Rep. Ross Hunter

OLYMPIA – The House is moving forward Wednesday with a short list of bills that will be necessary to implement (NTIB) the supplemental operating budget.  Although an agreement on the final budget has not yet been reached, the House Democratic … Continue reading →

Basic education, social safety net, and reform are priorities OLYMPIA – A state spending plan that’s balanced, supports basic education, maintains the social safety net and keeps higher education affordable, all without increasing taxes – that’s the essence of the … Continue reading →

February 2, 2012 Statement from House Ways and Means committee Chair Ross Hunter regarding the House Republicans’ education budget proposal: “This is a perfect illustration of why we can’t write a state budget this way. What we know from this … Continue reading →

Reps. Deb Eddy and Ross Hunter will join Sen. Rodney Tom in a town hall meeting with constituents on Wednesday, Jan. 4, to discuss the 2012 legislative session, which starts Jan. 9.  The question-and-answer forum is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. in … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – A bipartisan plan to take a big bite out of the projected $2 billion state budget shortfall will be heard Monday by the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill, sponsored by Chair Ross Hunter, D-Medina, makes $479.7 … Continue reading →

Citing the “fragile aftermath of the Great Recession.” the Executive Director of the the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council delivered some bad news today: the revenue forecast is now $1.8 billion less than it was when the 2011-13 was … Continue reading →

Statement from Representative Ross Hunter, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, regarding the 2011-13 budget agreement announced today: “This budget was probably the hardest to write in decades.  The slow speed of the economic recovery is still having … Continue reading →

“I appreciate the hard work done by Senator Murray and Senator Zarelli in putting this proposal together.  I know from experience how difficult the process is. “At first glance, it looks like his proposal lines up with ours in some … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – House budget-writers today released a trimmed-down budget proposal that makes substantial cuts to every part of the state budget while preserving services and programs that help educate our children, care for those not able to care for themselves, … Continue reading →

The House will convene at 10:00 this morning for caucuses.  No action on bills is planned. 12:15 – 1:00 pm HHR A:  Ways and Means Chair Ross Hunter, with Vice-Chair Jeannie Darneille and Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, will present the … Continue reading →

The 2011 legislative session is now halfway through. State Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue) and Reps. Ross Hunter (D-Medina) and Deb Eddy (D-Kirkland) invite Eastside residents to a Town Hall on Saturday, March 12 for an update and discussion on the … Continue reading →

A number of bills aimed at trimming nearly $100 million in the upcoming budget were passed this week in the state House of Representatives. These bills, known as “NTIB” or necessary to implement the budget, also authorize savings for the … Continue reading →

“I am happy to see this proposal from the Senate today. It’s crucial that we act swiftly to close the current budget gap, and this is the next step in that process. “The Senate chair kindly shared his budget plan … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – The House unveiled a plan today that takes another $340 million bite out of the current budget shortfall while maintaining current funding levels for basic education and Apple Health for Kids. “One of our goals going into this … Continue reading →

BELLEVUE – Eastside State Reps. Ross Hunter (D-Medina) and Deb Eddy (D-Kirkland) joined Governor Chris Gregoire at Bellevue City Hall this morning where she signed ESSB 6392, the breakthrough compromise bill that frees up construction funding for Eastside projects related … Continue reading →