OLYMPIA, Wash. — Lawmakers are back in session in Olympia for a 60-day session.
Sessions during even years are 60 days, while those held in odd years are 105 days to allow more time to negotiate state budgets.
But Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said the short session would not keep legislators from exploring a long list of priorities.
“I’m optimistic and determined,” said Jinkins, “I invite you all to work together with me on solutions.”
Moves to expand behavioral health, combat fentanyl addiction and increase affordable housing were all mentioned in Jinkins’ opening day address to House members.
House minority leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, said the state also has to look at providing tax relief for citizens.
Several proposals would generate rebate checks for Washingtonians.
Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Washington, proposed offering low-income families assistance paying utility bills.
Democratic Senator Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, has a bill to reduce car tab costs.
House Republicans are backing a proposal to offer $214 checks to everyone in the state who is a registered car owner.
The funds would come from an estimated $1.3 billion surplus generated by the state’s new climate policy, the Climate Commitment Act.
The law charges carbon producers fees to generate funds used to combat climate change, subsidize free transit for children, and pay for projects like bike lanes and sidewalks.
Critics have blamed high gas prices on the law. An initiative in November could give voters the chance to repeal it.
The Secretary of State’s Office needs to verify signatures gathered by initiative backers last year for the initiative to qualify for the ballot.
Republican Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, said her bill to offer rebates to car owners from the surplus would help her constituents pay their bills.
”It just takes the excess, it doesn’t affect the program at all and how it’s working currently,” said Connors, “But it gives those excess dollars back to the people of the State of Washington.”
This year’s legislator has one new member, Democratic Rep. Greg Nance.
He said he could be willing to support one of the proposed rebate bills as long as the climate law remains in place.
“Any idea that helps us advance our clean, environmental goals and develops our economy to build our infrastructure, we’re all ears,” said Nance, D-Bainbridge Island.