Local Reps Ready to Talk $

By Molly Kelleher

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Summary

The new legislative session starts next week. Democrats are talking tax hikes to fix a budget hole in Washington. Our local GOP lawmakers are ready for a fight.

Story Published: Jan 6, 2010 at 11:46 PM PST

TRI-CITIES - For the first time in decades, only Republican lawmakers will represent our region in Olympia.

This legislative session is described as the "battle over the budget". And next week lawmakers arrive in the state capitol to talk money. Washington state is $2 billion in the hole.

"No new taxes," that's the message from all three Tri-Cities lawmakers.

"We can't raise taxes, especially now."
"I believe there are no taxes that solve the problem. I would like us to look at privatizing liquor stores or unemployment and L&I.

Larry Haler even promised me that he won't vote for any tax increase. But what about other issues?

I asked, "what are your top three priorities for your constituents?"

Brad Klippert responded, "I was just at the Tacoma Dome for another slain officer yesterday so public safety is my top priority."

Jerome Delvin told me, "my number one priority is getting more tax incentives for businesses. Public safety is my number one priority."

Larry Haler said, "Energy. And the Governor just signed a letter to get an energy park in the Hanford site.

As for the rest of the list, Haler is also on many education-related committees so that's his focus. Klippert is also taking interest in funding education and keeping those kind of programs off the chopping block
Senator Delvin -- xxx

Priorities are one thing, results are another.

I asked, "can you promise one specific thing?" xx responded, "I don't know in this environment I can promise anything. I don't know how this will play out."

In a side note, the reason we have all Republicans now headed to Olympia from our area is because Terry Nealey won the seat once held by Democrat Laura Grant and before that, her father. The first day of the legislative session is January 11, 2010.