Major Accomplishments, Public Safety

Protecting Terrorism-related Records from Disclosure

  • Won passage of legislation that exempts from disclosure critical public records that, if released, could place the public in jeopardy in the event of a terrorist attack. Records that will be exempt from disclosure under the new law include first responder deployment plans, data essential to terrorism vulnerability assessments and response plans, certain national security records and other records shared with state officials, and sensitive information regarding the security of computer and telecommunication networks.

Controlling Behavior Of Ex-Convicts To Promote Safe Streets

  • Won passage of The Offender Accountability Act in 1999 to strengthen supervision of convicted felons released from prison or jail after completing their terms.
  • Continued to improve tracking of offenders who have left prison. Funding pays for the second phase of the Offender Management Network Information system. The new system is expected to improve the reporting capabilities, reduce data entry and redirect staff time towards offender supervision. $9.2 million GF-State. (01-03)
  • Provided officers powers including power to ban ex-con from hanging out with past associates or drinking or taking illegal drugs.

Responding To The Methamphetamine Epidemic

  • Won passage of bill in 1998 to more than double the standard sentencing range for manufacturing methamphetamine from two years to five on the first offense.
  • Created the Methamphetamine Response Team in 1999, a new State Patrol unit working with local law enforcement to crack down on the growing number of methamphetamine laboratories across the state.
  • Provided funding for faster response to meth labs and contamination cleanup, training for law enforcement and child protective service workers, drug courts, and other treatment for drug users. The sale of over-the-counter drugs that can be used to make meth is restricted. $7.5 million Public Safety and Education Account, State Toxics Control Account. (01-03)

Protecting the Public From Pipeline Accidents

  • Signed strong state law for pipeline inspection, worked with delegation on federal bills to give state greater authority, sponsored National Governors’ Association resolution committing all Governors to work on improved federal law, secured offer of delegated authority for interstate pipeline inspection.

Reforming Drug Sentencing

  • Increased treatment opportunities for nonviolent drug-addicted offenders.
  • Signed legislation giving judges more discretion in sentencing to help reduce future crime. (1999)
  • Signed legislation reducing sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and shifting prison savings to counties for treatment through drug courts and other programs. (2002)

Moving Drug Prevention Funds to Local Communities

  • Distributed Drug Prevention Grants: $9 million in federal funds over three years to 18 communities. (1999-2002)

Reforming Juvenile Justice

  • Backed successful legislation providing much tougher penalties for major or repeated crimes (1997).
  • Proposed and passed Community Juvenile Accountability Act, using proven tools and interventions to keep first offenders from coming back again.

Improving the State Crime Lab

  • Combined with Toxicology Lab in State Patrol.
  • Provided funding to clear up backlog of DNA samples to help convict the guilty and protect the innocent.
  • Expanded requirement to provide DNA samples to include all convicted felons (2002).
  • Provided funding to speed up analysis of evidence in ongoing cases (2002).

Treating Mentally Ill Offenders

  • Won legislation to get mental health treatment for mentally ill offenders.

Cracking Down on Drunk Drivers

  • Won passage of DUI legislation in 1998 including lowering blood-alcohol level at which a person is legally drunk from .10 to .08; automatic license suspensions; mandatory ignition interlocks on cars; local authority to impound cars; more electronic monitoring.

Increasing funds For Police Training in State’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy

  • Expanded training of new officers from 440 to 720 hours.

Combating Domestic Violence

  • Won passage of stronger penalties, more authority for courts and DSHS to prevent abuse and punish batterers, training for 911 operators.

Building New Prisons

  • Oversaw opening new 1,936-bed prison in Grays Harbor County (June 2000).
  • Created a 24-bed facility at McNeil Island to house and treat civilly committed sex offenders in a less-restrictive environment as they prepare to re-enter society as ordered by the courts. At any given time, only 15 of the 24 residents may leave the facility for heavily supervised work or treatment in Pierce County. $5.8 million GF-State. (01-03)

Preventing and Treating Drug Abuse

  • Increased state funding for prevention and treatment: 36 percent increase for prevention, 27 percent increase in state for treatment (1997-2000).

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