2022 WA Legislative Scorecard 2021-

SB5038 prohibits the open carry of firearms or any weapons at public demonstrations and the state capitol, whether the person carries the weapon on their person or in a vehicle. This prohibition also applies within 250 feet of the perimeter of a permitted demonstration at a public place.

The Senate passed SB5038 on April 20, 2021, by a vote of 28 to 21. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the fundamental right of the American people to keep and bear arms should not be infringed, as guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

SB5399 establishes the Universal Health Care Commission to prepare Washington for the creation of a state and federally-funded universal health care system.

The Senate passed SB5399 on April 19, 2021, by a vote of 28 to 21. We have assigned pluses to the nays because health care is not the legitimate object of government, nor should be under federal, state, or local jurisdiction in the United States. To compel American citizens to provide taxpayer money for a universal health care system would be to violate their fundamental rights protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment.

SB5227 mandates “diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and antiracism” training and assessments for faculty, staff, and students at public institutions of higher education, with the purpose of “eliminating structural racism.”

The Senate passed SB5227 on April 19, 2021, by a vote of 32 to 17. We have assigned pluses to the nays because training, as well as curriculum, in higher education is the responsibility of--and a fundamental right of choice retained by--the faculty, staff, and students themselves, not the government. Educational freedom, as with all other constitutional rights, is protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment.

HB1368 appropriates approximately $2.2 billion in federal COVID-19 funding for Medicaid in K-12 public schools, COVID-19 vaccines, housing assistance, business grants, immigration, welfare, and food programs.

The Senate passed HB1368 on February 10, 2021, by a vote of 47-2. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this spending bill relies on a combination of unconstitutional federal funds, including from the federal Consolidated Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act and the Coronavirus Relief Fund under the federal CARES Act.States should oppose the use of federal taxpayer money for purposes not authorized under Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution.

SCR8402 extends several of the COVID-19 State of Emergency orders issued by the Governor since February 29, 2020. It ensures that these emergency orders--which prohibit a number of activities and waive or suspend certain laws and regulations--remain in place until the COVID-19 State of Emergency is lifted or until rescinded by gubernatorial or legislative action.

The Senate passed SCR8402 on January 13, 2021, by a vote of 28 to 19. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the exercise of executive emergency powers ought to be strictly time-limited, not indefinite, and the abuse thereof checked against by periodic legislative oversight. Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution guarantees each state a republican form of government, which requires a limitation and separation of powers.