Washingtonvotes.org, a project of Washington Policy Center that tracks voting by all state legislators, provides the following information on votes on proposed legislation by state Sen. Randi Becker and Reps. J.T. Wilcox and Graham Hunt from the Second District, which includes south Pierce County. As of March 13, 670 of the 2,338 bills introduced during the current session of the Legislature were still eligible to be approved. Washington Policy Center is a non-profit organization that promotes public policy based on free-market solutions. " Senate Bill 5735, to provide incentives for carbon reduction investments. Passed the Senate on March 9 by a vote of 26-23. Sen. Randi Becker voted yes. This is a renewable-energy proposal to give utilities credit for conserving energy, installing electric car charging stations and converting the state's ferry fleet to run on natural gas. Supporters of the bill said it would cut carbon emissions, create jobs and lower electricity rates by allowing utilities to buy more of their power in Washington. " Senate Bill 5735, amendment stating that human activity may contribute to climate change. Passed the Senate on March 9 by a vote of 29-20. Sen. Randi Becker voted yes.
Language in this amendment was changed from a statement that human activity significantly contributes to climate change to state that human activity may contribute to climate change. " Senate Bill 5899, to address small loans and consumer installment loans. Passed the Senate on March 10 by a vote of 30-18. Sen. Randi Becker voted yes. This measure would allow lenders to replace two-week payday loans with installment loans that could be paid off over several months. Supporters said the new loan structure would help low-income borrowers by allowing smaller monthly payments. Opponents proposed some 40 amendments to the bill that sparked sharp debate but were not passed. " Senate Bill 5748, to clarify and strengthen the teacher and principal evaluation process. Passed the Senate on March 11 by a vote of 26-23. Sen. Randi Becker voted yes. The measure would require that school districts include the results of federally mandated student assessment tests in the teacher and principal evaluation process. This educator-evaluation bill would allow the state to regain control over some $40 million in federal funds for education. " House Bill 1646, to establish the equal pay opportunity act. Passed the House on March 11 by a vote of 55-43. Reps. Graham Hunt and J.T. Wilcox voted no. This measure would modify existing equal pay laws to include prohibiting less favorable employment opportunities based on gender, and enhancing enforcement of these provisions. The bill would also prohibit retaliation for workplace wage discussions or encouraging other workers to question their wages or conditions of employment. Testimony during committee hearings on the bill pointed out legal actions for retaliation and recovery of attorneys' fees and costs are already permitted. The National Labor Relations Act also prohibits retaliation for engaging in concerted activity. " Senate Bill 5226, to require public disclosure of public employee unions' finances. Passed the Senate on March 10 by a vote of 26-22. Sen. Randi Becker voted yes. This bill would extend the disclosure regulations that apply to private-sector unions under federal labor law to public employee unions in our state. It provides that every public employee union must file a report with the state Public Employment Relations Commission detailing its organizational structure, and every organization representing at least 100 workers must file an annual report detailing its finances.
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