Working For You

Since being elected in 2006, State Representative Christine Rolfes has represented Washington's 23rd Legislative District, which includes the Kitsap Peninsula communities of East Bremerton, Silverdale, Bangor, Keyport, Poulsbo, Port Gamble, Kingston, Hansville, Indianola, Suquamish, and Bainbridge Island.

Christine brings a positive, balanced, consensus-building approach to resolving our state's budget and economic challenges.  Over the past 2 years, she has had to make difficult decisions about protecting our state's future while watching the bottom line and fighting for our communities, our most vulnerable citizens, and working families.

Since her election as State Representative in 2006, Christine has been a leader in efforts to reform the Washington state ferry system and has strongly backed education finance reform.  Her leadership and sponsorship of bills has helped victims of crime, protected military families and children by easing the school-transfer process, and increased veterans' relief opportunities by expanding the definition of veteran to include our returning National Guard and Armed Forces reservists.

As Vice Chair of the House Ecology and Parks Committee, Christine places a high priority on the protection of clean water and the cleanup of Puget Sound and Hood Canal. She initiated a program to remove derelict fishing gear from the Sound, and she has worked to keep our state parks open.  Christine also serves on the Transportation, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education Appropriation, and Environmental Health Committees.

The following lists key committees, legislative priorities, and a few of Christine's accomplishment on behalf of the citizens of the 23rd District.

Committees/Activities

• Member, House Transportation Committee
• Member House Committees for Education Appropriations, Environmental Health,  Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Vice-Chair, House Committee on Ecology and Parks
• Member, Working Group on Interstate Compact for Military Families
• Member, Coordinating Board of the Puget Sound Partnership
       (to restore Puget Sound and Hood Canal)

Legislative Priorities

• Work to attract and retain new jobs to our region
• Increase government accountability to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely and  efficiently
• Invest in education and increase accountability in our schools
• Find ways to lower health care costs for both families and businesses

Prime Bills Passed Into Law 2007-2008

HB 2358    Washington State Ferry Reform
HB 2730    Allowing Ports to Provide Passenger Only Ferry Service
HB 1656    Establishing the Puget Sound Scientific Research Account
HB 2049    Establishing Marine Resource Committees
HB 2004    Regional Transportation Planning Organizations
                  (including Bremerton as a significant city)
HB 3120    Encouraging Green Building
HB 1025    Authorizing Public Works Fund Projects
HJR 4704   Recognizing Arts Education in Washington
 
Prime Bills Passed into Law 2009-2010

HB 1075 Enacting the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children
HB 1076    Allowing Crime Victims to submit input on work release placement
HB 1049    Including National Guard members in county veteran’s assistance programs
HB 1066 Regarding changing the form of government of noncharter code city
HB 1532 Authorizing water-sewer districts to operate systems for reclaimed water
HR 2593 Initiating an effort to remove derelict fishing gear from Puget Sound
HR 4651 Recognizing military children

Senate Bills
Prohibiting unfair practices in public community athletics programs by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex
Concerning the administration, collection, use, and enforcement of tolls
Concerning marine waters management that includes marine spatial planning

Community Development & Enhancement Projects That Received Funding

Central Kitsap Community Campus YMCA, Kitsap Girl Scout Center, Kingston Village Green, Carpenter Creek Estuary in Kingston, Kitsap Community Resources, The Keller House Services Center, Building a Foundation for Discovery, Bremerton Services Center, Poulsbo Marine Science Center Floating Classroom, Fay Bainbridge Park, Fort Ward Park, Illahee State Park, Olympic College, Bremerton Natural Areas Facilities Preservation, Bremerton Downtown Revitalization