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Ericksen helps prevent
dollars from being diverted from
Georgia-Pacific cleanup
Senate Bill 6094, the
state’s capital budget, passed out of the House Capital Budget Committee
today.
Rep. Doug Ericksen,
R-Ferndale, offered an important amendment to the bill that would help
prevent dollars from being diverted from Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA)
funding that is earmarked for the cleanup of the Georgia-Pacific site on
Bellingham Bay. The amendment passed.
“Washington residents
passed an initiative in 1988 that would help pay for the cleanup of the
state’s worst toxic messes. There’s an effort by our governor and
Democrats in the Legislature to grab from this fund in an attempt to
balance our state budgets. We cannot let this happen,” said Ericksen.
“My amendment helps prevent dedicated MTCA dollars from being diverted
from the Georgia-Pacific cleanup. I’m pleased I was able to address this
matter in committee and that my fellow legislators were receptive to the
idea.
“MTCA funds are derived
from a small sales tax on hazard substances, including our petroleum
products. These funds should never be diverted to something other than
toxic cleanup. It’s hard to understand why our House, Senate and
governor’s operating budgets want to do exactly this,” said Ericksen.
“This is about protecting our environment and, given sufficient
resources, I have confidence that our local officials can clean up our
Georgia-Pacific site effectively. This is important not only for our
environment, but our economy.”
The bill now heads to the House floor for a vote.
The legislative session began on January 10 and is scheduled to run 105
days.
For more information on
Rep. Ericksen, visit: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/ericksen.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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