|
Dear Friends,
This week in Olympia saw several
packed committee meetings as we quickly approach the Friday deadline for bills
to be advanced out of the Senate’s 12 policy committees. Many of the nuclear-
and emerging energy bills that I have introduced not only received hearings
last week, but were also approved by the Energy, Environment and
Telecommunications Committee.
On Tuesday, I testified before
the Senate Human Services, Mental Health and Housing Committee on my bill to
establish the Youth Behavioral Health Protection Act. I will tell you more
about this important reform to better integrate behavioral health with primary
care in a future update.
Remember, I represent you most effectively
when I receive your personal input, so feel free to let me know if you have
questions, thoughts or concerns about any issue pertaining to state government.
You can email me anytime or call me in Olympia at (360) 786-7614.
Thank you, as always,
for the opportunity to serve you in the state Senate.
Sincerely,
 Sharon Brown
State Senator
8th District
2017 Tri-Cities Day was a big success
 Four measures would recognize clean-power
advantages of nuclear energy, and make geothermal exploration and SMR
manufacturing easier in Washington.
Last week the Senate Energy, Environment
and Telecommunications Committee advanced my package of bills aimed at
encouraging and expanding the use of emerging energy technologies – including
geothermal exploration, nuclear power and small modular reactors.
After hearing testimony from the public –
including some who traveled to Olympia for the annual Tri-Cities Day – the EET committee
approved:
-
Senate Bill 5467, which would
include nuclear energy in the definition of a “qualified alternative energy
resource”;
-
Senate Bill 5468, which would
expand the principles that guide development of the state’s energy strategy to
include nuclear energy;
-
Senate Bill 5475, which would
provide a business-and-occupation tax incentive for the production of small
nuclear reactors; and
-
Senate Bill 5470, which
advances the development of renewable energy by improving the permitting
process for geothermal resources exploration.
These bills are crucial to creating a
long-term environment conducive to both clean energy and economic development.
Washington
state is in a competition not just for the jobs of today, but for the
industries and jobs of tomorrow – and not just with other states, but with
countries around the world. It is vital that we think strategically about
fostering innovation, exploring emerging technologies and preparing to supply a
workforce capable of filling the next generation of emerging energy jobs.
Tri-City
Herald says Senate education plan “hits the bull’s eye.”
Tri-City Herald Editorial Board | Feb. 15, 2017
 Senate Republicans and House Democrats have unveiled their
education funding plans; negotiations are under way and the clock is running.
Both proposals include controversial details, but the Senate’s plan to eliminate the reliance on
local levy money to finance schools and teacher pay hits the bull’s eye.
This piece of the fix, at the very least, must be
preserved.
… Under the GOP plan, a new property tax of $1.80 per
$1,000 of assessed property value would be imposed statewide, raising about $2
billion in revenue over the next two years. But
by eliminating local levies, taxpayers in many communities would see a
reduction in their property tax bill.
In Kennewick, property owners would see a reduction of
$1.64 per $1,000 of value. In Richland, it would be a drop of $1.51 per
$1,000.The decrease would mean $328 less in Kennewick property taxes and $302
less in Richland for the same $200,000 home.
Click
here to read the full editorial.
|
|
