen, Gov. Gregoire will help us to continue to attract movie production to Washington state in general and Spokane in particular. The program offers a 30-percent rebate off the amount of money spent in the state to production companies selected through a competitive process. That can include anything from wages and benefits paid to state residents to the costs of building a movie set and hotel and catering.

Proponents say that Washington is already home to many talented actors, directors, costume and set designers, make-up artists and other professionals in the motion picture industry and that bringing film projects to the state would provide a big boost for these local professionals, as well as help to keep Washington a renowned hub for arts and culture.

But this bill is really about providing sustainable jobs year-round. The legislation provides local filmmakers, such as Spokane’s North by Northwest, the ability to market themselves. If we can offer sustainable employment, those associated with the film production keep the workforce in Spokane - not to mention the multiplier effect from the ancillary businesses, such as hotels and restaurants.

According to JLARC's 2010 report, $72 million in economic activity was generated in Washington between 2007 and 2009 from the film industry. When the state first adopted the film incentive program in 2002, a bill I originally sponsored, Washington was one of 14 states with such a program. Now 44 states have something similar.

We have tourists from all over the world going to the town of Forks because it was the setting of the hit vampire movie series, Twilight. That's great, but imagine the economic impact the region would have seen if the movies had actually been filmed in Forks, with locally-hired crew members and all food and lodging expenses going straight into the local economy. Renewing the competiveness program will continue to spur job creation and have a multiplying effect for every dollar invested throughout the economy.

The bottom line? It’s about keeping our local economy competitive. These missed opportunities are occurring in Forks, Seattle, Spokane and across the state because, while Washington's beautiful scenery and vibrant cities make excellent locations for film and television settings, we are being out-bid by incentive programs in Vancouver, B.C., as well as in Idaho and Oregon. SB 5539 will keep us in the game so that we can keep jobs– and the film industry's money–here in Spokane.

Sen. Brown attends rally protesting state healthcare budget cuts

Senate Democrats — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:39:33 GMT

On Friday, Representative Billig and I teamed with community leaders to rally and protect the funding for critical social service programs essential in Spokane. Executives, advocates and supporters from the Housing and Essential Needs (HENs) were joined by men and women served by the programs on location at the Salvation Army in Spokane.

Captain Kyle Smith, Salvation Army Spokane Regional Services; Dr. David Bare, M.D, Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS); and, Rob McCann, Ph..D., Executive Director, Catholic Charities Spokane spoke first-hand about the individuals they've served. HEN client Krystal Jeffries was also present and conveyed the devastating effect service elimination would have on her life and others'.

Without housing assistance and medical assistance, hope for the hundreds of people served by HEN is bleak. As one executive explained to me, "They will be on the street without assistance and a large part of this population does not do well in traditional shelters, and in Spokane those are full." Since March 15, HEN has provided service to more than 650 individuals and assisted more than 50 individuals obtain housing. While I am proud to serve the community of Spokane where helping one's neighbor is among our highest priorities, I will continue to fight for a final budget in Olympia that puts people first, especially children, seniors and the vulnerable.

Issues with Women?

Senate Democrats — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:07:00 GMT

There are significant differences in the Republican-plus-three budget and the budget supported by House and Senate Democrats when it comes to women.

The Republican budget cuts family planning by $6 million. Combined with the vote the same night against bringing forward the Reproductive Parity Act, the message to women is that our health and reproductive freedom is in jeopardy here in Washington state, as it is in Washington. D.C.

Approximately 2000 working parents across the state would lose childcare assistance in the Republican budget. These are generally women with low wage jobs, many struggling to provide for their families and not be on welfare. Another consequence of this cut is that more family child care businesses, mostly operated by women, will close.

Women and children are the primary beneficiaries of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families ($94M), also know as TANF, this program was cut in the Republican budget as well.

A $30 million cut from university tuition waivers will be felt most by economically challenged veterans and students, but these waivers also benefit female student athletes.

On a positive note, throughout the rancorous debate on these issues absolutely no one suggested that women should hold an aspirin between their knees!

Kicking Cans

Senate Democrats — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:56:52 GMT

If, as proposed in the "Senate Republican plus 3" budget, a veteran with mental health issues loses his health care coverage and medications and ends up in the emergency room or in the King County jail, a "human can" has been kicked down the road. In their budget 15,000 people are losing coverage across the state.

If a mother loses her child care assistance, and her 10 year old daughter is molested after school by a "friend" of the neighbor in whose care she was left, then that child's future has been kicked down the road. Approximately 4,000 kids are affected in the Republican plus 3 budget.

If we make further reductions to our schools, colleges, and universities instead of investing in our students and their futures, then their opportunities and our economic prosperity is being kicked down the road. There are 74 million dollars more cuts in the Republican plus 3 budget.

Skipping a $130 million pension payment kicks a $400 million can of future pension liability down the road in the Republican plus 3 budget.

In contrast, Governor Gregoire, House and Senate Democrats have proposed delaying a payment to schools by one day, a payment that everyone knows will be made due to our constitutional obligation to fund basic education. No one sees this as ideal, but isn't it preferable to $330 million more in cuts to education, higher education, and the social safety net?

If Republicans plus three colleagues really want us to put our fiscal house in better order, then they should join with us to do some reform on the revenue side of our budget. Let’s close some tax loopholes and address the lack of fairness in our tax system. Then, instead of proposing cuts to education and higher education, they could join in making the investments with the best return on investment in the country, which is better than any Wall Street scheme: our children and our students.

Sen. Brown discusses proposed budget on KOMO Radio

Senate Democrats — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:04:00 GMT

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown joined "Newsline AM" on KOMO Newsradio 1000 on Wednesday to discuss the Senate Democrats budget proposal.

Song of the session: “I Hear Them All”

Senate Democrats — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:07:00 GMT

When I was budget chair, years ago, a tradition began to pick a song that represents the upcoming legislative session. As I read hundreds of emails and listen to countless people testify it’s clear our budget cuts have already had detrimental effects on Washingtonians. Our duty is to hear them and act in a fiscally and morally responsible way to close the remaining $1.5 billion budget shortfall.

“I Hear Them All” by the Old Crow Medicine Show is an apt song that portrays Washington’s current reality.

I Hear Them All

By Old Crow Medicine Show

I hear the crying of the hungry in the deserts where they're wanderin'
Hear them crying out for heaven's own benevolence upon them
Hear our destructive power prevailing, I hear fools falsely hailing
To the crooked words of tyrants when they call

I hear them all, I hear them all, I hear them all

I hear the sound of tearing pages and the roar of burning paper
All the crimes and acquisition turn to air and ash and vapor
In the rattle of the shackle, far beyond emancipators
And the lowliest together in their stall

I hear them all, I hear them all, I hear them all

So while you sit and whistle Dixie with your money and your power
I can hear the flowers growing in the rubble of the tower
I hear leaders quit their lying, I hear babies quit their crying
I hear soldiers quit their dying, one and all

I hear them all, I hear them all, I hear them all

I hear the tender words from Zion, I hear Noah's waterfall
See the gentle lamb of Judah sleeping at the feet of Buddha
And the prophets from Elijah to the Old Paiute Wovaca
Take their places at the table when they're called

I hear them all, I hear them all, I hear them all
I hear them all, I hear them all, I hear them all
I hear them all, I hear them all, I hear them all

Marriage equality, the civil rights issue of this generation

Senate Democrats — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:56:00 GMT

Governor Gregoire has made a historic call for the support of full marriage equality in Washington state, along with long-time advocate Sen. Ed Murray and House Speaker Frank Chopp.

I join these leaders with steadfast support of equal rights. Now is the time to end same-sex marriage discrimination against countless families — to allow them to receive a Washington marriage license, the same right given heterosexual couples.

The collective statement from Washington’s leaders is clear, committed couples of any sexual orientation should be allowed to declare their love through marriage.

Same-sex marriage would be the final chapter in our equality efforts.

I remember the issues we confronted years ago when we sought to pass civil rights for gays and lesbians before we finally succeeding after a 29 year battle in 2006, ending discrimination in employment and housing against LGBT individuals. Spokane supported this effort when they upheld non-discrimination by city vote.

Since then, we’ve passed not one, but three domestic partnership bills, giving same-sex couples the same legal rights and responsibilities as those married. And the sky has not fallen.

With polls showing the majority of the public values equality for all, it is time we move forward on this issue.

During this time of economic insecurity, it is more important than ever for Washington families to all have the same rights, responsibilities, protections and titles under the law.

If signed into law, Washington would be the seventh state in the country to expand full marriage rights to same-sex couples.

I remain committed to seeing this monumental effort through, but recognize our first job is closing our budget shortfall. The Legislature is full of tremendously hardworking people that will address both of these critical issues.

Maintaining Lake Wobegon

Senate Democrats — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:00:00 GMT

"Lake Wobegon, where the women are smart, the men are good-looking and the children are above average." Most of us have heard Garrison Keillor describing the fictional town of Lake Wobegon. How does this relate to Washington state?

Washington’s state and local taxes (as a percent of personal income) dropped to their lowest level in 50 years in Fiscal Year 2009, according to new figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

As the graph shows, Washington taxes dropped to $93.24 per $1,000 personal income from $105.49 in Fiscal Year 2008. While many states experienced declines in taxes relative to personal income during that period, Washington’s decline was steep enough to slip in national ranking to 15th from the bottom in 2009. This is a far cry from 1997 when we were 11^th from the top.

In short, we used to be in the top third and now we are in the bottom third when compared to other states. Those who keep describing our budget problem as a revenue problem are ignoring the Great Recession and this inconvenient fact.

Like Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon, Washington wants above average schools and universities. We want to provide above average healthcare and support for seniors and people with disabilities. We value our above average level of public safety and our above average parks and quality of life in this beautiful state. But we are fooling ourselves if we think we can attain that with well below average state and local taxes.

Special session adjourns, tackles piece of budget shortfall

Senate Democrats — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Maj. Ldr. Brown discusses special session. Click in bottom right of video to enlarge:

Our work in Olympia was about listening to the concerns of people across Washington, and making the best choices to balance our budget.

We are well ahead of where we’d otherwise be if the Legislature had simply convened in January. The decisions we make in the weeks ahead will determine the availability of health care services to seniors, the college opportunities open to our students, and the quality of our kids’ educational experience. Those decisions deserve time and consideration, and we will give them that.

Our responsibility as elected officials is to put our constituents first and foremost. That means following the democratic process of hearing from the many people whose lives might be changed by the cuts; looking beyond the governor’s proposal for missed alternatives; and collaborating with our House and Republican colleagues to build the consensus necessary to pass the budget.

We have made a substantial down payment of $497.7 million against the overall $2 billion budget problem through a combination of cuts, transfers and delayed payments. This is an important step in writing a budget, and it was taken in a bipartisan fashion with overwhelming support.

The solution includes:

· Maintenance Level change, $96.5 million. This is mostly accounting for lower-than-expected health care costs in the current biennium.

· Policy Level changes, $226.4 million. These are actual changes in policy that reduce our costs. Although the actual cuts to service are in this section, there are also accounting changes.

· Fund Transfers, $106.2 million. These are unspent funds and money being moved into the general fund, mostly savings agencies have racked up by tightly managing their budgets.

· Unclaimed Property, $50.6 million. The state would sell unclaimed securities (stocks, bonds) immediately, rather than in three years, reimbursing those that later claim the property with the net proceeds.

The decisions we made in special session were significant. Our actions included the delay of increased services to the seriously mentally ill, which will impact their families and communities. And we reduced hundreds of jobs in a time when our communities need more, not fewer, paychecks.

Our challenge is to navigate our state through this recession. We must chart a responsible course – one that meets our constitutional obligations to our kids, our moral responsibility to our most vulnerable citizens and our economic imperative to get people back to work.

We will continue to uphold our responsibility to address the remaining budget shortfall now and into regular session.