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Friends and Neighbors,
Yesterday, the third special session ended without any votes being taken. With only two pieces of legislation remaining – protections for water rights, and the capital budget – there was no reason to let the session expire without passing both.
Unfortunately, Seattle lawmakers bowed to one faction of a special interest group when they refused to hold a vote to fix the Hirst Decision. Without this fix, families and property owners all across Washington will be denied access to clean water on their own private property. Rural Washingtonians deserve better than this; they deserve the same access to water that Seattle lawmakers and developers have.
On July 1, I voted in favor of a capital budget that would have sent more than $20 million back to the 20th District. I was never given the opportunity, however, to vote on a real, long-term solution to fix Hirst and protect the water rights of property owners.
In the coming weeks, I hope Seattle lawmakers and Governor Inslee put the rest of Washington ahead of Seattle and allow me the chance to vote on a long-term Hirst fix. I'll be waiting diligently for the chance to return to Olympia and vote in favor of property owners and water rights.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact me. It is a privilege to represent you, and I will continue to put you ahead of Seattle special interest groups.
Sincerely,
Ed Orcutt
