Committees
- Economic Development, Trade & Innovation (Chair)
- Higher Education & Workforce Development
- Ways & Means
Olympia Office
235 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0446
(360) 786-7648
Fax: (360) 786-1446
District Office
323 North Meridian, Ste. C
Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 840-4701
News
Kastama discusses budget vote on KUOW 3/6/2012
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 3/3/2012
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.
Senate passes Kastama direct-provider option 2/14/2012
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."
Senate votes to end budget gimmicks with 4-year balanced budget constitutional amendment 2/14/2012
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.
Senate passes Kastama reform commission 2/11/2012
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: Improve border, relations with Canada 2/10/2012
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.
Kastama: 'I will vote yes on marriage equality' 1/19/2012
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.
Sen. Kastama on shifting to a sustainable budget 12/6/2011
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 11/1/2011
In the second segment in a four-part series, Sen. Jim Kastama discusses the economic challenges facing Washington.
The Great Recession, in 5 minutes 10/12/2011
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.
Older Posts
Sen. Kastama
on the issues
Click on these links to watch short videos of Sen. Jim Kastama explaining his bills and policy goals:
Innovation vs. Invention
Innovation and Economic Development
Increasing Access to Higher Education
Reforming State Government
‘My Purpose in Olympia'