A message from Rep. Susan Fagan, transportation forums, education listening tour: Sept. 23, 2013

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It’s been very busy the past three weeks. Legislative meetings, local events and meetings and visiting with you and others have kept me crisscrossing the 9th District. Regardless of what issue you bring to my attention, I always keep your ideas, concerns and thoughts in mind as I prepare for the November committee days and the 2014 legislative session.

One topic that will generate a lot of discussion over the next few months will be a transportation tax package. As you know, a $10 billion tax package was proposed in the final days of the second special session. With it being rushed and incomplete, it was wise to let the plan die so we can work on something that can garner bipartisan support and actually addresses needs of cars, freight and job-creation efforts.

Below is more information on the tax package proposed in the Legislature and the list of bipartisan statewide forums on the issue. I hope you will be able to participate in one of them. I have also included local events and happenings I participated in over the past three weeks.

As always, I welcome your calls, e-mails and letters! Contact me anytime.

In service to you,

Susan Fagan

The proposed transportation tax package

A $10 billion transportation tax package was debated in the final days of the 153-day session, which included two special sessions taking us to the end of June. The governor has just announced that if the Legislature can come to agreement on a new tax package, he would call us into another special session during the Nov. 21 and 22 legislative committee days.

What a new, compromise tax plan will look like this fall, if one can be reached, is anyone’s guess. However, as a point of reference, the $10 billion transportation tax plan as proposed in the Legislature would have raised the additional funds as follows:

Statewide revenue source	12-year total
A gas tax increase of 10.5 cents per gallon phased in over one year	$3.76 billion
A passenger vehicle weight fee of $15, $25 or $35 (based on weight)	$1.4 billion
A weight fee increase for trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight	$120 million
A $5 fee for each vehicle registration not processed by a sub-agent and a $12 fee for each certificate of title transaction not processed by a sub-agent	$255 million
Various service fees on Department of Licensing transactions and a fee increase of $6 per year for an Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Identicard	$58 million
Elimination of handling loss deduction for licensed fuel suppliers, distributors and importers	$22 million
Redeployment of the 2012 fee increases	$841 million
Total tax package	$6.5 billion
Plus bond proceeds	$3.5 billion
Total tax package plus bonds	$10 billion

We can all agree we must preserve and update our state infrastructure to meet the needs of commuters, freight and our efforts of job creation. With this in mind, lawmakers may be able to reach a compromise, which could include some or all of the above taxing sources. There is no question that Washington needs key reforms that add to transparency and accountability in how transportation dollars are spent, and these must be part of advancing any transportation package. Again, what an agreed-upon plan might look like is unclear at this point. But, as someone concerned with the economic implications of new and higher taxes, I will be watching the developments closely. I will keep you up to date on any progress that is made.

Senate Transportation Leadership Forums

I hope you will join the discussion at one or more of these events taking place statewide. The details are as follows:

Sept. 23 – Wenatchee, 6-9 p.m.
Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801

Sept. 24 – Yakima, 6-9 p.m.
Yakima Area Arboretum, Garden View Room, 1401 Arboretum Dr., Yakima, WA 98901

Oct. 2 – Spokane Valley, 6-9 p.m. (This is an updated meeting location)
Central Valley High School theater, 821 S. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99037

Oct. 7 – Vancouver, 6-9 p.m.
Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St., Vancouver, WA 98660

Oct. 9 – Tacoma, 6-9 p.m.
Evergreen Tacoma Campus, Lyceum Hall, 1210 6th Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405

Oct. 14 – Seattle, 6-9 p.m.
King County Courthouse, Room 1001, 516 3rd Avenue, 10th Floor, Seattle, WA 98104

Oct. 15 – Bellingham, 6-9 p.m.
Port of Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225

**Two forums have taken place already – one in Bellevue and one in Everett.

If you cannot attend one of these forums but would like to submit comments, you can do so at this Web site: www.senatetranspofeedbackforum.org.

September is “fair month” in the 9th District

It has been fun participating in parades and fairs and supporting our 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) members at the junior livestock sales. It gives us reason to celebrate our rural heritage. Where would we be without the food our farmers efficiently and safely produce, not just for us but for people around the world?

And speaking of feeding the world, voters will have the chance to weigh in on Initiative 522 this fall, which will require the labeling of “genetically engineered” foods, also known as “GMO,” in Washington state. My hope is residents study this issue closely before voting this fall. It is a very complicated issue. You can read more about the initiative here. The Seattle Times printed two opinion pieces that offer differing views on the initiative, which you can read here:

Put education “listening tour” on your calendar

In October, I am hosting a listening tour to hear your comments and concerns about education issues and specifically about education funding. The 2013 legislative session produced additional funding for our K-12 system, and I need to hear from you just how well that’s working. As a matter of fact, Pullman Superintendent Paul Sturm told me this morning that the parameters the Legislature puts on funding can make it difficult for certain districts. Paul understands that with funding also comes accountability, so this is one topic we’ll be discussing during the tour. Office of Program Research staff responsible for preparing the budget – and explaining the budget – will join us. Dates for the tour are October 22-24; watch for times and locations in next week’s newsletter.

Thanks to Othello mayor and city council members

Earlier this month, Othello Mayor Tim Wilson gave me a tour of the city, showing me completed projects and locations for potential projects that are important for Othello’s growth and safety. In the 2013-2015 Operating Budget passed this year during session, the Legislature “swept” some of funds the Public Works Assistance Account. That account provides low-interest loans to municipalities, sewer and water districts and other governmental entities and is a key source of infrastructure funding for them. City leaders, including Mayor Wilson and council members Ken Johnson, Genna Dorow, Charles Garza, Ken Caylor, Mark Snyder, Dan Dever and Eugene Bain, expressed their concern over this action at the council meeting that evening.

Thanks also to chambers of the Tri-Cities for hosting legislative reception

This week, the Tri-Cities area chambers gathered at the Port of Pasco to visit with legislators from the 8th, 9th and 13th legislative districts. It was good to see so many from all walks of life in the business community. Funding for the new Delta High School, to be built in West Pasco, was secured in the Capital Budget this year, and the communities are pleased that Delta will be able to grow and serve students from all three cities.

Congratulations to Adams County Auditor Nancy McBroom

Please join the Auditor’s Office staff and many community members in wishing Adams County Auditor Nancy McBroom a happy and fulfilling retirement. Nancy has served Adams County with dedication, loyalty and lots of energy. The celebration will be held in the Public Works Conference Room, 210 W. Alder in Ritzville, this Wednesday, September 25. Hope to see you there!

Much more to share . . . and I promise to get back on my weekly schedule. Enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

State Representative Susan Fagan
9th Legislative District

E-mail: susan.fagan@leg.wa.gov
Web site: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/fagan

406 John L. O’Brien Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7942 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000