“The Senate Transportation Committee leaders outlined a $4.3 billion transportation budget proposal Wednesday [March 25] that carries a mixture of good and bad news for South Sound projects. Several projects get funds, but a few are delayed. The House is likely to release its rival proposal next week…

$11.4 million is for realignment of State Route 510 at Yelm, also known as the Yelm bypass. The funds are $6.7 million more than pledged previously and allow the first phase to be built, creating an immediate link or loop with the north-south arterial into downtown Yelm,” quoting The Olympian.

Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell’s official website

House approves Rep. Campbells measure cracking down on Superbug
“The state house of Representatives today [March 9] passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, that cracks down on the rate of bacterial infections contracted in hospitals and health care facilities around Washington.

Campbells bill, HB 1123, requires better testing and safeguards against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the flesh-eating bacteria dubbed a superbug due to its drug-resistance.

According to a Seattle Times investigation, the number of identified cases of MRSA is exploding in Washington hospitals 4,723 cases in 2007 versus 141 in 1997.

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that approximately 94,360 people nationwide developed a serious MRSA infection in 2005. Of these people, the CDC estimated that approximately 18,650 died during a hospital stay related to the infection.

‘This bill is a good step in the right direction,’ said Campbell during the House Floor debate. ‘We must protect patients when theyre at their most vulnerable.’ …

The House passed HB 1123 unanimously. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration before becoming law,” quoting Rep. Campbell’s Press Release.

Senator Randi Becker
Photo from Senator Becker’s Legislative website

Representative Jim McCune
Photo from Representative McCune’s Legislative website

2nd Legislative District Sen. Randi Becker & Rep. Jim McCune have a joint Legislative Update.
CLICK HERE