|
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
|