Washington State Senate Democrats: Ed Murray

Sen. Murray's statement on President Obama's support of marriage equality

Senate Democrats — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:42:00 GMT

Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, sponsor of Washington's marriage equality law, issued the following statement today regarding President Barack Obama's support of the right of gay and lesbian Americans to marry:

"In a 17-year effort to pass marriage equality legislation in Washington state, I have been inspired by the thoughtfulness and compassion shown by people of all walks of life as they consider such a deeply personal issue.

"President Obama sincerely considered the real issues faced by loving, committed gay and lesbian couples and concluded that America’s highest ideals are best served by justice, and justice is best served by true equality for us all, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. I thank the president for his courage in taking a strong position in support of equality for all Americans. And I believe that, as more people come to know their gay and lesbian friends, family members and neighbors, as a state and a nation we will embrace marriage equality."

Sen. Murray’s statement on governor signing state budget

Senate Democrats — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:12:00 GMT

Sen. Murray, the chair of the budget-writing Senate Ways & Means Committee, issued the following statement regarding Gov. Chris Gregoire's signing of the budget approved by the Legislature:

"This is the first budget in four years to avoid cuts to Washington’s schools, colleges and universities. For families and students, that is great news. After the deep cuts of the past few years, I and many of my colleagues are pleased to have protected education and important services for Washingtonians who are sick, hungry or disabled.

"We should not, however, overlook the fact that cuts were still made to public services this year, or that this budget marks the first time in at least 40 years that state spending has declined for two biennia in a row. As long as so many Washingtonians are still out of work, their need for support will remain high and our revenues will remain weak. We must continue to find ways to help those who need it, and assist our communities in recovering from a historic recession."

Sen. Ed Murray’s statement on passage of a balanced budget

Senate Democrats — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:56:00 GMT

Sen. Murray issued the following statement regarding the budget approved by the Legislature early Wednesday morning:

"Months ago when we began our work on this budget, we faced the prospect of making deep cuts to all state services. Instead, the Senate Democrats’ proposal in February was the first to fully protect education. Today we passed a budget that held the line on education. We passed a budget that preserved services that keep the most vulnerable Washingtonians safe and healthy. We protected family planning, food assistance and other services that had been targeted for cuts or outright elimination.

"It’s taken longer than I would have liked to reach this point. Much of the difficulty and expense of the past special session could have been avoided. But if the price of protecting our students, seniors and vulnerable neighbors was a month of difficult negotiations, it was well worth it.”

Sen. Murray's statement on Israeli LGBT delegation's visit

Senate Democrats — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:53:00 GMT

OLYMPIA -- Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, issued the following statement regarding the recent Washington visit by the Alliance of Israeli LGBTQ Educational Organizations:

"Last week, a group of lesbian and gay delegates from Israel stopped in Seattle as part of a West Coast tour to promote awareness of LGBT issues within their country. In the ensuing days since their arrival, there appears to be a growing impression that no leaders of Washington's LGBT community would agree to meet with them. While it is true that the Seattle LGBT Commission rescinded an invitation to meet with the delegation under pressure from a small, vocal opposition, on the whole this impression is incorrect.

"First, I personally met with the Alliance of Israeli LGBTQ Educational Organizations during their visit to Olympia. These are people who are moving rights for gays and lesbians forward, people like Adir Steiner, whose work led the Israeli military to recognize committed same-sex relationships as equal to the marriages of straight couples. For me, as an advocate for LGBT rights in Washington State, it was an important opportunity to share information and experiences with those working towards the same goals in their respective homeland.

“Secondly, I personally called several members of the LGBT Commission and asked them not to cancel their meeting with the Israeli delegation. As co-founder of the Commission in 1989, I feel strongly that the commission’s goal of advancing civil rights for LGBT people is only enhanced by listening to and learning from members across our community – locally, nationally and internationally.

“I am disappointed in the Seattle LGBT Commission’s actions. It’s especially disappointing given the fact that important parts of the Jewish community in our state, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, have stood side –by side with the LGBT community in our fight for justice. They stood by us when we passed ground-breaking anti-discrimination laws and they again stood by us in our most recent push for marriage equality.

“I agree with the federation’s view that, ‘The activists who petitioned the LGBT Commission decided it is wiser to bring the Israeli and Palestinian conflict to Seattle and divide our community, than to seek constructive dialogue and action that elevates diverse narratives and leads to a peaceful solution. Ideally, this peaceful solution will include both a Jewish democratic state and a Palestinian state.’

“The Seattle LGBT Commission’s highest priority should be the advancement of the LGBT community. It should recognize the efforts of women and men who have had the individual courage it takes to move society toward greater acceptance of gay and lesbian rights. It should recognize this is a global struggle, in which we have allies, and that those allies deserve more respect than they were given last week.”

Find common ground to pass state budget

Senate Democrats — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:17:32 GMT

The following article by Sen. Ed Murray appeared in the Seattle Times:

The Legislature was not expected to adjourn on time Thursday because there is no agreement about how to bridge the $1 billion dollar hole in the state budget.

As budget chair in the Senate, I am well aware of the many expectations placed on the budget this year by those in the political middle and on either side of the aisle. Although some of these expectations are in conflict, I proposed a budget framework that aimed to accommodate them all.

Despite a recent, much-publicized takeover of the budget by minority Republicans — and the setback this has created — I believe lawmakers can still meet our diverse expectations.

What are they?

• Bipartisanship. In 2011, my first year as chair, I set up a bipartisan budget-writing process in the Senate. This process built trust with the minority party by sharing information and meeting regularly with the minority, changing a 90-old-year rule to better enable the minority to amend the budget on the floor of the Senate and, most importantly, incorporating ideas for improved government performance from all corners.

The resulting budget was jointly presented by me and the ranking Republican member of the budget committee, Sen. Joe Zarelli. It received support from 10 Republicans and 24 Democrats in the Senate.

This year, I continued to chair the budget committee as if this agreement were still in place. The minority party opted out. They decided to enlist three moderate Democrats and take over the budget in the final week of session, passing a budget in the Senate before the majority party or the public had any chance to see it or provide input. They refer to their tactics as "bipartisan."

• Protect education, higher education and the vulnerable. "I'll be working to keep K-12 education and higher education and services to our most vulnerable residents whole — they've seen enough reductions already," Sen. Zarelli said on Feb. 16.

These are also my priorities, but I put them into my budget. After three years of recessionary budgets that made $11 billion in cuts, primarily to K-12 and higher education, my proposal made no cuts to K-12 or higher education.

My proposal preserved the social-safety net, including programs like the Disability Lifeline for the temporarily disabled and state's food-assistance program.

Sen. Zarelli's budget cuts K-12 and higher education, including eliminating the Readiness to Learn program, cutting the Reading Corps program and cutting Medicaid funding for special-education students. It cuts tuition assistance for low-income college students, veterans and others. His budget eliminates the Disability Lifeline program.

• Reforms and long-term sustainability. This year, the Senate supported legislation to improve the performance of teachers and our public schools, establish an independent commission to reduce the footprint of state government, reduce Medicaid fraud, reduce our state debt limit, and to budget over four-year instead of two-year increments.

Those who took over the budget process have long called for these reforms, yet they cite a lack of reform as a reason for their actions.

• No gimmicks. Another justification for the takeover was their desire to avoid "gimmicks." The governor's proposal to delay a payment to school districts by 24 hours was cited as the prime offender — even though it was part of last year's bipartisan agreement.

Let me be clear: I believe that delaying — but making — a payment is preferable to cutting education programs, or even raising taxes. School administrators and teachers agreed.

Sen. Zarelli's proposal skips — not delays, but skips — a payment to our pension system. That is essentially taking out a loan, the cost of which will continue to grow for years to come. His proposal sweeps an account meant for cleanup of hazardous-waste sites, dumping dedicated money into the general fund.

I believe the public, had they had a chance to participate in the debate over the Republican alternative, would agree with me: Protect education.

This editorial page has accused Democrats of being concerned with hurt egos ["Senate earthquake changes budget landscape, editorial, March 5]. In fact, we're concerned about hurting students, young people and vulnerable people.

Instead of working through the existing bipartisan agreement, those who took over the budget process say their budget is a framework for negotiation. Negotiation is impossible without trust and a willingness to meet in the middle. If all lawmakers adopted this my-way-or-the highway attitude, the Legislature would cease to function.

For years, Democrats have moved to the middle ground. Now, in special session, we look forward to meeting the minority party there.

Sen. Murray proposes capital gains tax, other revenue solutions.

Senate Democrats — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:19:27 GMT

To fund the services Washingtonians need, Sen. Murray has proposed a series of revenue ideas, including phasing out a temporary increase in the sales tax.

As the Associated Press reported today:

Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, told The Associated Press that he doesn't want the bulk of education cuts or cuts to critical care hospitals to be decided by voters, as proposed by Gov. Chris Gregoire in November.

Instead, Murray said that he wants to see Republicans and Democrats work together to maintain those programs, by increasing some business and occupation preferential rates, increasing the cigarette tax, extending the beer tax and reducing the sales tax break for cars purchased from auto dealers, among other things.

All of those things require a two-thirds vote, which means majority Democrats would need Republican votes, something Murray says he is hopeful for.

Murray said putting education and critical health care on the ballot is a "win or lose scenario."

"We shouldn't take that risk," he said. "We should take care of that problem here."

But Murray stressed that those actions alone won't solve the state's nearly $1 billion budget crisis, so in addition to sending voters a temporary sales tax increase, as proposed by Gregoire, Murray also wants voters to decide on a capital gains tax. Murray says his proposal would ramp down the amount of that sales tax that would go down as a permanent capital gains tax of 5 percent would start in Jan. 1., 2013.

Sen. Murray's remarks on the marriage equality bill

Senate Democrats — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:48:00 GMT

The following are Sen. Murray's remarks on the marriage equality bill, as prepared:

I recognize the issue before us; granting gay and lesbian couples the right to marry, is as contentious as any issue the Senate has debated in its history.

Those members who will vote against this bill today are my colleagues and they are my friends; they are not and should not be accused of bigotry.

Those of us who support this legislation are not and should not be accused of attempting to destroy family life or religious freedom.

Instead, all who are part of this great debate, believe in this nation, we are all patriots, attempting to do the best for the state we love.

The bill before us reflects our common commitment to religious freedom. It creates an absolute exemption for religious organizations and clergy that do not wish to marry lesbian or gay couples.

This is a difficult, personal issue because it is about what is closest to us all – family. At the heart of family is marriage.

Each of has seen in our families and among our friends the strength and joy and the pain and sorrow that marriage brings.

Domestic partnership was always an imperfect instrument, not easily understood, not easily providing the protection that all families, including ours, need.

We ask for your support not simply because marriage is a collection of legal rights.

We ask for your support because marriage is the unique way our society says, “you are family”

Marriage tells a community of a couple’s love for each other, and their commitment to care for each other in health and sickness.

What has changed since that first domestic partnership bill?

Washingtonians have come to understand that gay and lesbian families are our neighbors and friends.

They have come to understands why the state trooper who puts his life on the line for us everyday wishes to marry the man who hopes for his safe return home.

They have come to understand it is only fair that the young veteran who fought for this nation in the middle east should be able to marry the person she loves.

They have come to understand why a couple from Spokane Valley married for 56 years, Fred and Lily Shiosaki want to see the son they love marry the man he loves.

In the end, we share the same short moment of life. We seek as you do, the chance to live our lives, to experience joy, to care for our families, to contribute to our communities and to the nation we love.

This is why we seek your support.

Thank you.

The bill passed, 28-21.

Sen. Murray and his partner, Michael Shiosaki as the marriage equality bill came to a vote.

"We share the same short moment of life"

Senate Democrats — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:58:00 GMT

"The citizens of Washington state have come to understand that lesbian and gay families are their neighbors and their friends," said Sen. Ed Murray, prime sponsor of the mariage equality bill passed Wednesday.

SB6239 cleared the Senate in a historic, 28-21 vote.

"We share the same short moment of life. We like you seek the chance to live our lives, to experience joy, to care for our families, to contribute to our families and to the nation we love," said Murray.

The bill now goes to the House , where it is expected to pass.

Sen. Murray and partner Michael Shiosaki on why marriage matters

Senate Democrats — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:12:00 GMT

Listen to Sen. Murray and Michael Shiosaki, partners of more than 20 years, explain what passing marriage equality will mean, for them and for Washington state.

Compassion is the only path to equality

Senate Democrats — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:40:00 GMT

Sen. Ed Murray submitted the following editorial on Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

Today we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the midst of our struggle to achieve equality for lesbian and gay families. It's a special opportunity for those of us who want equality to reflect on the strength of Dr. King's nonviolent methods in achieving social change.

Following the teachings of his own Christian faith and inspired by the work of Mahatma Gandhi, King didn't simply abstain from physical violence. He and his allies found it in their hearts to love those who disagreed with them.

When hit – whether with clubs, fire hoses, or filthy words – they did more than refuse to hit back. They loved back.

That is the power we must harness in our struggle for marriage equality.

To begin with, it is important to distinguish between those on the extreme right and those who are honestly struggling with the issue of enabling committed lesbian and gay families to marry. It would be a profound mistake to confuse my colleagues who have said either they will vote no, or are unsure if they will vote yes, on the marriage equality bill, with hateful extremists.

My colleagues are good people. They treat others with respect and care. They are thinking through their position, not attacking others. And readers of The Stranger know better than anyone that a constructive debate doesn’t have to be boring. It just can’t be hateful.

And to be clear: some of those who opposed us over the years have attempted to denigrate us and threaten us. In committee hearings, on the streets and in public, they have often used language that is abhorrent. At times they have resorted to character assassination and even violence.

It hurts. It angers. Especially when it violates those closest to our hearts, our families and friends.

Anger is the natural reaction to pain. But anger will not change the hearts and minds of those struggling with their vote to support or oppose marriage equality for our families.

It is important to remember Dr. King often quoted Jesus’s call to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.”

He admitted it wasn’t easy. King was arrested more than twenty times, personally assaulted four times, and his family home was bombed. Despite being a living force for peace, Gandhi spent years of his life behind prison bars.

Yet those bars could not contain their hearts, their deepest convictions. They endured for their cause. And as King and Gandhi acted with love toward their enemies, I’m calling for all of us to act out of total, unquestioning respect for the opposition.

In the coming days, if they slander us, and we spit back at them, and they spout lies and we hurl insults – where will justice start? We have to break the cycle of spite, and make room for compassion. I’m not asking anyone to accept intolerance, to whisper their thoughts or bottle their passion, but to take a stand.

King said: “Somewhere somebody must have a little sense, and that’s the strong person. The strong person is the person who can cut off the chain of hate, the chain of evil. … Somebody must have religion enough and morality enough to cut it off and inject within the very structure of the universe that strong and powerful element of love.”

I would ask you in the weeks ahead to keep the examples of King and Gandhi in mind as you engage in discussions with legislators, neighbors, family and friends.

Some of our opponents have called for 10,000 people to show up for the Jan. 23 hearing on marriage equality. So let me make a suggestion to those of you who might not make it Olympia. At dusk on Jan. 22, step outside for five minutes and light a candle for our families and for all families in Washington state.

Join with your family on your front porch, or with neighbors on your block, and light a candle to show that you care most about treating one another with love. It’s a small gesture, but powerful. As King said, darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.