In this week where we put our focus on giving thanks, I know we all offer thoughts and prayers for our troops and their families. We wish them safe travels as they go about the business of keeping us safe – for which we are grateful. Additionally, the holiday season reminds us that time with family and friends is bigger than a table filled with food or a present under the tree. It’s about sharing with those less fortunate, checking on our neighbors when the cold weather sets in this time of year and inviting those closest to us to share a meal and create good memories.

As I reflect on my first year serving the people of the 35th District, it is amazing how much both sides of the aisle have in common. Much is made of disagreements between political parties, but 99 percent of the time we vote in bipartisan unison on measures that make a difference for our constituents. I recognize we have serious issues in this state, the nation and the world. However, the holiday season is a good time to reflect on the fact that while lawmakers may have different ideas on how to solve issues impacting our communities, it is up to each of us to show grace and compassion for one another and find common ground so we enact the best solutions for all Washingtonians and their families.

Regardless of where each of us stands politically, we can all agree that we live in the greatest country in the world and at the end of the day we can drop to our knees and thank God for the abundance of blessings, large and small, each of us have in our lives.

It’s an honor and a privilege to serve you. From my family to yours, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

This first year serving as your state citizen legislator has passed by incredibly fast. As I travel the 35th District meeting with groups and constituents, I am reminded what a privilege it is to have earned your trust.

It has been busy – working in my small business, meeting with constituents, finding time for family and enjoying this beautiful part of the state. But, fall is here now and that means annual legislative committee days and a fast-approaching 2014 legislative session. The dates and details are below.

I hope you find this brief update informative and I do hope you find some time to share your thoughts with me, ask me questions or simply meet with me to discuss how together we can make it morning again in Washington and the nation.

Jobs and the economy

To be better at something, we must always ask ourselves: What can I do better? I believe the Legislature and governor must ask that question as it relates to retaining and attracting good jobs for our state.

I was recently appointed to the governor’s 777X Legislative Task Force. This group is looking at some of the challenges we face in growing and protecting good-paying jobs and what other states are doing to get their residents back to work. Nothing is more important than shoring up our economy for those looking for work and for our children’s future.

Watch my brief video on this task force and some of the solutions to consider as we work to improve the state’s business climate and lower the unemployment rate. It is located at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzMGvogVwLw.

Do you have a solution to improving the state’s business competitiveness? E-mail me your stories and ideas at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov.

Legislative committee days Nov. 21 and 22, possible special session for transportation tax package

Each fall, the Legislature gathers for committee days to hold hearing and consider ideas that may come forward in the regular legislative session. This year, the governor has said he may call a special session of the Legislature to pass a transportation tax package.

While I believe we should be open to dialogue on this issue, we are still waiting for a study being worked on that will tell lawmakers why our transportation projects consistently come in more expensive than similar projects in other states. Without answers that allow us to craft solutions to ensure our gas tax dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, we should not raise taxes.

What do you think about increasing gas taxes and other fees to fund new and existing transportation projects? Take my brief survey and share your views at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/macewentranspoq.

Preparing for 2014 legislative session – share your ideas!

The 2014 legislative session begins January 13 and will last 60 consecutive days, including weekends and holidays, and will adjourn March 13. This short window of time to enact good policies that benefit taxpayers and our economy makes it even more critical for you to send me your ideas today.

The best way I can serve you is by listening. We all know the best ideas are nonpartisan and don’t come from government; they come from you! Share your solutions with me so we can begin working on meaningful legislation that makes Washington a better state to live, work and raise a family.

My e-mail address is Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov and my district office number in Shelton is (360) 868-2189. My legislative aide, Kevin Shutty, staffs the office during regular business hours.

Student Page Program

Do you have a child age 14 to 16 that would like to spend a week paging for the state House of Representatives in the Student Page Program? Be sure to get your forms in early – with the short session, spots fill up fast!

You can find the details and information on what it means to be a page and how your child can apply to participate at this website: https://www.leg.wa.gov/PageSchool/Pages/default.aspx.

As we prepare to send our kids back to school, I wanted to send you a quick update about what I have been doing during the interim. I’ve been lucky to spend some time with my sons visiting historical places around our great nation, as well as spending time in the district meeting with people and attending special events. It has been a busy summer! I hope that you and your family have had an eventful, safe and fun summer as well.

Local events

Recently, I opened a local office in downtown Shelton where my staff and I will be working during the interim. On August 8, we held the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony with the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce. Not all legislators take the time and effort to invest in a district office, but I believe the best ideas do not come from politicians and lobbyists in Olympia – they come from our citizens. I hope my local office will give you even more opportunities to be a part of the law-making process.

Our office is located at 327 West Railroad Avenue, Shelton, Wash., 98584. Please stop in anytime you have questions, need help with state government or if you would just like to talk with me or my legislative assistant, Kevin Shutty. You can also call us at (360) 868-2189.

I’ve also been privileged to take part in two change-of-command ceremonies. One for the Naval Hospital in Bremerton and another for the Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bangor. I wish Captain Culp and Captain Baker the best in their new assignments and thank them for their many years of service. I am happy to welcome Captain Quarles and Captain Jones to their new commands, respectively, at the Bremerton Naval Hospital and the Bangor Intermediate Facility.

New committee assignment

I am honored to have been recently appointed to the Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs. Last week, I received word of my new appointment from House Speaker Frank Chopp. As a Navy veteran, I hope to bring my first-hand perspective to this committee as it makes critical recommendations which impact our military. I look forward to working on behalf of our service men and women.

The 16-member Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs was created in 2001 and studies issues regarding veterans, active military forces and the National Guard. Members are tasked with making recommendations to the Legislature. The committee also studies the structure and administration of the Washington State Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the military department.

Training institute

The Council of State Governments – West (CSG-West), which is a prestigious training institute for lawmakers in their first four years of service, recently informed me that I was chosen to participate in their Western Legislative Academy. I am one of 39 Western state legislators, from among the 114 applicants, chosen to take part this year.

The purpose of the Western Legislative Academy is to build excellence and effectiveness in state legislators. Admission to the Western Legislative Academy is very competitive and is based on commitment to public service, desire to improve personal legislative effectiveness and interest in improving the legislative process. I am excited for the chance to participate and to learn how to be even more effective as your legislator.

New community center

In closing, I would like to highlight the ground breaking of our new Mason County Transit and Community Center. As a member of the Capital Budget Committee, I worked hard to include funds for this project in the budget. The 35th District has received an investment that was overlooked in previous capital budgets and the community center will be a great benefit to local businesses and the citizens of Mason County. I fought for critical investments for our area to increase the quality of life for the people back home and I am proud of the results.

As you are probably aware, last week the legislature went into it’s second over-time. After 105 days, and then 30 more, we still had not found consensus on a budget. And, with nearly $2 billion in new tax revenue expected, there is no call for budget negotiations to have carried on so long. While the continuation is frustrating, we have achieved more in the last two weeks than most of the first special session.

On June 13, one day into the new session, we passed two bills that required extensive negotiations Senate Bill 5296 and House Bill 2075 also passed that day. Because of House Bill 2075, our state now has a tax that didn’t exist before 2005 but it will apply to trusts created as far back as the 1980s. This is unfair. I voted “no” on this bill. Yet, in an effort to find compromise on the budget, this bill did pass both houses and was signed by the governor.

The Budget

As the ranking republican on the House Capitol Budget Committee, I have spent a lot of time in Olympia during the special sessions discussing the Capital Budget. As most of you know, there is little that can be done on the final capital budget without knowing the parameters set by the operating budget. However, because of our recent progress I am more optimistic that the Legislature will continue to work effectively. Capital budget writers should be to find solutions and consensus soon after the operating budget is composed.

News from the State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council further increases our chances of reaching agreement on the budget soon. The council released their quarterly forecast June 18. It states there is at least $231 million more in tax revenue than previously expected that can be used in the operating budget.

With this forecast all the pieces are now in place for the Legislature to finally finish its work. Washington will have enough money to fund its growth and inflation, and still put millions toward education, without new taxes. There are no excuses now. Finding a consensus on the operating budget is not only doable, it’s what you – the citizens of Washington – deserve from your state government.

This is much stronger footing we’ve had in the past. The threat of impending taxation continues solely because of the D.C. politics of our new governor, his strategy of holding the budget hostage and scare tactics. There is no call for a “government shutdown” and the forecast confirms that.

In our district

Once the budget has been completed I will be spending more time in our district and meeting with residents in my new Shelton office. If you haven’t had the chance to stop by, feel free to pay us a visit. Both me, and my Legislative Assistant Kevin Shutty, will be happy to speak with you in person. The office is located at 327 W. Railroad St, Shelton.

I am looking forward to working along side you to make our communities stronger. Not all legislators take the time and effort to invest in a district office. However, I believe that the best ideas don’t come from politicians and lobbyists in Olympia – they come from the citizens. My office is a resource for you and I hope that a local office will give you more chances to be a part of the law making process.

Please stop in any time you have questions, need help with state government or if you would just like to talk with your state representative. Or, call the local office at (360) 868-2189. Our local office means we can meet with you even if you can’t make the trip to Olympia.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your voice in the state Legislature.

We are coming to the end of the first week of the 2013 special session. There has been little progress and the pace is a frustrating crawl. The regular, 105-day legislative session ended April 28 and due to the Legislature’s inability to agree on the state operating budget the governor called a special session. During the special session I’ll be sending you updates like this one to keep you informed. Please feel free to pass this e-mail along to others who may be interested. You can sign up for my e-mail updates by clicking here. And, learn more about my activities as your legislator by visiting my Web site.

Capital Budget meetings
The Legislature is currently in what is called “pro forma’” session; which means that although a special session has been called, we are not holding committee hearings or voting on bills. I’ve spent a lot of time back home in the 35th District meeting with constituents and working to continue to grow my investment company. As a member of leadership on the capital budget committee, I have also made several trips to Olympia to meet with other budget writers. On May 15, I met with the “four corners” – chief negotiators from both the House and the Senate – after our meeting I am hopeful that we will be able to find a consensus on the capital budget.

Budget talks
Although most of the Legislature is back in their districts, House and Senate budget writers are meeting in an attempt to find a consensus on the Operating Budget. There are vast differences in the House Democrat’s proposal, the governor’s plan and the Senate majority budgets. You can see in the graph to the right exactly how the budgets are different (for a larger version please click on the graph).

In short:

• The Senate budget is balanced and “lives within our means” of expected tax collections, which are up $2 billion, or 6.6 percent. Therefore, it creates no new or increased taxes while allocating more money to education and priorities like public safety.
• The House Democrat budget (which mirrors the governor’s plan) relies on $879 million in new and higher taxes to balance. These new taxes are in spite of the $2 billion more that is expected. This budget raises taxes on already struggling families, depletes the “rainy day fund” and makes no reforms to address out-of-control spending.

During the final days of the regular session I strongly opposed the final element of the House Democrat budget. This last piece was a bill that would end exemptions to the business and occupation (B&O) tax on many self-employed people, small employers and service businesses. Should another budget like this one come before us for a vote I will again vote ‘no’. I will continue to keep you updated on the progress we are making in Olympia on the budget and any new legislation that may arise.

Contact me
I’m pleased to tell you that I will be opening a district office in Shelton. If you would like to meet with me in person and cannot make the trip to Olympia feel free to stop by the office. The office is located at 327 W. Railroad St, Shelton. On June 1, I will be hosting an open-house from 9 a.m. to noon; please drop-in and have donuts, coffee and spend some time with me and my legislative team.

Please remember if there is any element of state government that I can help you with, my door is always open. Remember that I am your legislator year-round and I am here to be a resource for you. If you have any questions or comments, please call me at (360) 786-7902, or e-mail me at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your voice in Olympia.

As you have most likely heard we will be having a special session this year. Sine Die, the official end of session, was April 28 and the special session will start on May 13. Until then, I am happy to be back in the 35th District with friends and family. While I am home I will be holding a town hall. The event will take place on May 7, at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Bay Junior high in Shelton. I hope that you will come and participate. This is a great chance for me to hear from you about what is important to you.

The special session

This year the special session was called because the Legislature was not able to complete its work in 105 days. I am disappointed that this special session was necessary and I believe we could have done better. The budget should have been the focus for weeks prior to when negotiations first began.

The majority refused to find consensus or even consider passing a budget without raising taxes. This was not a fight that we could afford to let the Democrats win – even if it requires a special session.

House Democrats ignored repeated opposition to increasing taxes on small service business by $905 million. This element of their budget narrowly passed with a 50 to 47 vote as five Democrats sided with Republicans. When this part of their budget went to the Senate all negotiations stopped. However, I agree with my colleagues in the Senate who are unwilling to further tax our hardworking citizens.

Democrats claimed this money was required to fund the education legacy trust account. The tax would impact many self-employed people, small businesses and service businesses that are already struggling. Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree on the necessity of taxes to fund the budget. Like the rest of my party, I believe new taxes on struggling families are unacceptable. We can create a budget that funds a world-class education without new taxes.

In my most recent video update I talk about the need for the special session, please click on the image above to view it.

My Bill to prevent future special sessions

In order to help ensure that we don’t have more costly special sessions in the future, I have introduced House Bill 2062. This bill will direct the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council to submit its first projections on tax collections earlier. Currently, during long sessions like this year, March 20 is the deadline for the first projections. My bill would move the date to February 20. As lawmakers, we rely on that forecast to develop the budget.

We should be doing everything we can to help the Legislature complete its work on time. Every day of the special session costs roughly $18,000 and that is an unnecessary expense. In these difficult economic times we must act instead of wait. It’s the old adage ‘time is money’, and now it’s the taxpayer’s money. With the forecast released sooner, budget writers will have more time to craft a strong bipartisan budget without another costly special session.

Christmas tree bill

I am proud to tell you that House Bill 1209, which I sponsored, was signed into law April 25. The law extends a program that licenses state tree growers and protects their harvest. Without this program, if the state Christmas tree crop were to become infested, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) could quarantine an entire season of growth. The current law would have ended the program in 2014 and now it will go through 2020.

Statewide, the forest industry provides more than 100,000 jobs. It is clear this industry is vital to our economy and jobs. The forest industry is critical to our district and employs more than 3,000 people in Mason County alone. I am happy to have helped save our Christmas tree crop should an infestation ever become a problem.

Contact me

Although the session is temporarily over, if there is any element of state government that I can help you with, my door is always open. Remember that I am your legislator year-round and I am here to be a resource for you. If you have any questions or comments, please call me at (360) 786-7902, or e-mail me at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your voice in Olympia.

We are in the home stretch of the 105-day session which is scheduled to end on April 28. We have passed three deadlines so far: February 22, last day for bills to be passed out of policy committees; March 1, last day for bills to pass budget committees; and March 13, last day for bills to be passed off the House floor. We are now considering Senate bills in House committees. For a quick reminder of the process for passing a bill click here. Our next cut-off will be on April 3, at that time Senate bills must pass House policy committees in order to keep going through the process.

Due to the unique make-up of the Senate, and legislation that has died due to cut-off, there are not nearly as many bills to be heard. This has been a quiet week. However, we have been told that this is just the calm before the storm. We have yet to begin budget discussions and those are sure to be a battle. My fellow House Republicans and I will continue to fight to fund education first and get back to a priorities of government model of budgeting. In my recent video update I addressed the state of our economy and budget.

Budget and the Economy

It is time for our state to truly move forward and create jobs. Continuing to take more money from hardworking taxpayers rather than prioritizing our budget is unacceptable. Political insiders will say there is not enough revenue to sustain our current budget. They will use that statement to levy new taxes on struggling families. It is not the truth. We have a fragile, slowly growing economy however we are still predicted to have $2 billion in new revenue.

The Legislature is capable of passing a budget that only uses $2 billon MORE instead of imposing new taxes on citizens. House and Senate Democrats have already proposed more than $10 billion in new taxes and it’s time we say ‘enough is enough.’ Our state leadership should be following the example of former Gov. Gary Locke. In his 2002 address, Locke made this statement:

“We are convinced there is a better way. This year, we decided not to start with current spending to try to meet the forecasted revenue. Instead, we decided to look at how we should be spending our state’s money in the first place. We are looking at what matters most to Washington citizens. We are focusing on results that people want and need, prioritizing those results, and funding those results with the money we have.”

New Role

I’m proud to announce that I was chosen for a new leadership role that will help address our fiscal planning. I have been appointed the position of Assistant Ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee. This committee addresses and approves funding for the construction and repair of public buildings, land acquisitions, local government, infrastructure, housing and the authorization of state debt. I am excited to apply my years of expertise to our capital budget spending plan. I believe, as a state, we can live within our means, fund education and do so without severe cuts once we prioritize government spending.

Greenhouse Gasses

The one thing that has been a big debate this week is the passage of governor request legislation, Senate Bill 5802, which would create new limits on greenhouse gas emissions. House Democrats made the argument that we have incentivized fossil fuels more than clean energy as a reason for passing this bill. That is not true. Over the past 5 years there has been $14 billion in federal fossil fuels subsidies, but in 2010 alone $44 billion went to alternatives. I believe we should support alternatives, however not at the expense of favoritism to certain industries and poor investments. You can watch my brief speech here or view the entire debate on the floor here. If there is any element of state government that I can help you with, my door is always open. I am here to be a resource for you. If you have any questions or comments, please call me at (360) 786-7902, or e-mail me at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your voice in Olympia.

We are now on day 39 of the scheduled 105-day session. To date, nearly one thousand bills have been introduced in just over a month. All of the bills in policy committees have until tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 22, to be voted out. The pace is very fast and my days are filled with hearings, voting and meetings with groups and constituents. We also took our first votes on the House floor this week. I am happy to say that my bill to help our forestry industry, House Bill 1209, is scheduled for a floor vote tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 22.

So far only a handful of bills have been voted off the House floor and moved to the Senate. The bills we have passed are not controversial and had strong bipartisan support. This pattern is likely to continue for the remainder of the week with the exception of a few bills.

Universal Background Checks

One bill that is moving through the process is regarding universal background checks for firearms purchases. I have heard about this bill from many constituents and I appreciate your feedback. Rest assured I will vote “no” on this legislation.

House Bill 1588 mandates universal background checks for gun sales – even private sales. I believe Washington state already has strong gun laws. Criminals continue to break them and use guns for violence. However, guns are tools, not the cause. This bill does not address the root causes of gun violence – including mental health, gangs and economic despair. Additionally, this bill would be hard to enforce and unnecessarily burdensome on law-abiding citizens.

While this bill passed out of Judiciary Committee Tuesday, I believe that our solutions must consider the rights of the people first and foremost. If this bill comes to the floor for a vote, I will oppose it; in the meantime I will continue to actively support your rights.

Transportation

At the start of this session, funding for the Belfair Bypass was a goal of mine. For too long we have had to deal with congestion that is easily fixable if the state would make it a priority. It is a key aspect of our community growth and one that impacts the quality of life in our district. However, yesterday the Democrat transportation budget was released. It has greatly reduced my belief that construction of the bypass is achievable this year. The budget proposed confirms the concerns of the people in our communities are not the priority of the majority party. You can see their project breakdown here.

This budget proposed a new 10-cent gas tax, which would unfairly burden people like us – people who live in rural communities. A large percentage of the citizens of the 35th District commute to work. Industry and businesses are so regulated that most people have no choice but to drive far distances for a job. Hardworking taxpayers should not be penalized for commutes created by previous mistakes of government.

While 10 cents might not sound like much, it would effectively make our gas tax the highest in the nation. When you add federal taxation to this proposed increase, Washington drivers will pay 66 cents for every gallon at the pump. I cannot support a transportation budget that unfairly burdens hardworking taxpayers. They cannot handle sending anymore money to Olympia or Washington, D.C. We can’t ask more from struggling families and employers without the assurance that help is on the way.

Additionally, our communities have already paid for failed projects and construction that only benefits citizens of urban areas. The last state gas tax increase built an off-ramp in the wrong place, a faulty ferry and flawed pontoons for the 520 Bridge replacement. The money we have spent on projects in Seattle could have paid for the Belfair Bypass many times over.

Before we even consider a new tax, of any kind, reforms are needed. And, not just transportation reforms, but an overhaul of the budget process that addresses out of control spending. House Republicans will talk more about reforms next week. I hope that, with the Senate as an example, Democrats will be willing to compromise for the betterment of all our communities – rural and urban.

Pages

I was proud to sponsor my son, Christian and high school sophomore, Alycia Gerou, as a pages from Feb. 10 through Feb. 15. Christian is 14 and Alycia is 15. I felt that both kids were great examples of the bright kids and potential leaders from our district. During their week at the State Capitol they were an asset to me and the entire legislature.Seeing Christian serving as a page reminds me of why my involvement in public service is so important. I encourage you to have your children participate in the House page program.

Students must apply to participate in the legislative page program, must have a legislative sponsor, be between the ages of 14 and 16, and obtain written permission from their parents and school. For more information about the program,  you can visit: https://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx.

If there is any element of state government that I can help you with, my door is always open. I am here to be a resource for you. If you have any questions or comments, please call me at (360) 786-7902, or e-mail me at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your voice in Olympia.

When I am in Olympia, you – the people back home – are at the forefront of my mind. I am honored to be your voice in the Legislature. Thank you for this opportunity.

We are now on day 24 of the scheduled 105-day session. Action is ramping up and more than 700 bills have been introduced in just three short weeks. In order to keep you informed I will be sending out e-mail updates, like this one, to let you know what I am doing on your behalf. These e-mails will also include highlights of what is happening at the Capitol and insight on pending legislation.

Please pass along this e-mail to others you think would be interested; they can sign up by clicking here. I also encourage you to watch my short video updates. You will be able to view these videos on our local television stations, the House Republicans YouTube channel and my new website at houserepublicans.wa.gov/macewen.

(You can view my latest floor speech and most recent video update by clicking on the image at the right).

 New rules for the people
Four days ago, the House of Representatives adopted the permanent House Rules for how the body will operate for the next two years. It is standard protocol and is usually done quickly and quietly.
However, this year, House Republicans offered four amendments to those rules. Our goal was to show the majority that we are here to fight for the people, not just continue with business as usual.  One of the rules we tried to amend would fund education first by changing House Rule 12.

It was a privilege for me to address my fellow legislators on the House floor about the importance of supporting quality education. It is our children who are impacted when the Legislature does not live up to its paramount duty. The graduation rate in my children’s school district is 63 percent compared to the state average of 79 percent. And fifty-four of the children in my sons’ district are considered low-income. These numbers are not acceptable. The path out of poverty is through a quality education. It is time that the legislature prioritize funding education instead of holding it hostage to other political needs.

Unfortunately, at the end of our fight only one of the rules was adopted. However, Republicans did have their voice heard – and thereby your voice was heard. The other rules we proposed would have:

• Placed the 2/3’s requirement to raise taxes – which the voters passed with more than 64 percent of the vote statewide – into statute. The rule failed on a party-line vote; nobody in the majority voted to uphold the will of the people.
• Ensured that each legislator received a public hearing on at least one of their bills. Each legislator represents a district of approximately 137,000 people. The majority party did not support your legislator having at least one opportunity to represent you.
• Prioritized citizen testimony in committees.

We asked for those who take the time to travel to Olympia be given priority over lobbyists and Olympia insiders. Thankfully, the majority listened to our common-sense approach and chose to uphold this rule. We fought for you and now you will be heard.

Legislation to support forestry and agriculture
I believe it is important to be judicious in the legislation I sponsor. Big government does not benefit state citizens. Therefore, I have chosen to prime-sponsor only one bill so far this session. However, I have also co-sponsored some important legislation. Key among these bills are three that I am sponsoring to aid forestry and agriculture.

In Mason County alone, 3,897 people are employed by the forestry industry. Statewide the impact of this industry is huge as it provides more than 118,000 jobs and $5.3 billion in wages. One of my bills would extend a program that licenses state tree growers. Without this program, if the state Christmas tree crop were to become infested, with gypsy moth or another disease, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) could quarantine the entire harvest. Basically an entire season could be lost by USDA regulation. Since 75 percent of our trees are exported, there could be a lot of unhappy people nationwide in December. My other forestry bill would allow more flexibility in the purchase of timber.

My bill that will help our agriculture industry would create a program to return underused agricultural land back into a state of production by fostering connections among landowners, potential growers, and purchasers. Two of my bills are scheduled for a vote in committee on Thursday, February 7. Supporting our forestry industry has a huge impact on our economy. Anything we as legislators can do to bolster our state’s economy and get Washington working is imperative.

I will continue to work on these issues and many more. If there is any element of state government that I can help you with, my door is always open. I am here to be a resource for you. If you have any questions or comments, please call me at (360) 786-7902, or e-mail me at Drew.MacEwen@leg.wa.gov.

• Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your voice in Olympia.