Washington State Senate Democrats: Rodney Tom

Sen. Tom to hold town hall meeting

Senate Democrats — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:57:00 GMT

Have questions, or would like to discuss the issues with Sen. Tom? He and the 48th District's legislative team will host a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Who: Sen. Rodney Tom, Rep. Ross Hunter, Rep.-elect Cyrus Habib

What: Town Hall – 48^th Legislative District

When: 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Where: Bellevue City Hall (450 110th Ave. NE)

Why: To meet with constituents to discuss issues and answer their questions about the upcoming legislative session.

Senators Tom, Schoesler encourage orderly transition to 2013 session

Senate Democrats — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:54:00 GMT

Last week Democratic and Republican senators announced they have formed a Majority Coalition Caucus to lead the Senate during the 2013 legislative session. Twenty-five state senators committed themselves to a set of principles that will guide the work of the new caucus and announced an unprecedented committee structure with six committees led by Democrats, six led by Republicans and three co-chaired committees.

Today incoming Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue and Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville issued this statement about their desire for an orderly transition to the new majority and committee structure:

“Senator Murray has said repeatedly that in order for the Senate to function, someone has to be in charge. We agree, and as the new majority we are committed to moving forward with the Senate structure we believe best reflects the values of the people of our state.

“We gave careful consideration to the committees and chairs that will be leading them. We trusted that issues like higher education, the environment, natural resources and economic development are as important to the Senate Democratic caucus as they are to ours, so we anticipated they would accept our offer of chairmanships on those committees. We also feel strongly that our unprecedented sharing of the 15 Senate policy committees – with six chaired by each caucus and three co-chaired committees – will facilitate collaboration and provide the most fair and equitable representation of people from every corner of our state. Some committees have had a long history of cooperation, and those are the ones we chose to be co-chaired. But to have co-chairs for every committee would be a recipe for gridlock, particularly in areas like education and the operating budget.

“This is the time to put the people of Washington first rather than focus on politics. While we recognize Senate Democrats are technically in charge until the legislative session opens Jan. 14, there is a long-standing tradition that has the outgoing majority accommodate the new majority so a transition can get under way in the weeks before a session begins. It is our hope that the current majority will cooperate with us to ensure a smooth handoff of leadership and allow the Senate to tackle the many pressing needs of our state from day one of the 2013 session.

“The majority coalition caucus remains committed to working in a collaborative, bipartisan fashion as we move into and through the 2013 legislative session.”

For more information contact Rebecca Japhet at (360) 786-7516

Sen. Tom's comments from the Majority Coalition Caucus news conference

Senate Democrats — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:53:00 GMT

To hear Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, and new Senate Majority Leader, comment at a news conference announcing the formation of the new Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, click here.

Bipartisan coalition forms majority in Washington State Senate

Senate Democrats — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:47:00 GMT

Democrat and Republican senators announced today that they have formed a Majority Coalition Caucus to lead the Senate during the 2013 legislative session. Twenty-five state senators have committed themselves to a set of principles that will guide the work of the new caucus, including:

promoting job growth and a vibrant economy;
creating a sustainable budget and living within the state’s means;
providing a world-class education system through reforms and enhancements;
governing collaboratively to protect the most vulnerable while prioritizing the needs of middle-class Washingtonians; and
setting priorities for state government and holding it accountable.

“The public is hungry for Olympia to come together and work cooperatively on our most important priorities – jobs, education and the budget,” said Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue. “The fact that 65 percent of citizens just voted to affirm a two-thirds vote standard for raising taxes also shows they are looking for a more responsible government – especially when it comes to spending. It is time we put aside party dynamics and focus instead on the needs of all Washingtonians.”

The Majority Coalition Caucus has agreed that when the Legislature convenes next month it will form six committees with Democratic chairs, six with Republican chairs and three with co-chairs. None of the committees will have more than a one-vote margin between Republicans and Democrats.

“People are looking for something different from what they’re seeing in the other Washington. This new caucus will conduct the Senate’s business in a truly bipartisan way, sharing committee control and governing together. It’s exactly the sort of cooperation the people of our state and our nation want to see,” said Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “In the past, some of us have been on opposite sides of issues. But when it comes to prioritizing our state spending, we stand side by side. I look forward to showing that in the Senate we can put policy ahead of politics and govern in a responsible and bipartisan way.”

The Majority Coalition Caucus’s governing principles specifically state that it is the members’ intent to operate in a bipartisan and cooperative way using a structure that fosters a truly shared leadership style.

“The coalition of Democratic and Republican senators formed late in the 2012 session was the driving force behind an unprecedented set of reforms and a responsible budget supported by 90 percent of the Senate,” said Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch. “The surest path to more reforms and a sustainable budget next year is for us to work as a bipartisan coalition from the get-go, investing the time up front to get it right. This approach has already worked. In 2003 the Republicans who held the Senate majority at the time named me chair of the Economic Development Committee. That bipartisan approach resulted in the inclusion of a wide variety of perspectives, good geographical representation and better legislation.”
The 2013 legislative session begins Jan. 14.

Additional Information

A helpful guide regarding K-12 education finance

Senate Democrats — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:00:07 GMT

Each year, non-partisan committee staff assemble guides for the public to better understand ongoing and evolving issues. Click here or the picture below for a glimpse into some of the challenges facing our public education system and for a comprehensive summary on how we got to where we are today.

VIDEO: Sen. Tom special session, budget deal de-brief

Senate Democrats — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:15:00 GMT

Sen. Tom’s 3-23-12 E-Newsletter

Senate Democrats — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:24:14 GMT

Sen. Tom’s 3-16-12 E-Newsletter

Senate Democrats — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:40:20 GMT

OP-ED: Irresponsible budgets hurt education

Senate Democrats — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:37:00 GMT

Two weeks ago we joined a bipartisan majority of state senators to present a long-term sustainable budget that doesn't spend more money than the state expects to collect. This proposal not only addresses the remaining 16 months left in the current two-year budget cycle, but also the next two-year budget cycle through mid-2015. Families and small businesses face serious consequences if they do not live within their means and plan for the future; state government is no different.

We represent our constituents with the shared belief that education is the single most important part of maintaining and improving our state. Since the initial Senate budget proposal, we have worked to restore not only all basic-education funding but also other key services as well.

One of the programs for which we have been able to restore funding is called Working Connections Child Care; it helps educate our youngest children while allowing their parents to pursue their own education or work goals putting them on a path to self-sufficiency.

Like many of you, we were concerned about the education-policy changes in the initial budget, but we also knew those concerns would be addressed before a final budget was approved. Despite the silence due to the lack of cooperation during negotiations, we have taken it upon ourselves to not waste time and instead used this past week to create solutions.

On Thursday morning, alongside many of our Senate colleagues, we released a new budget that addresses the concerns we had regarding support for education and programs that aid the most vulnerable. This updated Senate proposal is a viable approach that prioritizes long-term sustainability and restores all K-12 and higher education funding without making cuts to basic education or levy-equalization payments, which keeps K-12 and higher education intact.

The last thing our schools or colleges need is a shortsighted approach that guarantees yet another budget deficit next year. The House proposes to invent a “13th month” for accounting purposes and shove all our problems there. If that plan were approved, we would be looking at a projected $2.1 billion shortfall next year. A deficit of this magnitude would pose a dangerous threat to basic education and devastate higher education. We are working together to shield the next generation from these attacks on their future.

We are dismayed with the gridlock in budget negotiations; that’s why we stepped forward with a willingness to listen and lead. The House’s refusal to consider our initial proposal has left us perplexed and disappointed. It is our hope that this new bipartisan plan will finally bring about a desire to work together.

We are firmly committed to delivering a budget that protects education and allows our state to live within its means now and in the future. We are confident that both chambers will work together to create a bipartisan plan a majority of lawmakers can support – a plan in which Washington residents can have confidence and one that still pursues the public’s core priorities, even during times of economic uncertainty.

Sens. Joe Fain (R-47), Andy Hill (R-45), Steve Litzow (R-41) and Rodney Tom (D-48), serve on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, with Litzow as the ranking minority member. Sen. Tom chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee with Sen. Hill as the ranking minority member.

Up Front: Legislature heads into special session

Senate Democrats — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:25:00 GMT