Eighth District legislators to host town meetings May 8
The 8th District's state legislative team – Sen. Jerome Delvin and Reps. Larry Haler and Brad Klippert – will host a series of town meetings Sat., May 8, at five locations in Benton County.
The lawmakers will present an overview of the issues and accomplishments of the 2010 legislative session, which concluded April 13, including a 30-day special session. Following their presentations, the legislators will take questions and comments from the audience. There also will be time afterward for people to talk with their lawmakers individually.
“In-person contact is extremely valuable in helping guide our decisions at the state Capitol,” said Haler, R-Richland, who is serving his third term in the House. “The open-forum setting provides a great opportunity for informal give-and-take discussion.”
“Representative Haler, Senator Delvin and I want to ensure that the people we represent have an open door to let us know how they feel about the issues we dealt with this year in Olympia,” add Klippert, a first-term Republican from Kennewick. “The interchange with local citizens goes a long way toward ensuring honest, open and transparent government.”
A major focus of the day's five meetings will be how the Legislature addressed the $2.8 billion budget shortfall, and passage of the largest tax increase in state history.
“Town forums give us a chance to roll up our sleeves for a personal exchange with the people we represent, to feel the pulse of the district,” said Delvin, R-Richland, who served five terms in the House before advancing to the Senate in 2004.
“The meetings allow candid conversation in which we can be direct and even blunt with one another. That input is important, and we look forward to seeing our constituents,” Delvin added.
The 8th District town meetings will be held May 8 at the following locations and times:
? Prosser
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
City Council Chambers
601 7th Street
? Benton City
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Kiona-Benton High School
Performing Arts Center
? West Richland
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Benton REA Meeting Room
6095 Van Giesen Street
? Richland
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
City Council Chambers
505 Swift Boulevard
? Kennewick
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
210 W. 6th Avenue
For more information, contact: Bill Taylor, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7074
