House and Senate Democrats told AWB members today they understand
the fragile nature of Washington's economy. Finding solutions, though,
is also a delicate process.
Speaking at today's Lobby Lunch, Sens. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, and Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, all underscored the importance of jobs, innovation and streamlining state government.
"I've been asked, particularly by a lot of my constituents, what I see the path forward is," said Kilmer, "and my comment has pretty much always been the same. One, I think we have to be conscious of the economic climate we are in and make sure that we're not doing things that are going to slow down our recovery. And two, the challenges that we face are not short term in nature.
"This is not a one-year budget challenge, and the way we're going to get out of this mess over the long haul is one job at a time. I would much rather see us grow jobs than grow taxes over the long haul, and I think that's why a lot of the things that we're going to be talking about are important," he said.
Sixty-five percent of new job growth comes from small businesses, Kilmer added.
In his non-legislative time, Kilmer serves as vice president of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County. Today, he emphasized two small business B&O tax credit bills (the governor's request bill and last year's SB 5899) as examples of ways his caucus is trying to help smaller employers.
Jim Kastama echoed Kilmer's call for more jobs and pushed for innovation as the catalyst for broader economic development in our state. Kastama said his goal is to make Washington the most innovative state in the region by 2020 -- and that includes the public sector.
"Government also has to be innovative. Somehow, we have to start trying to get more out of government with the same money or less," he said. "Innovation has to be a key thing that we pay attention to if we want to be in the game in the future."
UPDATE: Video of the speakers' remarks after the jump
Kessler,in closing today's lunch, jokingly acknowledged this session was not "one of the joyful points" in her 18-year tenure in the Legislature and reaffirmed that everyone must share in solutions to the state's budget dilemma. She pointed to passage of the "early savings bill, HB 2921, making about $50 million in cuts, as evidence of an initial start on the uphill battle lawmakers will face this session. The House Majority leader also reiterated support for three efficiency proposals brought forward by House Appropriations Chair Kelli Linville -- namely privatizing liquor stores, state printing and IT services.
"We should be getting out of the businesses that private industry can do as well or better and do what we do as well or better for the people of the state," she said.
Kessler also shared one bit of breaking news on the workers' comp front, in that she and a handful of other legislators would be meeting today with Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, on House Bill 2950 and will request that House Commerce and Labor Committee Chair Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, "at least give it a hearing." Conway recently told Public Radio Correspondent Austin Jenkins he won't take up the bill in this, a short session.
Next week, AWB's Lobby Lunch guests include Sens. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield and Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis.
Jan. 28, 2010: House and Senate Democrats at AWB's Lobby Lunch from Dan Brunell on Vimeo.
