The Official Blog of Senate DemocratS

Revenue hits targets, economy gives mixed signals

5/14/2012

Revenue collections are meeting expectations, but the economic outlook is mixed in Washington and gets murkier from there, according to the latest update from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. More...

President Obama supports marriage equality

5/9/2012

Today President Barack Obama said he supports the right of gay and lesbian Americans to marry, a position in line with the Legislature's work this year in Washington state.

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that 'don't ask, don't tell' is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," Obama told ABC News. He also cited what he called a generational shift in views of same-sex couples, his wife Michelle's support and his own Christian faith in discussing his decision. More...

More WA babies born at full term, improving their health

5/9/2012

Washington agencies, hospitals, physicians and expectant mothers have teamed up to deliver a dramatic increase in the number of babies born at full term -- 39 weeks -- instead of earlier in their pregnancies. Driven by new research demonstrating the short and long term hazards of early delivery, the Legislature, state agencies, the Washington State Hospital Association and others worked to rapidly change long-established obstetric practices. More...

Majority Leader Brown will not seek re-election

5/3/2012

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

"I have decided not to seek re-election to the 3^rd District Senate seat this fall. Returning home two weeks ago, I began taking stock of my 20 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. More...

SDC reform agenda implemented, saving $70M

5/3/2012

At the beginning of the 2012 Legislative session, Washington State Senate Democrats set a goal of reshaping the way Washington funds and delivers services. At the end of the session, the Legislature has passed a majority of their priority bills that move the state toward that goal.

Out of 35 bills on the Democratic reform agenda, 22 were approved by the Legislature, including measures to make improvements to K-12 employee health insurance, identify and prevent Medicaid fraud and streamline the environmental permitting process. The bills, a mix of Senate legislation and House companion bills, will save the state nearly $70 million in 2012 and over $350 million over the next five years. More...

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