Legislature begins 60-day session

The Washington state legislature began its 60-day 2020 legislative session Monday.

Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) is the new speaker of the house, Washington's first female speaker.

Rep. Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) resigned last summer after serving as speaker for 17 years, the longest stretch in state history.

Proposals by Governor Jay Inslee include a $300 million plan to counter homelessness, a ban on the sale of assault weapons in Washington and high-capacity ammunition magazines, and further climate-related legislation.

Local representatives Joe Schmick (R-Colfax) and Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) stated intentions for this session in a mailer, to help homeless people to “get clean, get treatment and get shelter. We must stop enabling destructive behavior. We also need to enforce existing laws and support law enforcement.”

Schmick and Dye also noted they will oppose any income tax legislation, carbon tax or miles traveled tax. They call for lowering the cost of home ownership by reducing regulations. Also, for it to be easier to start a business in Washington, and to cut the costs of child care.

Inslee's homelessness plan could use $300 million from state emergency funds to fund construction for 2,100 homeless shelter beds statewide. Also, the plan could give rental and housing assistance to another 3,000 people.

Inslee's climate policy supports proposed legislation to cut statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent over 1990 levels by 2040. The further aim would be a net zero 10 years later.