This session in Washington State, in the year of our Lord, 2023, has proven to be a glaring observation. The Democrats don’t want to fix homelessness. They don’t care about working families. They don’t care about our safety. I could go on and on and on. Take a look for yourself. Republicans introduced the bills below and because Democrats rule the roost (For Now), we lose big time in our community. It’s time to get up off that couch and get involved. Are you registered to vote? Do you know how to type? Do you have an extra couple of hours a month for a local school board meeting or Legislative District meeting in your area? These are simple things that can change the landscape of our region for the good of all. The easiest thing to do is email your legislators about these bills and ask why. Be a keyboard warrior. In spite of all of this, keep your mind on good things and have a great weekend.
House Bill 1000 would provide sales tax relief by expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Died.
House Bill 1000 would provide sales tax relief by expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Died.
· House Bill 1003 would expand access to dual credit programs. Died.
· · House Bill 1011 would repeal the unpopular long-term services and supports trust program and payroll tax. Died.
· House Bill 1013 would establish regional apprenticeship programs. Learn more here. Passed the House.
· · House Bill 1053 would restore the threshold to begin a vehicle pursuit to reasonable suspicion that a crime has or is being committed. Died. Learn more about another solution, House Bill 1363, here. See statements from Reps. Gina Mosbrucker and Eric Robertson here. Died, but companion — Senate Bill 5352 — passed the Senate.
· House Bill 1210 would require all school district board meetings to be audio recorded, with recordings kept for at least one year, and made available to the public. Passed the House.
· House Bill 1245 would authorize the splitting of lots to create more small parcels of land to build starter homes and other forms of affordable housing. Passed the House
· House Bill 1328 would increase funding to schools and families for students not meeting academic standards and begin to address the learning loss created by Gov. Inslee’s shutdown of schools. Learn more here. Died.
· House Bill 1373 would fund the removal of illegal encampments near schools, child care centers, parks, and courthouses. Died.
· House Bill 1380 would provide funding for the recruitment, retention and support of law enforcement officers. Did not receive a public hearing. Died.
· House Bill 1401 would allow cities and counties to create a simple, standardized housing permit process for affordable housing units in areas designated for housing. Learn more here. Died.
· House Bill 1402 would adjust urban growth boundaries to account for situations where property owners have not developed property as expected in comprehensive plans and development regulations. Learn more here. Died.
· House Bill 1415 would make the knowing possession of a controlled substance a gross misdemeanor offense under criminal violations of Title 69 RCW. Died.
· House Bill 1446 would incentivize cities and counties to increase employment of commissioned law enforcement officers. Died.
· House Bill 1483 would provide property tax relief by reducing both parts of the state school levies. Died.
· House Bill 1535 would increase legislative involvement in gubernatorial proclamations relating to a state of emergency (emergency powers reform). Learn more here. Died.
· House Bill 1615 would establish the Students First Program to fund education savings accounts for students whose needs are not being met in the public school system. Died.
· House Bill 1633 would create a Homes for Heroes Program and provide down payment assistance for heroic professions Washington state needs more of, including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and nurses. Died.
· House Bill 1682 would increase funding for preventing, investigating and prosecuting auto theft. Passed the House.
· House Bill 1704 would reduce the state sales and use tax rate. Died.
· House Bill 1720 would protect and restore riparian areas by establishing a voluntary, regionally focused riparian grant program designed to improve the ecological functions of critical riparian management zones. Learn more here. Died.