2014 Legislative session adjourns on time

For the Reporter

Last night at 11:55, with five minutes to spare before the deadline, Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines (33rd Legislative District), presided over the House of Representatives and brought down the final gavel of the 2014 Legislative session.

“Getting the chance to preside over the Sine Die ceremony was a true honor,” said Orwall, who held the gavel for the first time in 2009 when, in a rare occurrence, she was asked to preside over the House Floor. Two years later, her peers elected her Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore, and last year she became Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore. “This was a hard session, but in the end we came to an agreement and passed a responsible budget that protects the most vulnerable among us.”

Orwall gained support for four of her measures in both chambers and they are now on Governor Inslee’s desk:

• HB 2315 – Suicide prevention training for health care professionals

• HB 2164 – Evidence-based programs for juveniles adjudicated of unlawful possession of a firearm.

• HB 2171 – Stronger economic protections for veterans and military personnel.

• HB 1292 – Victims of the sex trade can start their lives over by vacating their criminal records.

Orwall added that while much of the great legislation passed by the House met an untimely death in the Senate, many good bills did make it through, including:

• The Dream Act.

• A supplemental operating budget that adds nearly $60 million for books, supplies and technology for schools.

• A mental health package that adds needed capacity in our communities.

• Increased standards for high school graduation.

• Requiring critical health screenings for newborns.

• A supplemental transportation budget that sustains about 47,000 jobs across the state.