OLYMPIA, Wash. — It may be a short session, but lawmakers in Olympia said they have a long to-do list for the legislature this year.
In even years the state legislature meets in Olympia for 60 days. Odd-year sessions are 105 days to allow legislators more time to pass two-year budgets.
On Monday, the opening day of the session, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said she would like legislators to pass a limit on rent increases and increase access to affordable health care.
“I’m optimistic and determined…and I invite you all to work together with me on solutions,” Jinkins said.
In the opening week, House Democrats submitted a proposal to cap rent increases to five percent per year. Renters would need to be given six months' notice of any increases higher than three percent.
During his State of the State Address on Tuesday, Governor Jay Inslee said he wants lawmakers to give paraprofessionals a raise of three dollars an hour.
He also asked legislators to pass a constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights in the state of Washington.
“Most in this room are committed to protecting that right, but none of us will hold these seats forever,” said Inslee, “We must face the reality that there are forces in our nation, and in our own state, intent on destroying the right of choice.”
Inslee has proposed offering rebates to low and middle-income families to pay utility bills.
He called the state of the state “stronger than ever,” a claim challenged by House Minority Leader Rep. Drew Stokesbary.
”We have the fewest police officers per capita. We are between number one and number three for violent crime, property crime, auto theft for the country. 70 percent of our students are failing math standards. 50 percent of our students are failing reading standards,” said Stokesbary, R-Auburn.
In the coming week, legislators will discuss offering homeowners who live near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport help protecting their properties against noise pollution, a bill to require African-American studies for students from seventh to twelfth grade has a hearing on Monday, Martin Luther King, Junior day, and a bill to provide free school lunches to all public students has a hearing on Thursday.
The session is scheduled to end March 7.