Every other year I send a survey to voters in my district. Through the responses, I learn what's important to many of my constituents, which helps me shape my priorities.
Earlier this year, I asked voters about a number of issues, some of which are highlighted below.
A rating system of 1 to 5 was used, with 1 being "should be funded or has the highest priority" and 5 being "should not be funded or has the lowest priority." The percentages shared here are the total of 1s and 2s.
BUDGET
In the area of the budget, respondents felt most strongly about supporting community-based mental health and chemical-dependency services, with 65 percent showing agreement.
The creation of a constitutional rainy-day fund, as contained in the proposed Senate budget, was supported by 61 percent, with 58 percent urging financing for affordable housing.
In last place, with 20 percent, was providing tax cuts to businesses.
EDUCATION
Education issues, ranging from early learning through higher education, have been among the highest of priorities for the Legislature. Improving math and science curriculum, with 80 percent, ranked highest among respondents.
Adding high-demand enrollments, such as math, science, engineering and nursing, in our public colleges and universities came in second, with 75 percent. Raising teacher salaries was also important, with 72 percent indicating agreement.
Also receiving significant support and in near dead-heats were addressing K-12 funding inequities (66 percent), reducing class size (66 percent) and creating college grants for low-income adults (65 percent).
Receiving the least support were increasing research capacity in health sciences at the University of Washington and Washington State University (44 percent), boosting pay for college faculty (43 percent) and creating a new transportation funding formula for school districts (31 percent).
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation issues have been of enormous concern to 36th District residents. The surface/tunnel hybrid option for the Alaskan Way Viaduct was endorsed by 35 percent, with the elevated structure rating 59 percent.
The state Route 520 Bridge was supported by 58 percent.
HEALTH CARE
We started this session with the goal of reforming our health-care system. Adding low-income kids to the Children's Health Program drew approval from 77 percent, followed by 75 percent favoring the addition of residents to the Basic Health Plan and 72 percent in favor of providing Medicare Plan D drug co-pays for low-income seniors.
Also with respect to health care, I asked voters to weigh in on some of the bills I've sponsored. My bill to require pharmaceutical companies to disclose gifts to physicians was supported by 80 percent (the bill didn't make it this session).
Improving support and training for long-term care workers gathered 73 percent. Providing paid family leave was supported by 68 percent (passed the Senate), followed by clarifying what constitutes a legal supply of medical marijuana at 65 percent (passed the Senate, amended by House) and providing an affirmative defense for those prosecuted for using marijuana for medical purposes at 62 percent.
ENVIRONMENT
Protecting our environment and combating global warming have been top aims of Senate Democrats. Last year, we made impressive gains in restoring Puget Sound. Yet, there is concern that much work remains to be done.
Cleaning up toxic sites was supported by 85 percent - the largest endorsement among any of the survey questions. Phasing out PBDEs, or toxic flame retardants, garnered 74 percent (passed the Legislature), closely followed by protecting wetland habitats, with 73 percent, and restoring damaged shorelines, with 68 percent.
My bill to reduce climate-change impacts by providing state tax credits for businesses cutting carbon-dioxide emissions was supported by 76 percent (part of another bill that's passed the Senate).
PUBLIC SAFETY, EQUALITY
With the explosion of personal communication technology we have seen an increase in cyberbullying. My bill to require school districts to address this concern in their anti-bullying and harassment policies was supported by 61 percent (passed the Senate, amended by the House).
I introduced a number of measures on the topics of public safety and consumer protection. Most popular among respondents were:
❚ Requiring background checks for those purchasing firearms at gun shows, with 86 percent approving (died in Senate Rules Committee);
❚ Prohibiting the use of auto-dialing systems ("robo calls") between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., with 82 agreeing (died in the Rules Committee); and
❚ Strengthening background checks to ensure the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults, with 80 percent supporting (passed the Senate, amended by the House).
Also popular were setting up a "do not mail" registry for in-state and out-of-state junk mail (died in Rules), with 76 percent supporting, and strengthening safety standards and requirements for cranes and crane operators, with 49 agreeing (passed Legislature).
On the issue of equality, 69 percent supported establishing domestic partnerships (passed the Senate) and 63 percent supported establishing marriage equality for same-sex couples.
CLOSING IN ON ADJOURNMENT
With one-and-a-half weeks to go, the Legislature will sprint to adjournment on or before April 22.
I'm pleased to report that in addition to some of the bills mentioned above, a number of my other bills are moving along, including measures to:
❚ Protect kids in child care (passed Senate, amended by the House);
❚ Create a new crime of commercial sexual abuse of a minor (passed Senate, amended by the House);
❚ Form a work group to recommend how state agencies can share information on keeping vulnerable citizens safe (passed Senate, amended by House);
❚ Remove obstacles facing caterers and others serving beer, wine and alcoholic beverages (passed Legislature);
❚ Give small businesses a break on unemployment insurance rates (passed Legislature); and
❚ Better fund injured-worker vocational rehabilitation training programs (passed Legislature).
I'll report later on what's included of note for the 36th District in the final operating, capital and transportation budgets that are passed. It's been a very productive session, and I look forward to a strong finish.
Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles is chair of the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee. She also serves on the Senate Health & Long-Term Care, Rules, and Ways & Means committees. She represents parts of Fremont and Phinney Ridge.
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