Washington State Senate Democrats: Jim Kastama

Kastama discusses budget vote on KUOW

Senate Democrats — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:55:00 GMT

Sen. Jim Kastama joined Ross Reynolds on KUOW’s “The Conversation” on Tuesday to discuss his decision to vote for a bipartisan Senate budget proposal drafted by the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Kastama explains support for bipartisan budget

Senate Democrats — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 01:18:00 GMT

Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, today released this statement regarding the operating budget proposed by the Republican caucus:

“It was a difficult but impassioned decision to join with Democratic and Republican colleagues in support of a bipartisan, balanced and sustainable budget. “I think what we have, in this bipartisan budget, is a starting point for further negotiation with the House that is based on sustainable funding for public services.

“It is important to emphasize that this budget is far from finished. I heard reasonable and heartfelt objections to cuts made in this budget from my Democratic colleagues. On many points, I agree with them and will continue to work with them to make the best choices of how to spend our limited state funds. However, a plan that only accounts for the current year is no plan at all. We cannot leave Olympia with a budget that will leave us with upwards of $2 billion in additional cuts to make next January. The cuts under that scenario would be disastrous.

“It is my belief that the Senate bipartisan budget is the superior proposed operating budget. While it makes larger cuts this year than other proposals, over time it will provide more stability. Even though it will deliver less in services, it will not cripple our ability to responsibly address our core responsibilities.

“I have repeatedly urged my colleagues to get serious about systemic budget reforms. In past years I have sponsored legislation to provide accountability, transparency and fiscal sustainability in agreement for my vote on the budget, only to see these efforts vetoed or poorly implemented in many cases.

“There is a time for campaigning for what you want, and a time for governing with what you have. I have come to the conclusion that true reform is just to govern.

“I strongly believe that we will not find support for expanded public service funding until we change the public perception that we don’t manage the taxpayers’ money responsibly. I believe the Senate bipartisan budget comes closest to this.

“What we have done early this morning is open the door to a necessary conversation about moving our state into a sustainable future. With five days left in the session, it is important we begin negotiations immediately and move the budget to the governor for approval.”

Senate passes Kastama direct-provider option

Senate Democrats — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:57:00 GMT

Up to 2,000 state employees could opt for unlimited access to preventive and primary health care through a direct patient-provider pilot project created by legislation passed today by the Senate.

"This is a new way to deliver care. It's less expensive, has better outcomes and transforms the doctor patient relationship,” said Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup. “In these practices, doctors are paid to keep you well. Their primary focus is on preventing illnesses."

Instead of paying per medical procedure, direct provider plans pay a provider to keep the patient healthy, installing an incentive for the provider to keep patients from incurring illnesses in the first place.

“These plans result in better outcomes and have been proven to reduce downstream health care costs at much as 50 percent,” Kastama said. ”This approach is better for the state, and it’s better for the employee.”

Under Kastama’s Senate Bill 6589, the existing health care plans for state employees would remain in place but up to 2,000 state employees in Pierce and King counties would be given the option of trying direct provider care for the first year. All we are doing is saying those under the Uniform Plan can choose.

“There is no need for catastrophic policies because that is provided under this plan,” Kastama said. “This is just an option with the complete wrap-around of the Uniform Medical Plan.”

SB 6589 passed on a 41-8 vote and now goes to the House for consideration.

Senate votes to end budget gimmicks with 4-year balanced budget constitutional amendment

Senate Democrats — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:23:00 GMT

Late Monday, the Senate passed landmark legislation to restructure how state budgets are written.

Senate Joint Resolution 8222, sponsored by Sen. Jim Kastama, a firm advocate for a sustainable budget, passed on a 36-12 vote, exceeding the two-thirds requirement and now goes to the House for consideration there. Kastama’s bill requires the state to balance the budget over a four-year period instead of the current two-year model.

“A four-year balanced budget will force action to stabilize the budget and ensure predictability in government service funding,” said Kastama, a Puyallup Democrat. “The requirement will prevent fiscal year accounting gimmicks that push debt onto the next biennium. It will also force honesty by conforming our budget with long term projections.”

Kastama noted that three of the world’s most influential credit rating agencies recently downgraded Washington’s status from “stable” to “negative,” citing the state’s continued depressed revenues and continued long-term deficits.

“This measure was taken up in direct action to affirm Washington state's credit worthiness,” Kastama said. “Today we sign budgets that we know will lead to a deficit in just a few short years. This common-sense fiscal reform will provide future predictability so we can maintain important state services and not have them suddenly terminated due to insufficient funding.”

A planned, balanced budget will stabilize funding for public schools, public road works, public transportation initiatives, environmental grants, state-provided healthcare and essential state services like emergency responders.

"This is historic,” Kastama said. “Here in Washington, we have accomplished in the Senate something that not even the federal government has been able to do, and with bipartisan agreement."

Washington’s outgoing chief economist, Arun Raha, enthusiastically supports this amendment as a necessary measure to stabilize our long term budget crisis. Related legislation also merges the Revenue Forecast Council with the Case Load Forecast Council to increase the accuracy of the state’s fiscal projections.

As a constitutional amendment, if SJR 8222 passes the House, it would go to the voters for ratification or rejection on the November 2012 ballot.

Senate passes Kastama reform commission

Senate Democrats — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:53:00 GMT

The Legislature would create an independent commission to break political gridlock and find ways to make state government more efficient under legislation passed today by the Senate.

“Everyone talks about streamlining government, but it’s almost impossible for lawmakers to agree on what should be cut or changed because of all the competing special interests and constituencies,” Sen. Jim Kastama said. “This will put the decision in the hands of an objective third party that can look at the merits instead of the constituency.”

Kastama’s Senate Bill 6345 is modeled on the highly successful Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) created by Congress in 2005 to circumvent political gridlock in identifying military bases for closure. His bill would create the Agency Reallocation and Realignment of Washington (ARROW) commission.

Like BRAC, Kastama’s ARROW commission would develop a package of recommendations that the Legislature would pass as a whole. Amending any portion of the recommendations would require a two-thirds vote. The commission would submit its findings, recommendations and proposed legislation to the Legislature annually from 2013 until 2016 and then at the beginning of each biennium after that.

“Everybody agrees that BRAC was a major success,” said Kastama, a Puyallup Democrat and chair of the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee. “ARROW can do the same for Washington state government.”

The eight-member commission would propose ways of reducing spending while maintaining essential services, with the freedom to consolidate, eliminate or create state agencies and departments. It could also redefine the duties and responsibilities of state officers. All of this would have to be done within existing revenues.

“My goal is a process than can get past all the sacred cows and favorite sons in favor of one cohesive plan that serves our state’s best interests,” Kastama said. “This commission will be in a position to look beyond the pieces and see the bigger picture.” SB 6345 passed on a 31-16 vote and now goes to the House.

Kastama: Improve border, relations with Canada

Senate Democrats — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:01:00 GMT

Accelerated efforts to improve the flow of people and goods across Washington’s border with Canada will boost the economies of both Canada and the United States and reap considerable benefits for Washington, Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, said today.

Kastama’s Senate Joint Memorial 8016, passed today on a 46-1 vote by the Senate, commits Washington to participate and follow through on the Border Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness and the Action Plan on Regulatory Cooperation. The plans were developed by the Beyond the Border working group on federal representatives from both countries.

“Today is an historic day between Washington and our neighbors to the north,” Kastama said immediately prior to the Senate’s vote. “This will accelerate the flow of goods between our state and Canada and boost both economies.”

Kastama, chair of the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee, said the impetus for the plan grew out of a conference on innovation he attended last year in Ottawa. “They chose Washington state because we have an historic bond,” Kastama said. “Our state will pioneer this effort by increasing our two-way cooperation with Canada.”

Under the plan, Washington and Canada will work together to enhance security and accelerate the legitimate flow of people, goods, and services by addressing threats early; by facilitating trade, economic growth and employment; by enforcing cross-border laws; and by maintaining critical infrastructure and security.

SJM 8016 was endorsed on the Senate floor by Gov. Chris Gregoire and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark.

“This will reduce barriers to trade, lower costs for consumers and businesses, and create economic opportunities on both sides of the border,” Kastama said. “This plan will let us align both countries’ regulatory approaches in agriculture, food, transportation, health and personal care products, chemical management, the environment and other areas without compromising our health or safety.”

Kastama: 'I will vote yes on marriage equality'

Senate Democrats — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:54:00 GMT

Sen. Jim Kastama announced today that he will vote “yes” on marriage equality legislation coming before the Senate this legislative session. Here are his remarks:

“In my two terms as a state representative and three as a state senator, I have defended the institution of marriage and family. The reason I got into politics in the first place was to advocate for upstanding divorced fathers disenfranchised by the state with less than equal child visitation time.

“As the economy struggles, deficits rise, and revenues fall, whether we like it or not our federal and state government programs will shrink. Marriage, a source of personal support and financial security for many, will become the true safety net. The state has a responsibility to strengthen marriage to prepare for this economic and societal reality.

“As our world has changed, so have our relationships. We are a very different people than we were in the 1950s or during my childhood. To strengthen marriage as a valued institution it must evolve to meet the demands of today’s couples. In 2012, I believe we have reached the point where society is ready to recognize and support same-sex couples who seek the bonds, benefits and security of marriage. They too, deserve this 'safety net.'

“My colleagues have informed me that I am one of the last votes needed to pass marriage equality legislation in the Senate.

“In the interest of gay and lesbian couples in my district and across our state I will vote 'yes' on the marriage equality legislation before us this session.

“I believe we need to pass this legislation without a ballot amendment.

“This is not my first tough vote. It will not be my last.

“This decision is a deeply personal one. Unlike some of my colleagues in liberal districts, I will not return home to cheers and handshakes. I represent the district I was raised in. My wife and I purchased and live in the same house I grew up in and we have raised our family there. My district has known me my whole life and for 16 years has entrusted me to be a fiercely independent legislator. The people of my district are generous and decent, but I also know that there are childhood friends who will never forgive me for this vote.

“This is one of the most controversial issues of the past several decades.

“However, for many of my colleagues voting for this bill is not controversial at all. There is no risk to them, they are safe to tote the party line from safe seats. To their constituents, this vote will be viewed as a triumph of leadership and a marker of courage. And sadly, some will use this vote to overshadow a record of special interest indebtedness that has failed this state.

“When one sponsor of this legislation was asked why he would not support Charter Schools, he said it was because it was too controversial. I’ve heard the same reasons given for why we can’t restructure government or correct a budget that predictably leads to a deficit every single year.

“In our toxic political climate, the vulnerable are held hostage to tax increases, students are held hostage to the infighting of adults, and everyone is held hostage to exploding healthcare costs and mounting deficits.

“Gays and lesbians are not the only people calling for controversial reforms. Everyone is.

“If controversy is the cost of tackling important issues, then I say bring on the controversy. Make controversy the hallmark of this session.

“If we can address this difficult issue, then we have no excuse for not addressing other difficult challenges."

Sen. Kastama on shifting to a sustainable budget

Senate Democrats — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:09:00 GMT

In the third segment of a four-part series, Sen. Jim Kastama explains why the state keeps encountering budget shortfalls and what the Legislature needs to do to avoid them in future budgets.

The state's economic outlook, in 7 minutes

Senate Democrats — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:29:00 GMT

In the second segment in a four-part series, Sen. Jim Kastama discusses the economic challenges facing Washington.

The Great Recession, in 5 minutes

Senate Democrats — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:59:00 GMT

In the first segment of a four-part series examining the state’s budget problems and potential solutions, Sen. Jim Kastama explains the nature of the Great Recession.