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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
There is a little over two weeks of the regular legislative session left. Both the House and Senate have passed operating budget proposals. The House Democrats proposal spends approximately $39 billion, and includes $1.5 billion in new taxes and tax increases this year alone. Next year the total amount of new and increased taxes would total $2.4 billion. They want to increase spending by 15 percent over the last biennium. Their tax plan includes a 5 percent capital gains tax, and an increase of the B&O tax on certain service businesses. The House Democrats' budget did pass on a 51-47 party-line vote. All Republicans voted “no.”
House Democrats' proposal
- $39 billion total spending
- $1.5 billion in new and increased taxes
- Freezes tuition for higher education
- $1.4 billion for education spending to meet basic education requirements
- Includes cost-of-living adjustments for state and school employees
Senate Republicans' proposal
- $38 billion total spending
- No new tax increases
- Cuts tuition costs for higher education
- $1.3 billion for education spending to meet basic education requirements
- Includes cost-of-living adjustments for state and school employees
The tuition reduction of 25 percent in the Senate budget would help families and students in our state. 
I believe in making decisions that live within our means and are fiscally responsible. The Senate budget is not perfect, but is closer to achieving those goals than the House majority party budget.
Now that both chambers have passed an operating budget proposal, we can expect negotiators to be sitting down the final couple weeks and working out an agreed-upon plan. If you want to review the budgets or more documents on the budget you can click:
House operating budget proposal, or
Senate operating budget proposal.
Prime-sponsored legislation
One Vet, One Business – House Bill 2040, that would increase veteran employment in Washington state, passed the Senate unanimously and is headed to the governor's desk for his signature. This is a momentous first bill that I am honored to pass and see become law. Veterans from the area will be joining me for the signing.
Cracking down on voyeurism crimes – House Bill 2042, this legislation will add a new second degree crime to the act of voyeurism. This bill is in the House Rules Committee and is expected to come before the House floor for a vote.
Erin's Law Task Force – House Bill 2183, I have been working on Erin's Law legislation, which relates to public schools implementing a prevention-oriented child sex-abuse program. This bill has passed in over 20 states and is pending in 22, including in Washington since I dropped my bill on Feb. 27. For more information on this issue click Erin's Law. We are working to include this legislation as part of the final operating budget.
Internet Tax Freedom Act – House Bill 2166 has turned out to be more than just a simple measure to prevent our internet from being taxed. There are a great deal of politics being played at the federal level on this issue. Some state and federal elected officials, businesses and local government want the ability to tax internet “sales,” not only the “use or access to.” The Internet Tax Freedom Act outcome at the Congressional level partially determines the fate of my legislation. I am attempting to move this legislation forward as a safeguard for Washington state, in case the ban is lifted at the federal level.
Staying connected
While my email update will share what I am working on in Olympia, you can also listen to this week's Capitol Report with Rep. Gina McCabe. All my Capitol Report broadcasts are available here.
You can also watch my latest video update: Rep. McCabe's March 30, Video Update, or review the rest of them by clicking here.
Also, please remember I am available for meetings, speaking engagements and events. I am honored to be the keynote speaker at the Perry Technical Institute graduation ceremony in September. I enjoyed attending the Klickitat County Cattlemen's Banquet in White Salmon on March 22. This weekend I will be attending the Klickitat County Lincoln Day dinner.
Beef Day 
Thursday was Beef Day in Olympia. This annual event is put on by the Washington Cattlemen's Associations, the Washington Cattle Feeders Association and the Washington State Dairy Federation. While we get to enjoy the great beef they BBQ for elected officials and staff on campus, it is a great time for us to remember the farmers, ranchers, orchardists and producers – who do so much to feed our state, nation and the rest of the world.
Please let me know if you have any comments, questions or concerns about the legislative session, state government in general or need to schedule a meeting.
It is an honor to serve the people of the 14th District.
Honored to serve you,
Gina Mosbrucker
