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MacEwen bill to save state Christmas tree crop becomes law

House Bill 1209, sponsored by Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, was signed into law April 25. The law extends a program that licenses state tree growers and protects their harvest. Without this program, if the state Christmas tree crop were to become infested, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) could quarantine an entire season of growth. The current law would have ended the program in 2014 and now it will go through 2020.

“Statewide, the forest industry provides more than 100,000 jobs. It is clear this industry is critical for our economy and jobs. The forest industry is critical to my district and it employs more than 3,000 people in Mason County alone,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “I am happy to have helped save our Christmas tree crop should an infestation ever become a problem.”

House Bill 1209 was the first law on the books for MacEwen, who is a freshmen legislator. The regular session ended April 28 and the special session will begin on May 13. MacEwen is the assistant Ranking Republican on House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Capital Budget Committee. He also serves as assistant whip for the House Republican Caucus.

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Angel: Approved transportation budget contains Tacoma Narrows Bridge financing study

The transportation budget bill passed April 28 by the Legislature directs a work group to be convened to study refinance options for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Rep. Jan Angel said today.

During the 105-day session, Angel offered several bills and amendments to protect motorists from increased tolls on the Narrows Bridge, including selling naming rights, extending financing, and returning toll-setting authority to the Legislature. Majority House Democrats defeated the toll-setting amendment and refused to allow her other bills to advance. However, Angel said a provision was placed in the final transportation measure, Senate Bill 5024, which would allow refinance options for the bridge to be investigated.

“We need to have something in place that would prevent tolls from increasing every year on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Our economy is still very fragile and that is amplified by the federal sequestration cuts that deeply affect our military families in the Kitsap Peninsula who use the bridge. Many families still struggling in this economy rely on the bridge to get to and from work. We simply cannot afford higher and higher tolls,” said Angel, R-Port Orchard.

“I was disappointed the many options I proposed were rejected by the majority party. However, I am thrilled that the final transportation budget included this component that will have bridge refinancing options studied,” she said. “This is the same review I requested last year from the Joint Transportation Commission, and now we have the opportunity under this provision to look into those options and see how we can permanently keep toll rates from rising.”

The provision in Senate Bill 5024 states: “The Joint Transportation Committee shall convene a work group to identify and evaluate internal refinance opportunities for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The study must include a staff work group, including staff from the Office of Financial Management, the Transportation Commission, the Department of Transportation, the Office of the State Treasurer, and the legislative transportation committees. The Joint Transportation Committee shall issue a report of its findings to the House of Representatives and the Senate Transportation Committees by Dec. 31, 2013.”

The state Transportation Commission has proposed to increase Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll rates by 25 cents, beginning July 1, which would bring the price to $4.25 for electronic (“Good to Go”) tolling, $5.25 at the toll-booth, and $6.25 for pay-by-mail. The tolls would increase by another 25 cents on July 1, 2014.

On April 19, Angel introduced Amendment 386 that would have kept the Legislature in charge of toll- and ferry-fare setting authority as intended under voter-approved Initiative 1185. The amendment was rejected. The final bill, which was sent to the governor Sunday, includes language that returns toll-setting authority to the state Transportation Commission.

“While we and the voters who approved Initiative 1185 lost that battle, this new study will keep the discussion open and, hopefully, allow us to find ways during the 2014 legislative session to prevent future toll increases on the bridge. So I still see that as a victory for our citizens in the 26th District,” added Angel, who voted in favor of the final transportation budget.

The state Transportation Commission has scheduled a final public hearing on the new toll rates for May 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St.

The Legislature adjourned its regular 105-day session Sunday. Gov. Inslee has called a special session, beginning May 13, for the Legislature to complete its business of adopting a two-year state operating budget.

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O’Ban-Angel bill to assist veterans with employment search sent to governor

A measure to give military men and women the ability to apply for private-sector jobs prior to separation with their branch of service passed the state Senate unanimously today and will become law with the governor’s signature. The idea for House Bill 1537, co-sponsored by Reps. Steve O’Ban and Jan Angel, was brought to the lawmakers by a local veteran.

House Bill 1537 would move up the timeframe service members could apply for and be considered for civilian jobs and receive the preferential benefit before their service ends. This change would allow service men and women to accept a job in the private sector prior to their separation from the military and would potentially eliminate months of unemployment for our service members. This changes current law, which requires the service member to be fully separated from the military before receiving the preferential hiring benefit.

“There will be thousands of service members who will be searching for work as troop levels are lowered and budget reductions take place,” said O’Ban, R-Pierce County and father of two sons serving in the United States Army, one of whom is graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June. “Allowing our service men and women to apply for a job before they leave the armed forces is absolutely the right thing to do. It’s just one more way to extend a helping hand to those who serve us so valiantly.”

Pierce County is home to roughly 88,000 veterans and countless military men and women who are still serving the country.

“With federal sequestration cuts beginning to take effect, I think this bill is more important than ever, because some of our service men and women could be returning home earlier than expected,” said Angel, R-Port Orchard. “We need to give them as much support as possible toward transitioning to a civilian life, and that includes providing a head start toward gainful employment, which this legislation would do.”

The bill will now be forwarded to the governor for signature. The 2013 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn April 28.
For more information, visit our Web site at: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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Angel telephone town hall meeting draws thousands, provides answers

Nearly 3,800 people throughout the 26th District joined Rep. Jan Angel last Thursday, March 14, for her telephone town hall meeting, and as many as 378 stayed on the line during the hour-long call.

“When I saw those numbers, I could hardly believe my eyes,” said Angel, R-Port Orchard. “This technology gave me the ability to reach a lot of people throughout the district in a short amount of time. Many of those on the call thanked me, because it gave them the ability to participate from the comfort of their homes and provide input about issues in state government they care about.”

Angel also conducted three “instant results” surveys, in which callers were able to vote using the keypads of their telephones. Here are the results:

1. “Do you support Fund Education First legislation which would require the Legislature to pass a separate, stand-alone K-12 education budget before any other state appropriations?”
Yes – 50 percent
No – 24 percent
Not sure – 26 percent

2. “Democrats have proposed a 10-cent increase for each gallon of gas you purchase. Would you be willing to pay 10 cents more a gallon to help pay for transportation projects in the state?”

Yes – 10 percent
No – 83 percent
Not sure – 7 percent

3. “Would you be in favor of extending the time it takes to pay off the construction costs of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge if it would ensure tolls would never be increased again?”

Yes – 85 percent
No – 8 percent
Not sure – 7 percent

“I was particularly interested in the last question pertaining to the Narrows Bridge tolls because I have introduced legislation that would keep the rates at their current levels throughout the time it takes to pay off the construction costs,” said Angel. “These answers and the input I received during the telephone town hall meeting will be very helpful to me as I’m voting on issues affecting the 26th District.”

Angel noted that in addition to her call-in teleforum, she’s always interested in hearing from citizens at any time. 

“That’s one of the reasons I try to spend as much time in the district, attending group events and meeting face-to-face with individuals. Representative government works best when we hear from the people we serve. That’s why this telephone town hall was so successful,” added Angel.

 Angel can be contacted through her Olympia office at (360) 786-7964 or via e-mail through her Web site at:

www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Angel. For more information, visit our Web site at: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov.

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Rep. Drew MacEwen response to the state revenue forecast
‘Enough is enough – no new taxes are needed,’ MacEwen says

The Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council today released its quarterly revenue forecast for the 2011-13 biennium and the 2013-15 biennium. The council is projecting a $19.1 million decrease in expected revenues for the 2013-15 biennium, primarily due to federal sequestration reductions, reinstatement of the federal payroll tax, and a state economy that remains fragile. The forecast has also been reduced by $48.7 million for the 2015-17 biennium. An improved trend in housing construction and sales is expected to help buffer against further revenue reductions.

“Today’s revenue forecast is not a surprise. There is growth, though not as much as we hoped for, and it is slow. However, new taxes could easily derail any improvement. Asking citizens to send more money to Olympia and Washington, D.C. will not return dollars to the local economy,” said Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, who serves on the Business and Financial Services Committee.

“Taking more money from hardworking taxpayers rather than prioritizing our budget is unacceptable. House and Senate Democrats have already proposed more than $10 billion in new taxes and its time we say ‘enough is enough’. Our state leadership should be following the example of former Governor Gary Locke,” MacEwen said. In his 2002 address, Locke made the statement:

‘We are convinced there is a better way. This year, we decided not to start with current spending to try to meet the forecasted revenue. Instead, we decided to look at how we should be spending our state’s money in the first place. We are looking at what matters most to Washington citizens. We are focusing on results that people want and need, prioritizing those results, and funding those results with the money we have.’

“Our citizens have dealt with a depressed economy by tightening their belts and prioritizing. The state should be doing the same. My fellow Republicans and I have offered solutions that will create jobs and strengthen our economy without new taxes. We have also put out an education budget that allocates well over $500 million more for education without additional taxes,” MacEwen said. “Creating a budget that addresses priorities without asking for even more money from our citizens is not only possible, it is necessary.

As a member of the House Transportation Committee,  I know firsthand the challenges our state transportation system faces, the shrinking dollars from the gas tax as cars become more fuel efficient, and the growing inflation that takes more of a bite each year from construction dollars for transportation. There’s no escaping the fact that it takes money to keep our roads, highways, bridges and ferries operating and maintained. And it takes money to expand our state’s transportation system to relieve congestion and ensure the efficient movement of goods and people. That’s why a proposal was recently introduced in the House to raise the state’s gas tax by 10-cents a gallon, along with several other bills that could substantially increase motor vehicle taxes and fees.

I have never insulated myself within the marble walls that make up the state Capitol. Every chance I get, I return home to the 26th District to talk with people and make sure I get a dose of reality outside of Olympia. The reality is – people are still struggling. We have a very fragile economy and high unemployment.

We also have a large population of active military and civilians who work for the military. There’s much uncertainty about their economic future as Congress quibbles while sequestration sets in. That’s at the federal level, not the state level where I serve. I share your concerns and frustration that Congress and the president would allow our military servicemen and women to hang in the balance of an inability to reach a budget agreement. That’s a discussion for your congressman. But any cuts from sequestration would certainly affect our local citizens’ ability to keep afloat in this challenging economy. Now is not the time to be adding to their burden.

Every time I drive by or stop at a gas station, prices are up another 10- to 15-cents a gallon. People are only buying what they can afford. How can we ask them for more? Washington motorists already pay the second highest state gas tax in the nation – 37.5 cents a gallon. Another dime a gallon would push our state to the highest gas tax in the United States.

I have tried to keep an open mind, because the state barely has the revenue to keep up with maintenance and operations of our existing highways and bridges. However, I also believe there’s lots of room for reforms within the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

For example, did you know that it costs two-and-a-half times more to build a road, highway or bridge in Washington than in other states, such as Idaho and Oregon? Why is that?

Why is it that taxpayers are getting stuck with the extra expenses of fixing leaky pontoons for the new 520 floating bridge across Lake Washington?

Why does it cost twice as much to build a ferry in Washington than in other states with ferries, such as Massachusetts?

How could WSDOT miscalculate where to build a ramp on Highway 16 – and then had to tear it down and start all over?

We have a broken system and there’s plenty of room for reform BEFORE going into taxpayers’ pockets. We need to FIX IT BEFORE WE FUND IT!

Before I support new revenue for transportation, I want to know it will be put to good use to ensure our state’s economic growth.

For example, the unfinished link of Highway 167 between Puyallup and the Port of Tacoma could expand freight mobility, reduce congestion and create many new jobs. For years, we’ve been promised funding to complete the Highway 167 link. Yet, it is always put at the bottom of the barrel. This latest gas tax plan includes funding a portion of Highway 167. Really, the writers of this proposal are just throwing us a bone in a feeble attempt to garner our support. I have joined with our Pierce County legislative delegation, both Republicans and Democrats, to say we must have Highway 167 totally funded before we consider supporting any state gas tax increases or new fees.

This plan should not just ask for your hard-earned money, it should demand reforms, and deliver major economic transportation projects that create private-sector jobs. Otherwise, an increase in the state gas tax would be more harmful than helpful to our citizens. And I won’t support adding new burdens to the already difficult challenges being faced by our people in the 26th District.

For more information, visit our Web site at: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov.


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O’Ban-Angel veterans’ employment assistance legislation
passes state House

House Bill 1537, proposed by Reps. Steve O’Ban and Jan Angel to help military men and women transition from their jobs in the armed services to those in the private sector, passed the Washington State House of Representatives unanimously today.

Current law requires the service member to be fully separated from the military before receiving the preferential hiring benefit. House Bill 1537 would move up the timeframe service members could apply for and be considered for civilian jobs and receive the preferential benefit before their service ends. This change would allow service men and women to accept a job in the private sector prior to their separation from the military and would eliminate potentially months of unemployment for our service members.

“This bill is about easing the transition of our military men and women into civilian life, like those of the Third Stryker Brigade I welcomed home recently. Helping them move more seamlessly from military work to a job in the private sector will be of enormous help.” said O’Ban, R-Pierce County, who has two sons serving in the United States Army at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). “There are many leaving the service of their country who cannot afford a gap in employment, so my hope is this change in the law gives them some piece of mind.”

“One of our servicemen in Bremerton brought this problem forward to me this past summer,” said Angel, R-Port Orchard. “I am honored to be able to help our veterans in this fashion, and get them working and integrated back into our communities as soon as possible.”

O’Ban also authored House Joint Resolution 4624 honoring the return and service of the troops of the Third Stryker Brigade at JBLM. The resolution was approved in a voice vote by the House of Representatives Feb. 20. Four members of the Brigade, including the colonel, were in attendance.

House Bill 1537 will now be forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.

For more information, visit our Web site at: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov.

Since being sworn in, freshmen legislator Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, has made supporting the agricultural and forest industry a top priority. Four bills that impact these industries passed off the House floor this week. House Bills 1245, 1244, 1243, and 1663 all address agriculture or forestry needs; and passed with strong bipartisan support. Three of the five bills passed unanimously.

“In Mason County more than 3,800 people are employed by the forest industry. Statewide, agriculture employs about 160,000 people. Anything we can do to support the agriculture and forest industries helps our state’s bottom line. High unemployment in our state continues to be a problem and we must find a solution,” MacEwen said. “By promoting and supporting these industries we improve our economy and help get Washington working.”

The four bills help in a multitude of way, including: conservation of roads and trails; flexibility in timber sales; extension of exemptions for the use of forest derived biomass as fuel; preservation of recreational areas; and disposal of derelict vessels which impacts the shellfish industry.

“I’m happy that we have passed bills that take positive steps to protect the environment and jobs,” MacEwen said.

 For more information, visit our Web site at: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov.

See Rep. MacEwen’s floor speech in support of House Bill 1245 at: http://youtu.be/lMWEtI4nY1Q

KITSAP COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY RESOLUTION

AFFIRMING OUR UNALIENABLE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS

WHEREAS, the Kitsap County Republican Party supports the Second Amendment of our nation’s Bill of Rights without reservation;

WHEREAS, every law-abiding United States citizen the unalienable right to keep and bear arms;

WHEREAS, this right, and all others delineated within our Constitution’s Bill of Rights, cannot be infringed upon if we are to remain a free people;

WHEREAS, the Second Amendment is intended to be the guardian of all of our freedoms as American citizens; it is our protection from tyranny; and

WHEREAS, the right to keep and bear arms affords society’s meekest members the means to defend themselves from its most nefarious; therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kitsap County Republican Party steadfastly stands in opposition to any new laws, either federal or state, which would further limit or restrict this fundamental freedom in any way; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call for the vigorous enforcement of existing laws, swift and severe punishment for violations thereof, and a thorough review of the effectiveness of both our mental health systems and “gun-free zones”.

Resolved this 4th day of March, 2013 in Silverdale, Washington by the Kitsap County Republican Party’s Executive Board.

Angel invites citizen input during telephone town meeting March 14

Rep. Jan Angel is inviting citizens from throughout the 26th Legislative District to join her for a telephone town hall meeting on Thursday, March 14, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 The program is similar to a call-in radio talk show in which people may call and ask questions over the telephone, and participate in surveys.

 “This is an opportunity to reach thousands of people across the 26th District and join them in a community conversation about the issues in the Legislature that may affect them. We are just past the halfway point of the scheduled 105-day session and by the time we connect in this telephone town hall meeting, lawmakers in the House of Representatives will have voted on hundreds of bills,” noted Angel, R-Port Orchard. “It’s a great time to provide an update and also hear from citizens whether the Legislature is on track with their wishes or if it needs a course correction.”

 Citizens may participate in the event by dialing toll-free, 1-877-229-8493, and entering PIN code 15472 when prompted.

 “This is a great way to participate in your government, and what is more convenient than doing it from the comfort of your home? I encourage people to pick up the phone and get involved in our community conversation,” said Angel.

 For more information, contact Angel’s office at (360) 786-7967, or go to her Web site at: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/jan-angel.

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Angel introduces legislation to prevent future toll increases on Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Rep. Jan Angel, R-Port Orchard, has introduced a measure that would maintain the current price of tolls on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge until financing for the structure is completely re-paid. The bill would allow tolls to be maintained, but not increased, until such time as all loans and debt are paid on the bridge.

“I’ve been looking for ways to keep toll rates from rising and satisfy the state’s responsibility to repay the debt on the Narrows Bridge. The tolls were deferred early in the project, which later resulted in higher increases. And now, this week, the state Transportation Commission received a recommendation from the bridge’s citizen advisory committee that it should raise tolls again by twenty-five cents in July. Under the current financing structure, tolls would likely go up every single year, and we don’t know where the high end of this is going to be,” said Angel, a member of the House Transportation Committee. “Our local commuters cannot afford future annual toll increases. My goal with this legislation would be to maintain the tolls we have and avoid yearly increases.”

Tolls are currently $4 for electronic collection, $5 at the toll booths, and $6 for pay-by-mail.

The bill would create a Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account in the motor vehicle fund of the state treasury to receive deposits of toll charges, investment interest, proceeds from the sale of surplus real property acquired for building the second bridge, and any other revenues associated with the bridge. Money from the account could only be used to repay the financing of the bridge, as well as costs involved with the direct financing, operation, maintenance, management and necessary repairs of the structure.

The measure would cap the yearly amount of debt service repayment from the toll bridge account to $60 million. Any additional debt service costs would be covered by a loan from the state’s motor vehicle excise account. Angel says the state would continue tolling on the bridge until the loan is paid in full, but toll charges would not increase.

“This is like extending a home mortgage. If you have a fifteen-year mortgage and you don’t want that payment to go up because of different escrow costs, you could extend that mortgage out to twenty or twenty-five years, but keep the payment the same.” noted Angel, a former Realtor and banker. “Under this plan, the tolls remain unchanged, but continue until the costs of the second bridge are paid off.”

The measure was submitted late Thursday, but had not yet been assigned a bill number. The 26th District lawmaker expects the legislation would likely be referred to the House Transportation Committee for consideration.

For more information, visit our Web site at: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov.

Angel seeks House committee support of veterans’ jobs bill

A bill that would accelerate public employment preferences for veterans returning home from war or armed conflict received a public hearing Wednesday in the House Government Operations and Elections Committee.

Under current law, veterans who have served during a period of war or armed conflict may claim a preference in public employment upon separation from the military. House Bill 1537, co-sponsored by Rep. Jan Angel, R-Port Orchard, would allow veterans to claim the preference upon receipt of separation orders.

The change in state law is important, said Keith C. Cianco, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class and a Bremerton resident. Cianco told the committee that even though he had received his separation orders from the military, he was not allowed to claim the preference percentage points on his civil service examination scores when applying in 2009 for employment with law enforcement because the separation had not been formalized.

“As such, I was noncompetitive. Those ahead of me on the list had the ten points granted to wartime veterans because we had been at war for over ten years. Even such, those with five points for only having completed a single enlistment and never having left the country also were ahead of me on the list,” said Cianco. “The civil service examination is your foot in the door. That’s the first hurdle you have to pass over to be able to get through the rest of the hiring process.”

Angel said the bill would help veterans who have struggled to secure jobs after returning home from active duty.

“Unfortunately, our economic situation here at home has not been that good. Thousands of people are out of work and others have given up finding jobs because of this difficult economy. This is the reality that our veterans face as well,” said Angel. “House Bill 1537 is an important step to show our returning troops we appreciate their service.”

The measure would also provide a 10 percentage point boost on civil service examinations for anyone who has served during a period of war or armed conflict. The bill now awaits committee action.

For more information, visit our Web site at: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov.

“Without this program, if the state Christmas tree crop were to become infested, with gypsy moth or another disease, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) could quarantine the entire harvest,” MacEwen said. “Basically an entire season could be lost by USDA regulation. Since 75 percent of our trees are exported, there could be a lot of unhappy people nationwide in December.”

MacEwen’s bill would extend the program, which is currently in place until 2014 through 2020. Supporting the forestry industry is crucial to MacEwen, and his district, which is why he decided to sponsor this legislation.

“In Mason County alone, 3,897 people are employed by the forestry industry. Statewide the impact of this industry is huge – it provides more than 118,000 jobs and $5.3 billion in wages. We need the forestry industry to thrive because it is important to our state economy,” MacEwen said.