Dear Neighbor,

Greetings!

Last week, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced that a pair of wolves had been documented living in Skagit County. WDFW supports a Wolf Management and Conservation Plan that envisions eight breeding pairs in the Cascades in addition to seven breeding pairs in other areas of the state.

Speaking to small numbers of ‘breeding pairs’ belies the actual large number of wolves inhabiting our state, which is well over 100 wolves. Wolves present a threat to farmers, livestock and pets; they don’t go hungry when they cannot find game. I disagree with the thought that these animals moving into Skagit County and breeding is good policy. I am concerned a further increase in wolves will exacerbate the existing elk problems as they would seek the safer areas on the agricultural valley floor. These are foreseeable outcomes and they do not benefit residents of Skagit County.

I did have the opportunity to learn more about the statewide wolf recovery plan when WDFW testified on House Bill 2097, which directs the department to develop and implement conflict mitigation guidelines in each wolf recovery region. I supported this legislation in committee because I fear that we may soon see some of the same issues Northeast Washington is facing in our own backyards.

With ongoing issues with elk damaging crops and issues of safety on our highways and even at our schools with large herds coming onto the fields, I will continue to monitor this situation by staying in communication with WDFW to see the impact of these animals in our region. 

Timber dollars remain in Senate operating budget

The Senate voted recently on its version of the state’s 2019-2021 operating budget (learn more about the operating budget by watching my video update). Under the original proposal, timber revenue dollars, that many of our rural districts rely on, was reduced by an amount equivalent to any revenues received from timber harvests on state forest lands. That would have had an impact on about 90 largely rural schools which are included in many of our districts such as Darrington, Sultan and Arlington.

I am happy that we were able to include a provision to continue putting forest revenue dollars in school districts through 2021, preserving over $6 million in funding for schools in the 39th Legislative District. This is a good win and an important tool that will benefit our school districts. This version of the budget is not final but I’m glad to see that the forest revenue dollars were included. 

While I supported this particular amendment, I did not support the underlying budget on the final vote. The state is currently experiencing unprecedented revenue and job growth. The budget process is difficult, at best, as we work to balance the needs of government with the needs of its citizens. Health, public safety, education, these are just a few of the issue’s which are funded with your tax dollars.  But the budgets currently being proposed rely heavily on new and increased taxes.

I am hopeful we will see a final budget proposal in the coming weeks as the Legislature is currently scheduled to adjourn on April 28th.

Sincerely,