Your weekly news from the Hill

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End of regular session draws closer – special session in store?
Fewer than 10 days are left in this regular legislative session. Since Sine Die falls on a religious holiday, that actually shortens the time if they want to observe the holiday, making it less likely that they will finish on time.

The Legislature has a lot left to accomplish:

• Reconcile the operating and capital budgets. (See the state budget and the infrastructure, economic development, & transportation sections to learn more.)
• Consider dozens of bills considered “NTIB” – necessary to implement the budget. This includes several introduced just in the past week regarding closing tax loopholes, liquor privatization, and pensions. (See the state budget and personal & labor relations sections to learn more.)

The Governor and key leaders from both chambers and both caucuses will be talking next week about options for how to proceed should the Governor call a special session, including what issues beyond the budgets will be eligible for consideration.

State budget
Like the House operating budget, the Senate’s proposed operating budget cuts cities’ shared-revenue funds by 3.4%. The proposal also makes nearly $4.8 billion in reductions to public services. Senate Democrats unveiled a package of bills that aim to end or modify preferential tax treatment and dedicate that revenue to social service programs cut in the budget. AWC is evaluating all liquor privatization proposals.
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Infrastructure, economic development & transportation
All of AWC’s major priorities received significant funding in the Senate Capital Budget. The differences between the House and Senate budgets appear negotiable. AWC’s priority REET bill is on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature.
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Land use & housing
AWC’s priority fiscal relief legislation is still awaiting action in the House. The bill delaying the collection of GMA impact fees failed to pass the Senate by the deadline to pass policy bills. There may continue to be efforts to revive this legislation before session ends.
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Environment & water
Phase I and II NPDES cities: Urge your legislators to provide stormwater funding assistance. The House budget included $46 million and the Senate budget included $50 million to help fund local stormwater projects. AWC is working to ensure that all 100 NPDES cities would be able to access some of this money for local implementation of the NPDES permits.
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Personnel & labor relations
A proposal setting LEOFF Plan 2 contribution rates for 2011–13 assumes a $15 million savings for the state and a $22.9 million savings for local governments. Also, a bill merging Plan 1 and Plan 2 of the LEOFF retirement system has been introduced. AWC has concerns about the major policy changes included in this bill.
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General government
A bill exempting from public disclosure the personal information of children in a public or nonprofit program is going to the Governor for signature.
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Law & justice
The medical cannabis bill passed out of the House. The Governor recently expressed significant concerns about the legislation’s legality. Discussions about this will likely continue until the end of the regular session. See what bills were signed into law.
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Federal
Following a last-minute deal to avoid a partial federal government shutdown, the U.S. House and Senate approved a fiscal year 2011 federal budget this week. President Obama is expected to sign the measure today.
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Energy & telecommunications
A bill allowing utilities to collect donations for hunger programs has passed both houses and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature. The community solar bill passed the House, the Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee, and had a public hearing. Since it contains state budget implications, it is not subject to normal bill cut-offs.
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www.awcnet.org/LegislativeAdvocacy.aspx | Web links for session
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