ARLINGTON – Tony and Tiffeny Rubio are trying to convince state lawmakers that a three-year prison sentence isn’t enough punishment for the drunken driver who killed their son, Matt.

The Rubios are pressing lawmakers to increase penalties for intoxicated drivers who cause fatal crashes.

Matt Rubio was driving his cousin home Aug. 29 when Shenequay Young, 23, hit his car. Matt Rubio died, and his cousin was injured.

Young pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide Feb. 9. Deputy prosecutor Joan Cavagnaro will recommend a three-year prison term. Under the law, the judge could impose 21/2 to 31/2 years behind bars.

“She has to live with this for the rest of her life, that’s what people keep saying,” Tony Rubio said. “But she gets to live. Matt didn’t get that choice.”

State Rep. Al O’Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace, introduced a bill in January that would increase the average sentence for vehicular homicide from three years to 71/2. O’Brien said it’s unlikely the House Judiciary Committee will give the bill a hearing before a March 2 deadline.

The state is facing a budget deficit of more than $2.2 billion and cannot afford to keep those convicted of vehicular homicide in prison longer, O’Brien said.

“It’s tough. I really want to do something that makes a difference,” said O’Brien, whose brother was killed by a drunken driver in 1967.

Costs have kept similar bills from succeeding in previous years as well.

“That’s very difficult to explain to families. It’s like the state of Washington doesn’t value the lives of their loved ones,” said Jenny Wieland, executive director of Everett-based Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims.

Tony and Tiffeny Rubio aren’t giving up. They are passing out fliers with the state legislative hotline number, 800-562-6000, and urging people to call their representatives.

If the bill doesn’t succeed this session, Tony Rubio said they’ll try again in 2006.

“I’ll talk to anybody who wants to listen about this,” Tony Rubio said. “Matt can’t speak for himself. We have to be Matt’s voice now.”

Reporter Katherine Schiffner: 425-339-3436 or schiffner@heraldnet.com.