Rep. Norma Smith e-mail update

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am writing to you from Olympia, where the state Legislature started its 2014 session last week.

It is a great honor to serve you in the state House. I look forward to working on issues important to all of us in the beautiful 10th Legislative District.

Keeping the focus on jobs

We have a significant opportunity this session to act on the excellent work recently published by the state auditor to help our job creators. I’ve taken the recommendations of the study on permit timeliness and drafted legislation (HB 2192) that will improve customer service by our agencies. The goals include improved transparency, early assistance, greater predictability and a clear path forward to improve the timely turnaround of permits.

The uncertainty that is created by a lack of assistance and the inability to predict how long a permit process will take is unacceptable. The extraordinary costs, both in dollars and effort, should be used instead to create jobs and spur innovation. State agencies can and must improve this critical service for the businesses of our state. I am pleased HB 2192 will receive a public hearing on Jan. 31. If you have a story you’d like to share about this important issue, I would be delighted if you would come to Olympia to testify. Please let me know – your stories can make a difference. You can read more about the legislation here.

Derelict vessels

Derelict and abandoned vessels in our waterways have become a critical problem requiring legislative action. You may remember last year I worked with Rep. Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island) on a bill to strengthen the state’s Derelict Vessel Removal Program. This year, Rep. Hansen and I have again teamed up on legislation, which is the result of a work group working weekly throughout the interim to tackle this tough issue.

HB 2457, which is scheduled for a public hearing on Jan. 28, will increase accountability for buyers and sellers of high-risk vessels, help fund and accelerate the removal of derelict vessels, and begin to stem the tide of large vessels reaching the crisis stage threatening our waterways and taxpayer resources.

Listen to my podcast/ Watch my video update

During the session I periodically record a radio podcast and video update to keep 10th District residents apprised of what’s happening in the Legislature. You can listen to my podcast here, and watch my video update here.

Please stay in touch

As always, I value your input tremendously. Would you please inform your neighbors, who may not receive my updates, that they must contact my office to be put on the email list? It’s important we help as many as possible engage in the important work of public policy. Please don’t hesitate to contact me – I welcome your ideas for how we can change state government for the better. All of my contact information is at the bottom of this e-mail update. Thank you!

Warm Regards,