February 9, 2009

Dear friends and neighbors,

I want to thank everyone who has come to testify on a variety of bills. Water week and testimony were great. Though there are concerns on both sides of the stock watering and water rights, I hope we can
come together and address the issues this year. We need to bring economic vitality back to our state, and agriculture is a huge part of that. My goal is for farms to have the flexibility they need to be successful and profitable in our state.

On Monday, Calvin Green from Eka Chemicals in Moses Lake came to testify on House Bill 1062. This would eliminate the sunset clause for the state's public utility tax exemption for electrolytic processing businesses. Eka Chemicals employs more than 30 people, and needs this continuing tax exemption with the economic downturn and tripled electricity costs. I will keep you updated on the bill.

This coming Friday, Feb. 13, we will have a public hearing on the tax exemption for horse and calf boarders. House Bill 1232 will be heard in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee at 1:30 p.m. in House Hearing Room B. If you would like to testify, please visit the Legislature's Web site for information about visiting the capitol campus.

Last Week In Review:

Monday
The House passed our first supplemental budget. I voted "yes" to reduce spending in the budget more than $300 million. While it was a small step, I laud the efforts to prevent a raise in taxes.

Tuesday
The cap and trade proposal was heard in Ecology and Parks. (See below for more information)

Wednesday
The Commerce and Labor Committee heard House Bill 1906 to tap into the unemployment trust fund and give increased benefits to those who are unemployed. I have concerns that the business community, already suffering from high taxes, could be taxed further if we don't manage how we "let the water out of the pool."
 
Thursday
Ways and Means, the primary budget committee in the House, heard a proposal to consolidate state general fund accounts. I co-sponsored House Bill 1902, which would bring more transparency to the budgeting process for the public. 
 
Friday
We voted on House Bill 1906 on the floor of the House. I voted 'yes' on this proposal to help out the many residents in our state who are struggling to make ends meet while they search for a job. Meanwhile, I hope the majority party looks at another proposal to make things more fair for employers in the future.

House Bill 1819, Cap and Trade

Many of you contacted me last year about Senate Bill 6900, a measure to levy a tax based on the size of your engine, in order to reduce carbon emissions. While this bill has not yet been introduced this year, there is another proposal that is equally concerning.

It's House Bill 1819, creating a statewide cap and trade system. The way they raise money in the cap and trade system may be a little different than Senate Bill 6900, but the approach is the same: increasing costs of everyday activities and necessities, such as fuel and electricity, to control our behavior and get us out of our cars. It would also require costly home renovations families cannot afford.

The cap and trade bill caps the amount of carbon that may be emitted - by activities such as energy production and manufacturing jobs  – and requires you and I to pay the government to continue living and doing business in our state. It’s called “cap and trade,” but it’s actually “cap and tax.”

The worst part of this new “cap and tax” scheme is it’s a false promise. This bill will actually have a detrimental effect on our economy. By driving up the cost of energy and manufacturing in Washington, we will force jobs and energy production to other states that burn more fossil fuels than Washington’s cleaner hydroelectric-based economy. Washington emits only three-tenths of 1 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Our state can’t solve global warming on its own with this type of regulatory scheme. It will only increase costs on families and send jobs to other states.

If you thought Senate Bill 6900 is bad, please keep a close eye on the cap and trade bill. This measure will be moving quickly with very little discussion or public input, limited fiscal impact information and minimal details on how the programs in the bill will be implemented. It’s an expensive measure that will cost our state jobs, and cost you and me a lot of money.

My goal is to keep you updated on legislation as it goes through the process and encourage your involvement in the process. Please feel free to call or e-mail me. My contact information is at the top.  

Sincerely,

Rep. Judy Warnick
13th District State Representative

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