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Walsh votes to help farmers
with energy costs
Rep. Maureen Walsh
voted for a bill that passed on the House floor today that would exempt
state farmers from sales and use taxes on diesel fuel used for
non-highway purposes.
“Family farms are such a vital part of our state’s economy. My district
farmers asked for this relief and I’m glad we’ll be able to provide it
to them,” said Walsh, R-Walla Walla. “This is an important step in the
right direction, but we still need to do more to help the farmers of our
state.”
House Bill 2424 also covers diesel fuel used for soil preparation, crop
cultivation and crop harvesting services. The exemption does not include
fuel used for home heating.
The bill contains an emergency clause and will take effect immediately
after passing both the state House and Senate and getting signed into
law by the governor.
Walsh also voted for House Bill 2370 that passed the state House and
Senate today. The measure would help low-income residents with
their energy costs by appropriating $7.6 million from the Public Service
Revolving Account to the Washington Utilities and Transportation
Commission, for use in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
during the 2005-07 biennium.
“I’m happy we’ll be able to provide assistance to those families who are
most in need, but more must be done. It’s time for our state to enact a
comprehensive plan to address its energy challenges,” said Walsh. “For
example, we must find ways to encourage the production and use of green
fuels, provide renewable electricity developers certainty, reward those
who embrace ‘smart grid’ implementation, and look into the possibility
of expanding our refinery capacity.”
If House Bill 2370 becomes law, approximately 14,000 households would
receive financial assistance and 350 homes would be winterized. It, too,
contains an emergency clause and will take effect immediately after
passing the state House and Senate and getting signed into law by the
governor.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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