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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Thank you for the response to my e-mail update last week on the issue of guns rights versus more gun control laws. If you didn't get an opportunity to read my article, I highly encourage you to do so by going here.
Here's a sampling of the responses I received:
- “More gun laws are not the answer. We need to enforce the gun laws we currently have.”
- “On the subject of assault weapons; yes I am one who believes that most people do not need them for hunting or self protection, etc. For the time being, that type of gun and the big magazines, I say should be outlawed.”
- “It is my belief that one of the most effective things you could accomplish in state government is to repeal the 'gun free' zone provisions of state law.”
- “Mr. Kristiansen, You are right to defend our 2nd Amendment. This is NOT about making new laws restricting “Law Abiding” Citizens from their rights as Constitutional Americans.”
- “I do not think, as you seemed to suggest, that new laws are fruitless. If that were the case, you should pack your bags, and go home now, because NO law will be followed by a criminal who does not want to follow it. . .”
- “I agree we have more than enough laws on guns. We need to enforce the ones we have. We need to get them out of the hands of the nuts. Leave the second amendment alone.”
- “History teaches us that gun control laws do not stop the criminals. What we need in the schools/classrooms/theaters/public square are armed/trained citizens carrying concealed.”
- “Criminals don't care about the firearms laws they are breaking to perpetrate their crimes and murders. However I am left nonsensically defenseless to protect myself or my students who I could possibly save from harm. If it came down to it I hope I would have the courage to stand up and try to prevent a tragedy from occurring at my school, even if it cost me my life.”
I received many more responses – most just like the ones above. If you have read my article on this issue, but have not yet responded, please do so. I'd like to hear from you. Please DO NOT hit reply to this e-mail. Instead, click here and send me an e-mail. Also, I want to hear from you during my upcoming telephone town hall meeting. You'll find more information below with the date, time and number to call.
Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you
Mark your calendar!
In 17 days, on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., I will be holding a telephone town hall meeting. Your voice, your input is very important to me. So please mark your calendar and plan on joining me and other citizens from across the 39th District for this event. It's easy to participate. Just call toll-free: 1-877-229-8493 and enter PIN 15786. Once you are connected, when you are ready to ask a question, press (Star) *3 on your telephone keypad.
I will be looking forward to your call!
Welcome the newest member of the 39th District team – Rep. Elizabeth Scott
I am privileged to work with some great seatmates. Rep. Kirk Pearson is now SENATOR Pearson. And we have been joined by Rep. Elizabeth Scott in the House. I recently sent an article to our local chambers of commerce about the new changes in the 39th District and a welcome to Rep. Scott. Read my article here.
Comment on bills
A new feature on the Legislature's Web site: www.leg.wa.gov gives you the opportunity to comment on introduced bills. Just search for the bill you wish to comment on. Then look for the button that says, “Comment on this bill.” Leave your comments and it will be forwarded to me and your other 39th District legislators.
This Week in Olympia
I encourage you to become involved in your state Legislature. Below is the schedule for public hearings in the House committees this week. If you'd like to learn more about how to testify in committee, go here. Click on the links below to get information about each bill. For your convenience, I have highlighted in yellow those bills and issues that are most significant to the 39th District.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Public Safety Committee – House Hearing Room D – 8 a.m.
- Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse – Public Hearing on HB 1352
- Reducing Scrap Metal Theft – Public Hearing on HB 1552
Environment Committee – House Hearing Room C – 8 a.m.
- Electricity/Efficiency/Hydroelectric Generation Projects – Public Hearing on HB 1347
Technology and Energy Development – House Hearing Room C – 10 a.m.
- Establishing a Single Business Portal – Public Hearing on HB 1403
Agriculture and Natural Resources – House Hearing Room B – 10 a.m.
- Peer Review Science – Public Hearing on HB 1112
- Protecting Livestock Against Predator Attacks – Public Hearing on HB 1191
- Declassification of Gray Wolf – Public Hearing on HB 1337
Judiciary – House Hearing Room D – 10 a.m.
- Providing School Districts with Truancy Flexibility – Public Hearing on HB 1477
Labor and Workforce Development – House Hearing Room D – 10 a.m.
- Mandatory Sick and Safe Leave – Public Hearing HB 1313
- Implementing Paid Family & Medical Leave – Public Hearing HB 1457
Education – House Hearing Room A – 1:30 p.m.
- Third Grade Reading Accountability – Public Hearing on HB 1452
- Grading Schools A-F – Public Hearing on HB 1476
- Modifying School Accountability System – Public Hearing on HB 1177
Health Care – Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.
Government Accountability and Oversight – House Hearing Room E – 1:30 p.m.
- Grocery Store Beer & Wine Sampling – Public Hearing on HB 1422
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Agriculture and Natural Resources – House Hearing Room B – 8 a.m.
- Milk and Milk Products – Public Hearing on HB 1220
- Sea Cucumber Dive Fishery – Public Hearing on HB 1323
Labor and Workforce Development – House Hearing Room D – 8 a.m.
- Collection of Unpaid Wages – Public Hearing on HB 1467
Judiciary – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.
Government Operations and Elections – House Hearing Room E – 1:30 p.m.
Environment – House Hearing Room C – 1:30 p.m.
- Flame Retardants – Public Hearing on HB 1294
Public Safety – House Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.
- I–502, Marijuana & Impaired Driving Issues – Work Session
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Local Government- House Hearing Room D – 8 a.m.
Education – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.
- Mandating Dissemination of Student Assessment Costs – Public Hearing on HB 1293
- Requiring Training to Prevent Youth Suicide – Public Hearing on HB 1336
Public Safety – House Hearing Room D – 10 a.m.
Environment – House Hearing Room C – 10 a.m.
- Small Rechargeable Battery Stewardship Act – Public Hearing on HB 1364
- Stewardship of Household Mercury-Containing Lights – Public Hearing on HB 1444
- Electronic Product Recycling – Public Hearing on HB 1498
Agriculture and Natural Resources – House Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.
- Exempt Wells – Public Hearing on HB 1350
- Water Rights and Efficient Irrigation Technologies – Public Hearing on HB 1438
Judiciary – House Hearing Room A – 1:30 p.m.
- Sexual Assault Protection Orders – Public Hearing on HB 1307
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Finance – House Hearing Room A – 8 a.m.
- Cigarettes, Cannabis, and Liquor Taxes – Work Session
- Increase Excise Tax Revenue on Liquor License Renewals – Public Hearing on HB 1503
Health Care – House Hearing Room B – 1:30 p.m.
- Health Insurance Company Surpluses – Public Hearing on HB 1349
Get Connected!
In this day and age in which technology and communication are an integral part of our daily lives, I encourage you to take advantage of the many ways to get connected to information about your Washington State Legislature. Here are some very important links to keep you informed:
- Capitol Buzz – A daily electronic clip service of House Republicans. Click here to subscribe.
- The Current – An online publication from House Republicans to include you in the legislative process. Click here to subscribe.
- Capitol Report – A three-minute weekly radio program (aired on KSVR, Mt. Vernon) that discusses current issues of the 39th District and the state. Click here to sign up for my RSS podcast. You can also get all of the Washington House Republican Capitol Report programs on your iPhone and iPad through the iTunes store by clicking here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/capitol-report-washington/id579017734.
- Check out my Web site – This year, I have a new Web site: houserepublicans.wa.gov/dan-kristiansen. From this link, you can get more information about me, view my news releases and read my regular articles to the chambers of commerce and our local newspapers.
- Photos – Access my photo gallery here.
- Video updates – Every two weeks, I record a new legislative video update with the latest news from the Legislature. You can view my reports here on YouTube.
- TVW – The state's own version of C-Span, TVW broadcasts floor and committee action live. You can also watch on your computer, smartphone or tablet: www.tvw.org
- Legislature's Web site – You can get bill reports, committee agendas and information about upcoming activities in the Legislature at: www.leg.wa.gov
Please share this e-newsletter with everyone you know and encourage them to sign up for it from my Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov/dan-kristiansen.
In your service,
Dan Kristiansen
