Blog Entries for Sen. Kevin Ranker

Tough Decisions

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Friday marked the first of many difficult decisions that will be required to balance our state's $2.6 billion budget shortfall. I voted for two bills in the Senate cutting costs totaling nearly $69 million.

This decision was one of the toughest I have faced as a legislator and it pains me to know that it will affect individuals in my district.

One of the more controversial issues in these bills was the decision to furlough state employees one day a month in an ef [...]

Newsletter: Tough state budget ahead

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In just two short months, on January 10th, I’ll be heading back to Olympia to start the 2010 legislative session, and we’ll have our work cut out for us.

Just a year after tackling a $9 billion budget deficit – the largest in our state’s history - we’re faced with another $2 billion shortfall. This means we’ll be forced to look at even more program cuts and savings enhancements to keep Washington fiscally sound as well as keep our well established socia [...]

Same-sex rights address historic injustices

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

When I thought about the experiences and challenges I'd face as your state senator, I didn’t think that in my first year I'd find myself on the front lines of a fight that’s been brewing over the last 40 years.

From the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York, to the protests last year in California over the passage of Proposition 8, to rallies at state capitals this year, same-sex couples have been fighting against discrimination and working towards equality all across [...]

County Fairs highlight local bounty

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

It wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the county fair. Last week Rep. Jeff Morris and I went to the Skagit County Fair and the San Juan County Fair.

At the Skagit County Fair I was honored to participate in the Welcoming Ceremony with Jeff Morris, Skagit County Commissioners and others. At the San Juan County Fair, I was asked to speak, again with Jeff Morris, at the Agricultural Tent regarding local agricultural issues and state policy. The presentation was followed by [...]

Ranker stands for San Juan route

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Citing the adverse impacts to commuters and the working families of the San Juan Islands, Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Islands, recently met with several members of Congress in Washington D.C. and followed-up with letters urging them to reconsider a Coast Guard directive that changes the way Washington State Ferries has operated the San Juan Route for years.

“I fear this new directive, though well intentioned, will unleash many negative impacts on the quality [...]

Sen Kevin Ranken comments

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I’m very proud that we’ve passed meaningful legislation today that starts us on the path to real improvements for our public schools. Our children and families depend on their lawmakers to work hard and struggle with difficult decisions and move our state forward. Education is the most important duty our state has – educating our children and preparing them for their lives. As our state grows, it’s past time that we rethink how we are paying for our schools.

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Capital budget proposal includes $93 million in 40th House District

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, announced this week that the proposed 2009-2011 Capital budget contains more than $93 million in investments and construction projects for the 40th district over the next two years.

“The construction projects that are funded in this budget are going to create local jobs and provide valuable infrastructure that will benefit our community for years to come,” Ranker said. “Our state’s budgets were hit hard by the [...]