|
Dear Friend:
An important deadline, house of origin cutoff, was on Wednesday. This concluded nine days of floor action and debates. The House returned primarily to committee work on Thursday and will continue this work through next week.
In my video update today, I talk about recent floor debates, what to expect next week and why the Legislature does not need to raise taxes. You can watch it here.
Revenue forecast
The Legislature's attention will turn to the revenue forecast on Wednesday. This report will reveal the strength of our state tax collections and help guide budget writers as they draft the operating budget.
Our state tax collections have been strong since the last budget was written. Very strong. In fact, our state will have $4.2 billion more in revenue for the next budget cycle. That number could increase soon.
Be on the lookout for commentary from Rep. Ed Orcutt, chair of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, and Rep. Drew Stokesbary, our ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, next week. No one in the Legislature is more dedicated than these two lawmakers to the priorities of accountable government and responsible state spending.
Upcoming House Republican town halls
While many House Republicans choose to host telephone town halls because they are the most effective way to reach the most constituents, 19 of our members will have traditional town halls in the upcoming days. You can find a list of events at this link.
Sincerely,
Rep. J.T. Wilcox
House Republican Leader
(360) 786-7912
Anti-Janus bill
House Bill 1575 is another response to the U.S. Supreme Court Janus decision. The measure would make it more difficult for public employees to exercise their right to not join a union and to get out of a union. For example: it would allow employees to opt-in to a union via recorded voice, electronic or written authorization, but they could only opt-out via written authorization. We feel this approach is fundamentally unfair to public employees and goes against the spirit of the Janus decision. Watch highlights of the floor debate.
Public option health care bill
House Bill 1523 would require the Washington Health Benefit Exchange to develop standardized health plans. It would expressly limit choice over time in favor of one-size-fits-all plans meeting specific government requirements. We believe this approach would increase health care costs, reduce options and eliminate providers. Watch highlights of the floor debate.
Low carbon fuel standard
House Bill 1110 would direct the Department of Ecology to adopt, by rule, standards to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions per unit of fuel energy in transportation fuels over time. This would follow California's model, which has raised gas and diesel prices there and will continue to in the future. We think this new program would be regressive, would raise the cost of gas and goods, and not do anything meaningful for the environment. Watch highlights of the floor debate.
Editorial boards sound the alarm on Democratic proposals, Inslee's record
Tri-City Herald: Washington alone can’t fix climate changes. National approach is needed | March 8, 2019
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin: State DOC must do better tracking inmates’ sentences | March 5, 2019
Yakima Herald-Republic: Will Inslee’s presidential bid unduly influence state legislation? | March 5, 2019
Yakima Herald-Republic: Time to stall climate bills that would raise gas prices | March 1, 2019
The Seattle Times: Washington’s struggles to track prison sentences are unacceptable | February 27, 2019
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin: Scuttle the effort to raise state gas tax | February 25, 2019
Tri-City Herald: Inslee’s proposed Snake River dam task force will be a waste of money | February 24, 2019
The Seattle Times: Stop the local tax grab and increase state dollars for education | February 22, 2019
The Spokesman-Review: A statewide plastic bag ban doesn’t make sense | February 10, 2019
Yakima Herald-Republic: Don’t lift the levy cap on school funding | January 25, 2019
The Columbian: Keep a lid on it | January 10, 2019
Yakima Herald-Republic: Gov. Inslee’s capital gains tax won’t fly in this state | December 22, 2018
|
