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Bailey receives new House
committee assignment
Working for jobs and an
improved local economy are on the list of goals set by
Rep. Barbara Bailey, who has been selected to serve on the House Economic
Development, Agriculture and Trade (EDAT) Committee. The selection is in
addition to Bailey’s other assignments on the House Health Care
Committee and the House Appropriations Committee.
The House Economic Development, Agriculture and Trade Committee
considers issues relating to local and state economic development;
business assistance and financing; tourism, film and video production;
professional sports; agricultural production, marketing, and sales;
animal and plant disease control; food and cosmetic safety; water; and
domestic and international trade.
"The 10th District is primarily rural and although our economy is slowly
improving, families are still struggling as local unemployment hovers
between 4½ to 6 percent, so we’re not out of the woods yet," said
Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. "The majority of jobs in our local area are
provided by small businesses. We need to work for policies that will
help those businesses thrive and create new jobs. It will be very
important that the legislation we pass be productive in enhancing the
growth of our economy."
To help businesses, Bailey says the Legislature must focus its efforts
on regulatory reform.
"When state agencies and the Legislature heap more and more rules and
regulations onto those entities that stimulate our economy, it affects
families and jobs. We need to reverse that direction and work to make
our state more job-friendly," added Bailey.
Bailey said she is also very concerned that growth management laws are
threatening the ability of long-time local farmers to continue their
agricultural-type land uses.
"The critical area ordinances under consideration by our counties are of
primary concern to me. Long-time farming practices in the 10th District
have contributed to the rural quality of life our local residents enjoy.
We must protect individual property rights," noted Bailey. "We can use
proper science to protect the environment, but we must not overdo rules
to an extent that they would eliminate the ability for people to farm or
prevent normal rural family activities, such as conducting a 4-H
project."
Earlier this year, Bailey introduced legislation to allow farming
activities to continue on land used for agriculture prior to the
adoption of the Growth Management Act (GMA). House Bill 2261 would still
require farmlands and their uses to remain subject to water quality
standards that meet GMA goals, but exempt from goals that make those
lands unusable for agricultural land-use activities. Although the
measure failed to receive a hearing, it’s one of the bills Bailey plans
to revive in the 2006 session.
"I knew when I drafted the bill that it may need additional work to meet
the goal of protecting the rights of individuals to farm their lands. So
I will be working to strengthen this bill. We also have similar issues
that may even bring forth some additional proposed bills," said Bailey.
Bailey said she is interested in seeking additional input from the
community regarding issues that will come before the EDAT Committee. She
plans to hold future meetings with farmers, business people and local
economic development representatives.
"This committee assignment will give our district a greater voice on
agriculture, trade and economic development issues that affect our
citizens here at home. It’s a great fit for the community and I’ve very
pleased to have this new assignment," concluded Bailey.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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