Klippert takes oath, begins term as 8th District representative
Kennewick Republican outlines agenda, ready to go to work for local citizens
Standing on the floor of the Washington House of Representatives with his right hand raised, Brad Klippert took the oath of office today to begin his first term as state representative for the 8th Legislative District.
“This is among the greatest honors and most humbling moments of my life,” said Klippert, whose background includes more than 21 years of military service and 15 years of law enforcement experience. “My number one goal is to do a great job of representing the citizens of the Eighth Legislative District. I am eager to get started.”
With the state facing a budget shortfall exceeding $6 billion, Klippert acknowledged that the scheduled 105-day session will likely take its place among the most difficult in state history.
“I'm going to do everything possible to help our state balance its budget without raising taxes. The key to putting Washington back on the road to recovery is to get unemployed people working again. We need to change the business climate to one that attracts new firms and encourages existing companies to expand and hire additional employees. That means reducing unnecessary regulations and cutting excessive bureaucracy so that businesses can thrive and remain profitable,” said Klippert, R-Kennewick. “When more people are on the payroll and taking care of their families, they are paying taxes, which increases state revenue. It's a win-win for the citizens and the state when we strengthen Washington's economy and help people's incomes grow.”
Klippert, a Benton County sheriff's deputy who works as a school resource officer in the Kiona-Benton City School District, said providing a quality education for Washington students remains a high priority.
“We need to help school districts retain and attract the best and brightest teachers, and ensure they are paid a fair wage for the incredible job they do. The investment we make toward providing a quality education for our young people today will pay long-term dividends as they compete successfully in a global market,” noted Klippert, who has taught at the elementary, middle school, high school and college levels.
As the new assistant ranking Republican on the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee, Klippert will put his law enforcement experience to work at the state Capitol.
“When you see firsthand the faces of people who have been victimized and hear their stories of pain, you recognize how important it is to keep criminals locked up and removed from our neighborhoods,” said Klippert. “I will work for safer streets and communities. We also need to use our laws to their full potential to support correctional and law enforcement officers, protect citizens, and provide justice for victims.”
Klippert will also serve on the House Transportation Committee.
“Continued growth in the Tri-City region means more demands on our local transportation system. Citizens are paying higher gas taxes, and promises have been made to improve our local highways. We need to ensure those promises are kept,” said Klippert. “I plan to continue the long-standing tradition of providing a strong voice for the 8th District on the House Transportation Committee to ensure that we get our fair share of the dollars needed to complete local projects and important infrastructure.”
Klippert noted his appointment to the House Human Services Committee will give him the opportunity to speak in support of the state's most vulnerable and elderly populations.
“Protection of services for our senior citizens and the most vulnerable in Washington is critical. At the same time, we need to encourage healthy, able-bodied people to take responsibility for themselves by finding a job so that those resources can be used for people who are unable to work and need those services most,” added Klippert.
The new 8th District lawmaker invited citizens to contact his office any time they have questions, comments or suggestions about state government.
“I plan to work very hard for my constituents so they can be satisfied that the choice they made to have me serve as their state representative was the right one. I welcome their thoughts and ideas to keep me informed and educated about the needs of the district so that I can serve them to the best of my abilities,” concluded Klippert.
Klippert can be contacted through his office in Olympia at (360) 786-7882 or toll-free at 1-800-562-6000. Address is: 436 John L. O'Brien Building, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600. His legislative assistant is Mike Wallin.
