From LWVWA 1/23/22 Newsletter
Bills needing your action this week
Be involved. Legislators need to hear from you!
SB 5042 Concerning certain actions taken under the growth management act.
The Growth Management Act (GMA) was passed more than 30 years ago to assure that growth could be accommodated and but our farmland, forests, critical habitats, natural resources and critical areas could be retained into the future. As time has gone by, various amendments to the Act have been necessary to address previously unaddressed needs. One of those needs is addressed by SB 5042, concerning the effective date of certain actions taken under the GMA. This bill would close a loophole that has allowed for growth in rural landscapes inconsistent with the intentions of the GMA. The bill would require controversial land use changes by counties by be reviewed by the Growth Management Hearings Board before going into effect.
While this has not been a significant issue for much of western Washington, it has impacted some counties in eastern Washington. The LWV recommends passage of this bill. Please ask Senator Warnick to support passage of this bill.
SB 5769 Reforming the state tax system by providing tax relief to residents, employees, and employers.
On Tuesday this week, the Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade Committee will be holding a public hearing on SB 5769. This bill purports to benefit taxpayers in Washington State by reforming the tax structure and providing tax relief. What it actually does is remove revenue sources currently available to state and local governments by nullifying a large portion of the property tax, eliminating the business and occupation tax on manufacturing, and repealing the very recently adopted capital gains tax, as well as repealing the long-term care trust program.
State and local governments have still not caught up to the reductions made in the great recession more than 10 years ago and have many unmet needs. Removing funding at this time, rather than systematically addressing structure reform for equity while assuring sufficient funding for government needs is the wrong approach. The LWV recommends OPPOSING this bill.
Remotely sign in CON for the public hearing in the Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade Committee on Tuesday, January 25 at 8am.
UPDATES ON BILLS WE ADVISED ACTION
- HB 1876 Fiscal Impact of Ballot Measures: Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 8:00 AM January 26
- SHB 1156 /SB 5584 Increasing Representation & Voter Participation Local Options Bill: Stuck in committee.
- SB 5182 Repeal Advisory Votes: stuck in committee.
- HB 1919 Concerning recommendations by the public disclosure commission: Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 8:00 AM January 26
- SB 5560 Redistricting: Executive action taken on January 21 in the Senate Committee on State Government & Elections recommending passage. Not yet on floor schedule.
- HB 1630 Establishing restrictions on possession of weapons in certain locations: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary on January 21. Not yet on floor schedule.
- HB 1664 Concerning prototypical school formulas for physical, social, and emotional support in schools: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education on January 21. Not yet on floor schedule.
- SB 5568 Concerning preemption of municipal laws restricting the open carry of weapons: Scheduled for executive session January 27th in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
- HB 1485 Recognizing Women’s Suffrage Day as a legal holiday: Executive session scheduled January 13, but no action was taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations.
- HB 1652 Concerning conservation district elections: Stuck in committee.
Lots happening in the upcoming week. Read all about it in the LWV state newsletter here.
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