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Flood funding package signed
into law
Local lawmakers win battle for local control of
future flood planning
The voices from citizens
in flood-ravaged communities have won the day in the debate over future
flood mitigation in the Chehalis River Basin. House Bill 3375, prime
sponsored by
Rep. Gary
Alexander, R-Olympia, was signed into law today,
providing funding and creating a locally driven process for developing
future flood prevention projects.
"It would have been easy for the state to turn the money and the
authority over to the Army Corps of Engineers and allow them to protect
the interests of government. But the community stepped up and
demonstrated our resolve to protect families in all areas affected by
flooding," said
Alexander,
who attended today's bill signing in Chehalis. "We worked hard with
local leaders, flood victims and volunteers, to educate lawmakers and
the governor, and we made our case to have local citizens serve as an
integral part of the planning process to prevent future flooding."
"I couldn't be more proud of this community," said
Rep. Richard
DeBolt, R-Chehalis, who is a cosponsor of the flood
relief bill. "I'm proud not only of the way the people have responded to
the plight of their neighbors and friends, but also the manner in which
they have shown leadership on this issue before the Legislature. We
brought our concerns and solutions to Olympia, and we have mapped out a
course for addressing flooding issues. Above all, we've put state and
federal leaders on notice that we will not leave anyone out of this
process, whether you live near the freeway or the upper reaches of the
basin. The only acceptable solution is one that protects all those who
are affected by flooding."
House Bill 3375 earmarks $50 million in state funding for flood hazard
mitigation projects. It sets aside $2.5 million for the local Chehalis
Basin Flood Control Authority to participate, or authorize another local
group to participate, in the development of flood mitigation measures.
The remaining funds can only be spent on projects that are agreed to by
all parties, including the locally authorized group.
House Bill 3374, also signed into law today, authorizes the use of bonds
to provide the $50 million in funding.
Alexander
and
DeBolt
noted that this funding mechanism is better than hoping for money out of
the state general fund, which is expected to be in the red next year.
"When we identify the agreed upon projects, we can issue the bonds that
have been approved and the money will be there,"
Alexander
explained. "The same would not be true if the money was pledged from the
state general fund, which is facing a $2.4 billion shortfall next
biennium. The Legislature and the governor have increased spending by 33
percent in the last four years. We can't keep pace with that kind of
spending. It will be extremely difficult for the state to respond to any
emergencies, such as floods and fires and other natural disasters, in
the coming months and years."
The 20th District lawmakers said their efforts to provide tax relief
this session to victims of the December flood were turned away because
the Legislature and the governor had already overspent the taxpayers'
money in the general fund. Majority lawmakers adopted an operating
budget that spends $34 billion while the state is collecting only $29.5
billion in revenues.
DeBolt
introduced two bills to provide tax relief on flood-damaged property and
a sales tax rebate for families who have incurred costs for needed flood
repairs. The tax relief bills fell into disfavor with majority lawmakers
because they had already overcommitted the state's budget dollars.
"That's why we've been so critical of the double-digit spending
increases over the past four years," said
DeBolt.
"Now we have little opportunity to respond to these types of emergencies
and we can't provide ample relief to families who truly need it."
# # #
For more information, contact:
John Rothlin,
Staff Director - (360) 786-7254
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