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Bailey chosen as GOP lead on
House economic development committee
Oak Harbor lawmaker also selected for House
Appropriations Committee
Rep.
Barbara Bailey has
been chosen to serve as the ranking Republican on the House Community,
Economic Development and Trade Committee. The committee considers issues
relating to local and state economic development, business assistance
and financing, tourism, international and domestic trade, and other
business-related concerns.
Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, said she plans to work for policies that will help
to protect, stabilize and grow the economy, reduce job-stifling
regulatory burdens, and provide ways to build a better business climate
in Washington.
"It’s in the best interest of the state and our citizens to do what we
can to provide a business-friendly environment that will retain
employment and attract new jobs for the families of Washington. When
people are working and have a good job, they have a better quality of
life and they contribute to the tax base of our state," said Bailey. "We
need to make sure that government is a help, not a hindrance, to the
businesses in Washington. That includes finding ways to lift onerous
regulatory burdens from the backs of our businesses in the state,
particularly small businesses, and to help foster productivity and job
growth. These will be some of the important issues facing this committee
in the 2007 session."
Bailey, who was honored last month with the National Federation of
Independent Business "Guardian of Small Business Award," said the
committee assignment is a good fit for the 10th District and will offer
the opportunity for her to provide a strong voice for small businesses
in the local area.
"The 10th District is largely made up of small family-owned businesses –
many of which struggle not only with the regulatory burdens of the
state, but a heavy tax burden as well. In the past, the Legislature has
provided tax credits to large employers throughout the state and has
given preferential treatment to certain segments of job development.
However, our small businesses have been ignored," said Bailey. "Small
businesses are the economic driver of our state. It’s time to give them
the attention they deserve by providing both tax relief and regulatory
reform."
In addition to her ranking position, Bailey has been selected to once
again serve on the House Appropriations Committee. This powerful
committee will create a new operating budget for the state and also
considers legislation with fiscal impacts.
With the state treasury sitting on a budget surplus nearing $2 billion,
Bailey said it will be as important as ever to seek fiscal
accountability with taxpayers’ dollars.
"I hope to bring to this committee a voice of reason. I’m concerned that
with such a large surplus, there will be enormous pressure from special
interest groups for the Legislature to spend every last dime on their
programs. We need to be planning for the future and not spending for the
moment," said Bailey.
"The state budget should be approached very similar to the way a
business or a family budgets their money. If you find yourself with a
one-time windfall, it is much smarter to pay off your debt than to make
a purchase that will require long-term future payments," she added. "In
the same way, the state should pay down its existing debt with this
one-time surplus instead of spending on new, costly ongoing programs
that may require tax increases in the future."
Bailey, who also serves on the Select Committee on Pension Policy, said
lawmakers should first pay down the state’s pension liability. The state
is supposed to pay into the pension system every year, but in tough
years it has skipped payments on what has become a $4 billion unfunded
liability.
"Soon it will become very costly for the taxpayers of Washington if we
continue to ignore this problem," noted Bailey. "While we have the
money, we need to catch up on pension payments. It’s time to act
responsibly for the taxpayers of our state and pay this bill."
With the scheduled 105-day session beginning Jan. 8, Bailey said she is
ready to return to Olympia and work for the citizens of the 10th
District.
"Like every session, we have new challenges and new opportunities. I’m
looking forward to both and to hearing from our citizens as the
legislative session progresses," concluded Bailey.
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