Big bucks on security

OLYMPIA–Taxpayers will pick up the $1.5 million tab for the 10-day heavy Washington State Patrol/National Guard presence surrounding the Capitol prior–during–after inaugural week.

Submitted by Sen. Mark Schoesler

Fences prohibit access to hearings

OLYMPIA–This week, a large number of people signed into the hearing for SB 5114, the straight-to-Phase-2 bill, but the fences around the capitol meant people were unable to rally at the “people’s house” or even testify in person.

Submitted by Sen. Mark Schoesler

$339 million new tax

OLYMPIA–Here’s anoter flashback to 2019 that seems very relevant. On April 26 that year, with the session scheduled to end April 28, a House committee had a public hearing on House Bill 2167. The committee voted immediately after the hearing to move the bill ahead, and the House majority passed it off the floor of the House later that same day. A Senate committee had a public hearing on HB 2167 the next day, voting immediately after the hearing to move the bill ahead. On April 28, our final day, the Senate majority passed it off the Senate floor and delivered it to the governor. So what bill was so important that it was rushed from the initial committee hearing to the governor’s desk in three days right before the session ended? HB 2167 was a brand new $339 million tax!

Submitted by Sen. Mark Schoesler

Democrats dragging their feet

OLYMPIA–The Senate Bill 5114, co-sponsored by Sen. Schoesler (R-9), to move all regions to Phase 2 of the governor’s new restart plan, has no political motivation by the democrats to expedite to the governor’s desk for approval.

Submitted by Sen. Mark Schoesler

An 18-cent gas-tax hike?

OLYMPIA–Yes, you read that right. Plus a “carbon fee.” Plus a “diesel tax differential.” Plus a $10 hike in truck license fees, and passenger vehicle weight fees. A 50% increase in the cost of license plates for cars and motorcycles. And much, much more contained in the transportation package announced by the House Democrats.

Submitted by Sen. Mark Schoesler

Casting a vote that counts

OLYMPIA–A House Bill 1265 giving voters an option on the presidential primary ballot to not declare a party affiliation. It allows unaffiliated votes (i.e., those cast by voters who do not indicate their party preference) to qualify for the presidential primary and be counted. Sponsors of the bill are Reps. Skyler Rude, (R-16, Walla Walla), Mike Chapman (D-24, Port Angeles), Bob Chase (R-4, Liberty Lake), Carolyn Eslick (R-39, Sultan), Jenny Graham (R-6, Spokane), Dan Griffey (R-35, Allyn), Cyndy Jacobsen (R-25, Puyallup), Eric Robertson (R-31, Sumner), and Jim Walsh (R-19, Aberdeen).

Submitted by Kylee Zabel, Communications Director, State of the Secretary of State

House Bill 1091 inflate living costs

OLYMPIA–State Rep. Mary Dye, (R-9) and a ranking Republican on the House Environment and Energy Committee, stated the passage of House Bill 1091 by House Democrats, would enact a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS), and authorize the state Department of Ecology to create a clean fuels program, which could eventually increase the cost of gasoline by 57 cents per gallon and diesel by 63 cents per gallon.

USDA announced three senior appointments

WASHINGTON D. C.–Recent agricultural appointments are Stacy Dean Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services; Justin Maxson, CEO of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation; and Mae Wu as Deputy Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

Foreclosure moratorium and mortgage forbearance

WASHINGTON D. C.–The USDA announced an extension of eviction and foreclosure moratoriums on USDA Single Family Housing Direct and Guaranteed loans (SFHDLP and SFHGLP) through March 31, 2021. The actions announced today will bring relief to residents in rural America who have housing loans through USDA.

LeVine joins Biden-Harris Administration

OLYMPIA – Employment Security Department (ESD) Commissioner Suzi LeVine will be leaving at the end of January to take a position with the Biden-Harris Administration, effective February 1, 2021.

EBT, SNAP programs increased 15%

WASHINGTON D. C.–The USDA is increasing the Pandemic-EBT benefit by approx. 15%, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school closures. Separately, in response to this national emergency, USDA is looking at ways to increase Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to all, especially lowest-income households and those struggling to afford a healthy diet for their families.