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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to my first update of the 2013 legislative session, and hello from Olympia!
Click below to watch my video update:
My first week
On Jan. 14 I was sworn in as your Washington State Representative. Being sworn in was one of the best experiences of my life. I am honored to serve, and will put 10th District citizens at the front of all my decisions and actions in Olympia. My first week included farewell speeches from statewide officials leaving office and attending Governor Inslee's inaugural address.
Policy Committees
During the 2013 legislative session I will serve on three House committees:
- the Education Committee which considers issues relating to K-12 education;
- the Transportation Committee which considers the transportation budget, revenue sources for transportation funding, and issues relating to transportation policy and transportation agencies; and
- the Public Safety Committee, as assistant ranking member, which considers issues relating to law enforcement, crime prevention, criminal penalties and sentencing.
I feel my committees really represent my priorities as a legislator. I look forward to focusing on education and transportation, as I know the importance they hold in our state and district. And I plan to be a strong voice on the tools law enforcement needs to ensure public safety.
Criminal Justice Training Commission
I have introduced a piece of legislation I am very excited about, and believe it will allow our law enforcement officers to receive the very best training to protect our citizens.
House Bill 1315 would restore the criminal justice training account, and protect all future funds that go into the account from being swept later on. In past years the legislature has raided this account and put the money into the general fund. This bill would put the protection of the funds in state statute, protecting from future raids.
Every law enforcement official in our state has to go through this training, and the monetary burden has fallen on local government. As city and county budgets become more and more tight, the state needs to make their commitment to public safety a priority. Protecting this fund is just one idea I have, and I will keep you informed in the coming weeks about the status of this bill and others I plan to introduce.
Sincerely,
Dave Hayes
