Kilmer, Lantz and Seaquist host successful town hall

February 28, 2008

PORT ORCHARD – About 30 people attended a legislative town hall Saturday, putting off plans to enjoy the warm, sunny day outdoors.  The 26^th District meeting focused on transportation, jobs and public safety issues being discussed in the current session in Olympia.

Reps. Pat Lantz, Larry Seaquist and Sen. Derek Kilmer, all D-Gig Harbor, split the time between discussing bills they’re working on and taking questions from those attending.

Kilmer talked about the economy and veterans issues.

“We’ve got a lot of opportunities to help small businesses and keep our economy moving,” said Kilmer, vice chair of the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Management committee.  “In and out of Olympia, I’m working to bring good jobs to the district.”

“It’s also important we work to help out veterans and military families.  To me, if you serve our country, we should have your back.”

Lantz, chair of the Judiciary Committee, spoke about the many issues coming through her committee, including drunken driving.

“This session we’re working to toughen up our drunken driving laws, but also get smart about saving lives,” Lantz said.  “When a person drives drunk, we shouldn’t only punish them, we need to find a way to make sure they don’t repeat their violation.  Installing ignition interlock devices in their cars will reduce traffic deaths by over 20 percent.”

Ignition interlock devices detect alcohol in the driver and prevent the car from starting if the person driving is impaired.  Lantz also talked about her bill to make schools safer by adding weapons to the list of items prohibited on school property.

“Whether they’re bringing weapons to start a fight, or to defend themselves, we need to put a stop to it,” Lantz said.  “We have children filing down screwdrivers to make stabbing weapons. This isn’t okay. We need assessment teams to determine the cause of the violent behavior, allowing for the appropriate response - either punishment or strategic intervention.”

Transportation, including the Washington State Ferries, and health care were areas addressed in Seaquist’s remarks.

“This session I’ve worked to cut the Narrows Bridge and ferry system’s management budgets—and this is only the start,” Seaquist said.  “With ferries, we’re going to take $5 million from management and put it into capital.  The Narrows Bridge will face more than 3 million in cuts to personnel which toll payers won’t need to pay.”

“I think most agree that our health care system is in trouble, but it’s more than that.  Health care is our state’s real economic crisis and it’s threatening to bankrupt more than those falling gravely ill.”

The town hall ran for about two hours, spending over half the time taking questions from area-residents.  Some of the issues asked about included education funding, domestic partnerships, local highway funding, and several other topics.

This year’s session in Olympia is scheduled to wrap up March 13.