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Bailey supports legislation
to protect military bases, citizens and jobs
State
Rep. Barbara Bailey,
R-Oak Harbor a member of the Joint Committee on Veteran’s and Military
Affairs, said she is encouraged by the passage of legislation that would
help keep military installations in Washington, protect citizens and
provide jobs.
“Important legislation
passed out of the House today with bipartisan support,” said Bailey of
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6401. “I’m pleased to support this bill
in the House and encourage enthusiasm for it among fellow lawmakers.”
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6401 passed the House 91-5 and now goes
to the governor to be signed into law. It calls for more responsible
local government planning around the state’s military installations.
“As a member of the joint select committee, I’ve traveled around the
state and seen first hand the need for this legislation. I’ve seen it
work in my district where cities and counties work hand in hand with the
state and military installations to make sure encroachment isn’t part of
the communities’ development plans,” Bailey told House members today. “I
wholeheartedly recommend we move forward with this type of planning
statewide.”
Specifically, ESSB 6401
authorizes a process in which counties and cities, with federal military
installations, work in conjunction with commanders to share local growth
and development plans to ensure they don’t have adverse effects on
military operations.
“Our military bases
contribute to the vitality of our communities by creating jobs and
protecting citizens,” continued Bailey. “Let’s make sure they are able
to perform their missions. Let’s do everything we can to support their
value to our communities so they stay in Washington.”
Bailey added that this is particularly important in light of the federal
government’s effort to review the effectiveness of bases across the
country and select some for closure.
“The military presence in our state is huge by many standards, but it
seems we take it for granted or fail to see it, unlike other large
employers’ impact such as Boeing or Microsoft,” said Bailey.
By some counts, the Department of Defense is the state’s largest
employer with more than 94,000 uniformed personnel and civilian
employees. Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard military installations,
including Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in the 10th District, mean $8
billion a year to the state economy in salaries, purchase of goods and
services, construction and other spending. Washington also benefits from
the military bases’ operating expenses and military work that is
contracted out to other Washington employers including Boeing, Nichols
Brothers and Todd Shipyards.
“This is why it’s so important that our local planning take into account
our military installations’ value and contributions in the form of
citizen safety and jobs—both uniformed and civilian,” said Bailey. “We
must support bases in their mission and training capabilities by
limiting development at their doors that devalues the installations and
makes it harder for them to do their jobs and prove their worth.”
Bailey used an example of encroachment and Whidbey Naval Air Station’s
flight path.
“For the safety of
residents and the noise factor, we wouldn’t want to allow development to
get in the way of jet traffic,” she said. “We avoid something like that
by doing proactive local planning in concert with our military
installations.”
Bailey says her role on JCVMC makes her keenly aware of just how much
Washington’s military facilities need this legislation and how it
benefits the entire state.
“As I toured the state’s military facilities, I came away astounded
again by just how critical a role our bases play in the state’s economy
and quality of life,” said Bailey. “Part of our job on this committee is
to make recommendations to help our military installations thrive and
operate effectively. Senate Bill 6401 is a step in the right direction.”
“In my experience, it’s clear that most people don’t realize the huge
economic impact that military installations have on our state,” she
said. “We are proud to have the military bases here and this legislation
will enhance their ability to operate and remain with us.”
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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