April 11 - Hot List for State House

POSSIBLE HOUSE FLOOR ACTION

POSITION: SUPPORT (Concurrence)

This legislation would position Washington strongly to compete for future federal funds designated for Complete Streets. More than 100 agencies nationwide have implemented Complete Streets policies, including 16 states and six municipalities in Washington.
Rather than applying a cookie cutter design to every corridor, planners work with communities to develop project that are appropriate for various functions of the roadway. The result is a streetscape that is safer and more accessible for all users that promotes livable communities.

POSITION: SUPPORT (Concurrence)

This first-in-the-nation policy will eliminate the use of a toxic substance on our roads and parking lots, and encourage the application of cost-effective and readily available alternatives.
In a time of cuts and painful belt-tightening, this bill is a no-cost way to do something good for children’s health, for the environment, and for local governments struggling to control stormwater pollution.

POSITION: SUPPORT

This bill preserves jobs, reduces congestion, and protects the environment by authorizing King County to impose a temporary congestion reduction charge to provide emergency funding for our critical transit service.
Transit service faces a funding crisis in Washington State. Plummeting sales tax revenue is forcing transit agencies to slash service despite record-setting ridership.

POSITION: SUPPORT

With this bill the TransAlta coal plant will significantly cut its air pollution in 2013 and permanently shut its two boilers in 2020 and 2025. The bill is supported by TransAlta, the labor community, the Governor and environmental groups.
The bill also commits TransAlta to invest in Lewis County's economic development and in local energy efficiency projects. Gradually increased funding from CERB and PWB will contribute to community redevelopment, including reuse of reclaimed coal mine lands.

Ways and Means: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT

The most significant jobs-creator in front of the legislature, this bill will raise new revenue for clean water infrastructure by imposing a pollution fee upon oil. HB 1735 will provide ongoing funding for necessary projects that will reduce flooding and improve our communities.
A fee on oil will free up tens of million dollars to go to other important government functions. As you struggle to figure out how to balance the state budget, do not let oil companies off the hook: pollution fees are a fair and publicly-popular solution to a piece of our state’s budget crisis.

General Government Appropriations & Oversight: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: OPPOSE

This bill raises fees but trades away environmental protection, a significant net loss for streams and fish.
The bill requires understaffed agencies to take on major new administrative work “integrating” two sets of rules; WDFW loses its authority to ensure fish protection when major work is done in forest streams; and longer logging permits jeopardize timely, science-based improvements to logging practices on-the-ground.

Transportation: Public Hearing and Possible Executive Session
POSITION: OPPOSE

Any transportation revenue package, large or small, must make meaningful investments in the entire transportation system, including transit, bike & pedestrian, and stormwater cleanup. Unfortunately this bill raises $160 million and only allocates $8 million to transit, $2 million to bike & pedestrian, and $5 million for stormwater cleanup.
We support an amendment to increase the portion of funding for transit, non-motorized and local government stormwater projects.

Transportation: Public Hearing and Possible Executive Session
POSITION: OPPOSE

By imposing a $100 annual fee for electric vehicles, this bill sends a message discouraging consumers from buying non-gas powered vehicles. Because electric vehicles make up only a tiny fraction of the car market, ESSB 5251 will not raise a meaningful amount of revenue for roads.
At a time when the federal government and many states have enacted tax policies encouraging people to purchase electric vehicles, this bill is a backward step in our long term efforts to reduce our dependence upon foreign oil.

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