OLYMPIA… The state senators who represent southern Thurston County reacted today to an effort to convert a residence near Tenino into “less restrictive” housing for convicted sex predators – thought to be Level 3 sex offenders now in custody in a Department of Social and Health Services facility on McNeil Island.
“The people of this area have every right to be outraged by what they are learning about this plan. The situation is more serious than a classic case of government failing to be transparent and respectful of public concerns, because it involves criminals who have committed truly heinous offenses, and state agencies that aren’t known for running a tight ship.
“The residents of southern Thurston County can see what’s happening up in Lynnwood, where people were blindsided by plans for a drug-treatment facility that was quietly approved by a state agency. They know how a special state commission suddenly put their part of the county on a short list for a massive new commercial airport that no one wants. They have little reason to trust the security of their families and property to either the Department of Social and Health Services, with its history of mismanagement, or the Department of Corrections.
“People across our state, not just in the Tenino area, can see the fallout from the policies approved by majority Democrats in our state Legislature. These actions have been welcomed by criminals, discouraged law enforcement and led to thousands of inmates being freed from prison in just the past several years. Anyone living near this proposed sex-offender home is right to be concerned about their safety, knowing how police can’t even pursue criminals like they could just a couple of years ago.
“The public-safety concerns surrounding this proposed sex-offender home are another example of why Senate Republicans have again made public safety one of our priorities for this year. We believe victims of crime and law-abiding citizens deserve to be treated equitably and respectfully.
“There are laws about the housing of sex predators that must be followed, but this is not the way. We stand with the people of Tenino and southern Thurston County as they rightfully demand honest answers. They deserve more respect than they’re getting.”
Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, represents the 35th Legislative District, which includes the location of the planned sex-predator housing. MacEwen said the plan illustrates Olympia’s indifference to public-safety concerns.
“The public outrage should not surprise us. When a project like this one is foisted on a small community, it tells us state agencies are simply not interested in the burdens they place on neighbors and the surrounding area. State agencies must be held to account for decisions like these. The people of Tenino and southern Thurston County deserve to know how the state plans to protect them.”
35th District lawmaker is ranking Republican on Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee
Drew MacEwen takes the oath of office in the state Senate as the 2023 Legislature opens for business, Jan. 9, 2023.
OLYMPIA – Drew MacEwen is taking a lead role on energy and the environment in the state Senate as he moves to the upper chamber of the Washington Legislature.
After 10 years in the House, the 35th District’s MacEwen was elected to the Senate last November, following the retirement of longtime Sen. Tim Sheldon. Already he has a key assignment, as ranking Republican on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee.
MacEwen, R-Union, took his new seat in the Senate Monday as lawmakers returned to Olympia to open their 2023 legislative session. The 105-day session is due to end April 23.
“After a decade in the House, I am humbled and honored to be returned by the people of the 35th District in this new role,” he said. “I want to thank people for their faith, and I’ll repay it by putting our district first.”
The 35th District, most rural in the state, covers Mason County and parts of Thurston and Kitsap counties.
Top issues for the district include better schools, taxpayer relief and public safety, MacEwen said. As lead Republican on the Senate committee overseeing energy and environmental issues, MacEwen will play a key role in some of the biggest issues before the Legislature, from gas prices to environmental cleanups, and the role of the free market in Washington’s energy future. “We all want new technologies to advance, but we don’t want to harm our economy in the process,” he said. “We need to explore all forms of new energy – and we need to protect what we already have.”
MacEwen’s other committee assignments are Business and Financial Services, Labor and Commerce, and Transportation.
MacEwen’s office number in Olympia is 360-786-7668. He can be reached by email at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov, and by regular mail at P.O. Box 40435, Olympia, WA 98504.
In this four-page mailer, Rep. Drew MacEwen provides a recap of the 2022 legislative session and shares some wins for the 35th District in the supplemental capital and transportation budgets passed by the Legislature.
The 2022 legislative session came to a close last Thursday. As with every session, good and bad bills advanced to the governor’s desk, but the biggest story of all may have been what the Legislature didn’t do.
Despite having a $15 billion budget surplus to work with, the majority opted against providing any tax relief for you and your family. House Republicans pushed hard for a permanent half-point sales tax cut to be funded in the $65 billion operating budget we passed, but our efforts were rebuffed. At the end of the day, the majority didn’t even end up passing their own bill to provide a three-day sales tax holiday in September to help families with back-to-school costs. They simply ended up spending nearly all of the $15 billion surplus.
It is hard to imagine a bigger missed opportunity at a time when Washingtonians are dealing with skyrocketing inflation (now at a 40-year high), the highest gas prices we’ve seen since 2008, and ongoing supply chain challenges. We had more than enough money in state coffers to fund our shared priorities and provide meaningful tax relief. That just wasn’t a priority for Democrats this session.
As I shared in my last update, I don’t believe the budget we passed puts us in a good position to weather a serious economic downturn in the future. Spending $65 billion in state funds while only leaving a four-year ending fund balance of $348 million is a mistake that I can only hope doesn’t come back to haunt us down the road.
No emergency powers reform yet again this session
One of the other major disappointments of the session was the Legislature’s failure to pass emergency powers reform. It has now been 748 days since Governor Inslee declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID pandemic.
Republicans in the Legislature have always said the executive branch needs to have the ability to respond quickly to pandemics, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies. At the same time, we have argued no person in state government should have indefinite unilateral authority to change lives and livelihoods on a whim. That is why for the past two sessions, we have pushed so hard to implement emergency powers reform. We believe it is critical to ensure the Legislature has a role to play in all future states of emergency.
Before session even began, we introduced an emergency powers reform bill that would have restored the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. While that bill received a public hearing, it was ultimately killed by House Democrats. Over in the Senate, Democrats advanced their own emergency powers bill (SB 5909) that editorial boards around the state called ‘ineffective,’ ‘weak,’ and ‘milquetoast.’ It simply wasn’t true reform.
When that bill came to the House floor for a vote, House Republicans introduced an amendment in an attempt to make it stronger. After several of our members spoke in favor of the amendment, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins abruptly stopped debate on the bill and never brought it back up for a vote.
I was asked about that during a Republican media availability on March 7. Here was my response:
https://youtu.be/dnqWwV2CTQg
Seeing as we had the time to pass a bill making pickleball the state’s official sport, it was somewhat surprising to hear Jinkins blame us for talking too much on an issue of actual importance.
In any case, tomorrow will be day 749 of the governor’s one-man rule.
Some wins for the 35th District in the 2022 supplemental capital and transportation budgets
In terms of good news, the $1.5 billion 2022 supplemental capital budget approved by the Legislature this session is set to build on the 2021-23 capital budget and make further investments in housing, infrastructure, mental health facilities, broadband, and school seismic safety.
In addition to the more than $25 million in local project funding Rep. Griffey and I secured in the 2021-23 capital budget, we were able to secure another $5.3 million in this year’s budget.
Some of the investments for our district include:
$3.25 million to upgrade the headworks at the Shelton Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), which provide screening for the removal of debris and grit to protect pumps and membranes used in downstream treatment processes. Completion of this project will eventually allow the City of Shelton to end discharges into Oakland Bay, decrease negative impacts to our local shellfish industry, and improve overall water quality in the area.
$1.28 million for the design and construction of modular buildings and the creation of office space and confidential mental health screening booths for incarcerated individuals at Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton.
$550,000 for Rustlewood Water System upgrades, which will provide much-needed water system reliability improvements and help reduce downstream risk of potential damage to lower elevation properties.
$400,000 for improvements to water systems being operated by the Port of Allyn.
$300,000 toward the new Allyn Community Center.
$250,000 to upgrade the HVAC system at the Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center in Shelton.
$206,000 to provide secure parking for the Shelton Police Department and Municipal Court in order to improve overall safety for officers and employees.
The capital budget was approved 49-0 in the Senate and 98-0 in the House. It is currently on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.
The 2022 supplemental transportation budget approved by the Legislature this session will provide $11.6 billion for the 2021-23 transportation budget. Funds in the budget are allocated for the maintenance and preservation of current transportation systems, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Washington State Ferry system, the Washington State Patrol, and other state transportation agencies.
In both budgets, Rep. Griffey and I were able to retain funding for all existing Connecting Washington transportation projects in the 35th. We also worked to ensure several items, including those listed below, were incorporated into the budget. For a complete list of projects, click here.
$12 million for the Highway 3 Freight Corridor, also known as the Belfair Bypass.
$2.6 million for US 101/Lynch Road intersection improvements.
$2.54 million in funding for Mason Transit Park and Ride development.
$2.3 million in additional funding for the future Silverdale Transit Center.
$650,000 for Wallace Kneeland Boulevard and Shelton Springs Road intersection improvements.
In addition, we both voted in favor of Senate Bill 5488, which will allocate more state funding for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge account. With this new infusion of funding, the Washington State Transportation Commission is expected to be able to reduce tolls on the bridge.
The 2022 supplemental transportation budget was approved 45-4 in the Senate and 93-5 in the House. It, too, is on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.
Contacting me
Although this year’s legislative session is now over, please know I am here to serve you year-round. I encourage you to contact me anytime with your comments, questions, and concerns. My email address is Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov, and my phone number is (360) 786-7902.
The $1.5 billion 2022 supplemental capital budget approved by the Legislature this session is set to make further investments in housing, infrastructure, mental health facilities, broadband, and school seismic safety.
In addition to the more than $25 million in local project funding 35th District Reps. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, and Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, secured in the 2021-23 capital budget, they were able to secure another $5.3 million in this year’s budget.
Some of the investments for the district include:
$3.25 million to upgrade the headworks at the Shelton Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), which provide screening for the removal of debris and grit to protect pumps and membranes used in downstream treatment processes. Completion of this project will eventually allow the City of Shelton to end discharges into Oakland Bay, decrease negative impacts to our local shellfish industry, and improve overall water quality in the area.
$1.28 million for the design and construction of modular buildings and the creation of office space and confidential mental health screening booths for incarcerated individuals at Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton.
$550,000 for Rustlewood Water System upgrades, which will provide much-needed water system reliability improvements and help reduce downstream risk of potential damage to lower elevation properties.
$400,000 for improvements to water systems being operated by the Port of Allyn.
$300,000 toward the new Allyn Community Center.
$250,000 to upgrade the HVAC system at the Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center in Shelton.
$206,000 to provide secure parking for the Shelton Police Department and Municipal Court in order to improve overall safety for officers and employees.
The lawmakers released the following statement on the 2022 supplemental capital budget:
“While bipartisan collaboration and agreement on the state’s operating budget remains elusive, that isn’t the case when it comes to the state’s capital budget. The budget we passed this year is one all lawmakers can be proud of, as it builds on the critical investments we made last year in schools, mental and behavioral health, water, sewer and broadband infrastructure, affordable housing, our environment, and more. Locally, we were able to secure additional funding for important projects that will result in stronger infrastructure, a cleaner environment, and safer communities. We’re excited about these much-needed investments in our district and look forward to seeing construction get underway.”
The capital budget was approved 49-0 in the Senate and 98-0 in the House. It is currently on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.
The 2022 supplemental transportation budget approved by the Legislature this session will provide $11.6 billion for the 2021-23 transportation budget. Funds are allocated for the maintenance and preservation of current transportation systems, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Washington State Ferry system, the Washington State Patrol, and other state transportation agencies.
In both budgets, MacEwen and Griffey retained funding for all existing Connecting Washington transportation projects in the 35th District. The lawmakers also worked to ensure several items, including those listed below, were incorporated into the budget. For a complete list of projects, click here.
$12 million for the Highway 3 Freight Corridor, also known as the Belfair Bypass.
$2.6 million for US 101/Lynch Road intersection improvements.
$2.54 million in funding for Mason Transit Park and Ride development.
$2.3 million in additional funding for the future Silverdale Transit Center.
$650,000 for Wallace Kneeland Boulevard and Shelton Springs Road intersection improvements.
For years, MacEwen has pushed for a change in how the transportation budget is funded, calling on lawmakers to forego tax increases and shift funding from the abundance in the general fund to pay for transportation projects. This concept appeared in multiple pieces of transportation policy this session, including the new Move Ahead Washington transportation plan that contains more than $2 billion in general fund transfers.
For his part, Griffey championed two bipartisan bills this session that were included in the supplemental transportation budget. One directs WSDOT to ensure rest areas are open for the use of the traveling public, while the other directs WSDOT to install informational posters in rest areas that provide an opportunity for trafficked victims to memorize a phone number and get help.
In addition, both lawmakers voted in favor of Senate Bill 5488, which will allocate more state funding for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge account. With this new infusion of funding, the Washington State Transportation Commission is expected to be able to reduce tolls on the bridge.
MacEwen and Griffey released the following statement on the 2022 supplemental transportation budget:
“After last year’s big hit to the transportation budget as a result of the pandemic, we came into session this year with much higher hopes for the future of transportation in Washington. The supplemental budget the Legislature approved will help fund critical projects throughout the state, including many here in the 35th District.
“Taking care of our growing transportation needs remains one of our top priorities. We are backing up the promises we have made to our constituents by ensuring work on State Route 3 and on other projects continues without interruption. These improvements are vital to the progress of our district.”
The 2022 supplemental transportation budget was approved 45-4 in the Senate and 93-5 in the House. It, too, is on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.
During today’s media availability, Rep. Drew MacEwen was asked why House Democrats stopped debate on Senate Bill 5909 (emergency powers) after 20 minutes on Friday.
“Apparently they didn’t really want to have a debate about it,” MacEwen says.
This year’s 60-day legislative session will be coming to a close one week from today. While we’ve done some good things this session, it also feels like we’ve missed some big opportunities. For example, despite our state’s $14+ billion budget surplus, the supplemental operating budget we passed on Saturday doesn’t provide any meaningful tax relief for you and your family. House Republicans introduced a budget amendment that would have permanently cut the state sales tax by a half-point, but it was rejected. In my remarks on the amendment, I reminded my colleagues that the budget surplus we have is because of you, not us. It’s your money, and we should have taken the opportunity to give some of it back to you through a tax cut.
https://youtu.be/lHCDyRpRHSE
During the budget debate, I introduced two amendments of my own. One would have significantly bolstered our state’s rainy-day fund. The other would have allocated $100 million in unspent stimulus funds to fund the police through:
$5,000 signing and retention bonuses.
$90,000 grants to local law enforcement agencies for body camera costs.
Funding for 10 additional Basic Law Enforcement Academy classes in each fiscal year, for a total of 25 classes per year.
$150,000 for a study and recommendations on police officer recruitment and retention efforts, police staffing levels and how those compare to recommended levels, how much is spent on policing in Washington as compared to other states, and how to address police recruitment and retention over the long term.
At a time when crime is rising and our state ranks last in the nation in terms of the number of police officers per thousand people, we have to get serious about improving public safety. I was deeply disappointed this amendment was rejected because we have an obligation to ensure all communities in Washington are safe.
Below is a mashup of our speeches on the amendment:
On final passage, I expressed deep reservations about the fact that we are not putting ourselves in a good position to weather a serious economic downturn in the future. The budget we passed spends $65 billion in state funds, an increase of $6.2 billion (10.5%) over current 2021-23 spending, but only leaves a small four-year ending fund balance of $221 million. I believe that’s a mistake, and made that clear in my remarks on final passage:
https://youtu.be/Yfi9dFBGRZE
You can view a mashup of House Republican speeches on final passage here.
Washington must immediately divest from Russia
Like the rest of the world, I am appalled by the recent actions of the Russian government and Vladimir Putin. Invading Ukraine under false pretenses is an affront to human rights, attacks the principle of self-governance, and threatens the very existence of a free Ukraine. Yesterday, Rep. Drew Stokesbary and I introduced a bill that would require all state agencies in Washington to cancel their outstanding contracts with Russian companies. It would also require the State Investment Board to divest from its pension and other investments in Russian companies. It is critical we ensure Putin’s government does not profit from Washington taxpayers as it carries out an unprovoked and unjust war.
House Bill 2135 has been referred to the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee.
Contacting me
Please continue reaching out to me with your comments, questions and concerns. My email address is Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov, and my phone number is (360) 786-7902.
Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, talks with Jeff Slakey about budgets being adopted by the Legislature and expresses disappointment the majority declined to provide meaningful tax to Washingtonians despite a $15 billion budget surplus.
House Republican Reps. Drew Stokesbary and Drew MacEwen have introduced a bill that would require all state agencies in Washington to cancel their outstanding contracts with Russian companies, and require the State Investment Board to divest from its pension and other investments in Russian companies.
“At a time when much of the conversation about state government revolves around what divides us, this bill provides an opportunity for us to come together in support of the Ukrainian people as they fight back against a brutal autocrat,” said Stokesbary, R-Auburn. “When we write a budget or manage pension funds, Washingtonians are trusting us with their hard-earned money. Keeping this trust requires managing that money in a way that aligns with our shared values. Washington stands firmly in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and strongly condemns Russia’s military actions against Ukraine. Thus, we must step up and declare that we will not do business with countries that show blatant disregard for the sovereignty of free people. The governor and the Legislature have an obligation to stand against tyranny and keep taxpayer dollars out of Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian regime.”
“Like the rest of the world, I am appalled by the actions of the Russian government and Vladimir Putin,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “Invading Ukraine under false pretenses is an affront to human rights, attacks the principle of self-governance, and threatens the very existence of a free Ukraine. Washington state must immediately divest from Russia to the greatest extent possible. While we work to ensure Putin’s government does not profit from Washington taxpayers, I encourage all Washingtonians to join me in praying for a peaceful resolution to this unprovoked and unjust war—a resolution that restores Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.”
The 2022 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn March 10.
