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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The pace of Olympia is picking up. When the session started three weeks ago, there were a few dozen bills dropping each day. Now there are more than fifty or more bills a day being introduced. I have learned a great deal about the legislative process and I am so honored to work on your behalf.
Update On My “Rainy Day Jobs” Bills
Two of my storm water relief bills, House Bill 1235 to prioritize state investments in storm water control and House Bill 1237 to create a storm water compliance pilot project received a hearing in the Environment Committee this week. I’m grateful to the business and community leaders from Clark County who traveled to the Capitol to testify in favor of these jobs producing bills.
I will know in another week whether or not my bills will come up for a vote. Please contact the House Environment Committee chair, Rep. Dave Upthegrove, to encourage him to schedule the “Rainy Day Jobs” bills for executive session:
Rep. Dave Upthegrove
304 John L. O’Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7868
dave.upthegrove@leg.wa.gov
My bills would address storm water permitting and create equal environmental protection at a reduced regulatory cost. I’m “all in” when it comes to complying with the Federal Clean Water Act, but too often the Department of Ecology goes too far in its interpretation of these federal standards. The bills I am proposing offer a common sense alternative, a path to more jobs for our community and a better way to fix our most polluted basins in Clark County.
Other Bills I Am Lending A Hand On
I have signed onto House Bill 1257 that requires parental notification when a girl under 18 is seeking to have an abortion. I am passionately pro-life, and want these young girls to know that there are options other than abortion. Requiring parental notification would make sure these girls have an opportunity to discuss these options with their family.
I also signed onto House Bill 1371, the “Firearms Freedom Act.” This bill does three things:
- Provides that any weapon or ammunitions produced in Washington State are not subject to Federal jurisdiction;
- In a state of emergency the Governor will not prohibit the people’s second amendment rights; and
- Nullifies any federal rules, laws, or regulations adopted after January 1, 2013.
Abortion Coverage Mandate
This week, House Bill 1044 was heard in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee which would require all private, state-regulated health plans to provide coverage for abortions if the plan provides maternity coverage. Under Obamacare, all health plans are required to provide maternity coverage; therefore, if this bill passes, all plans will be required to cover abortions.
This is a direct attack on religious liberty and freedom.Federal law offers protections for health insurers to determine whether or not they will offer abortion coverage in their health plans.
Tell the Committee you do not want to be forced to buy health insurance coverage for abortions in which you have a moral or religious objection. The proponents like to call this bill “Reproductive Parity” but I call it what it is, an “Abortion Coverage Mandate.”
Call or e-mail the chair of this committee, Rep. Eileen Cody and ask her not to move this forward:
303 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7978
eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov
I will keep you posted on all these initiatives and other legislation I am currently working on as they move through the process. Please pass this e-newsletter onto your friends and neighbors so that they may subscribe to receive regular updates from me.
Sincerely,
Liz Pike
"Protecting life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!"
