Author Archives: Laudan

Make your voice heard – Public hearings on 3 initiatives

Greetings From Olympia,

We’re in the home stretch of the 2024 legislative session. The Senate is moving from committees to floor votes on bills that have come over from the House. Now that both chambers have put out initial proposals, we’re also hammering out details on the state’s three supplemental budgets (Operating, Capital, and Transportation).

There are still significant policy discussions to be had this session. As you may have heard, this is a historic year with 6 initiatives to the Legislature that have been certified. Majority leadership initially said none of these proposals would receive public hearings, instead going directly to the voters in November. However, in some surprising news, the public will have a chance to provide their input on 3 of the initiatives during the legislative process.

Over 800,000 of your fellow Washingtonians took the time to petition their government directly with these initiatives. I am glad that at least half of them are being heard, giving the public a chance to weigh in as part of the legislative process.

Below are some short summaries of what all the initiatives will do and links to how you can lend your voice to the discussion in Olympia. Whether you support or oppose them, my job is to represent you, and your input is valued. Please click on the links below to participate. There are options to testify in-person, remotely, in writing, or to simply sign in noting your position but not wishing to testify.

Sincerely,

Ron Muzzall

Your 10th District State Senator

How to participate

Click here to sign in about Initiative 2111 – BAN A PERSONAL INCOME TAX

Public hearing begins at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Click here to sign in about Initiative 2081 – PARENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS

Public hearing begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

Click here to sign in about Initiative 2113 – REASONABLE POLICE PURSUIT

Public hearing begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the Senate Law & Justice Committee.

Six Initiatives to the Legislature in 2024

Initiative 2113 – REASONABLE POLICE PURSUIT. I-2113 is aimed at restoring reasonable police pursuits of criminals and suspects.
Initiative 2117 – REPEAL THE CLIMATE COMMITMENT ACT CARBONTAX. I-2117 would repeal the nearly 50 cent/gallon gas tax created by the Washington Climate Commitment Act. The program has brought $1.8 billion into government but has done little to nothing to help the environment. It functions as a hidden gas tax, with no support for our roads.
Initiative 2081 – PARENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS. I-2081 would create greater government transparency and require schools and health-care providers to inform parents or legal guardians of services provided to a minor child.
Initiative 2109 – REPEAL THE CAPITAL GAINS INCOME TAX. I-2109 would get rid of the state’s capital gains tax. As a revenue source, it’s highly volatile and unreliable to fund critical state programs.
Initiative 2111 – BAN A PERSONAL INCOME TAX. I-2111 would ban a personal income tax in Washington. The people have said no to an income tax 11 straight times.
Initiative 2124 – END MANDATORY PAYROLL TAX. I-2124 would give Washingtonians the choice not to participate in the state’s so-called “long-term care” benefit, which is funded through a mandatory payroll tax. This initiative would give Washington workers the choice to opt out of this program if it does not work for them and their families.

Please click here for additional information.

Muzzall bill gives economic boost for habitat preservation

State Sen. Ron Muzzall believes that caring for Washington’s environment is a collaborative effort, needing private landowners to fill in gaps. The state’s Forestry Riparian Easement Program was designed to compensate landowners with small forests for the value of trees unharvested to protect critical habitat.

The Senate today passed Muzzall’s legislation, Senate Bill 5667, which makes significant changes to the program, giving small forest landowners more value for keeping lands forested.

“I’m an active environmentalist and these kinds of programs are effective and voluntary ways to get private landowners more engaged in our state’s conservation efforts,” said Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor. “We need to get our rates up because while the program has seen successes there’s more we can do with the help of private landowners to bolster stewardship of our natural resources.”

Approved unanimously by the state Senate, the proposal would provide 90% of the value of timber, up from 50%. It would also lower lease terms by 10 years and boost compensation for tree slopes with stability problems. Qualifying timber on those lands would see an increase from $50,000 to $150,000.

During public testimony on the legislation, the state Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the program, said participants are only receiving a little more than 60% of the value of their timber.

“We can’t rightly expect to keep these valuable lands in the program if our numbers are so far off,” Muzzall added. “I think we strike the right balance with this proposal so that small forest landowners will continue to support this critical work.”

The proposal now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Muzzall says failure of $6 billion property tax legislation a win for affordability

OLYMPIA… The prime sponsor of what would have been the largest tax increase in state history has said the proposal, Senate Bill 5770, won’t be getting a vote this year. Senate Republicans have been sounding the alarm on the legislation that would allow local governments to triple the growth of property taxes without a vote of the people. State Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor issued the following statement.

“I asked my constituents for their input and if they can afford this kind of tax increase and like we saw during the public hearings, the overwhelming majority of people say that it’s just too much. We are seeing unsustainable levels of government greed, pushing up prices on housing, groceries, and energy. This proposal would only make matters worse for struggling Washingtonians and its failure is a big win for affordability in our state.

“The people expect us to budget wisely with their tax dollars and taking $6 billion out of the economy to grow government even more is simply tone deaf. Couple that with the fact that the legislation would also allow those exorbitant increases without a vote of the people, I’m glad that the majority party came to their senses.”

$6 Billion Property Tax Hike

One of the most contentious bills before the Legislature this year is Senate Bill 5770, which will triple the allowable annual growth rate of your local property taxes. This means local governments would be able to increase your property taxes by up to 3% WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL. This will cost hardworking taxpayers $6 billion over 12 years and would compound from there.

The current 1% cap was approved by voters with Initiative 737 in 2001, however, the state Supreme Court invalidated it prompting then Gov. Gregoire to call a special session. The Legislature reinstated the 1% limit with nearly 85% of the House and Senate supporting it. Unfortunately, the proposal before us now would undo the will of the people.

Not only will this increase your property taxes if you are a homeowner, but it will also increase your rent when building owners pass the tax on to tenants. It would also increase costs at senior living centers. People can’t afford this amid a housing affordability crisis, especially while also paying higher prices on gas and home heating fuel thanks to other policies supported by the legislative majority.

I am opposed to this proposal because I can’t in good conscience add even more to the cost of living that our communities are experiencing but would like to know what you think.

More than 9,300 people signed in to testify on SB 5770 when it was heard in committee. More than 92% OPPOSED increasing their property taxes.

There are plans to run the bill on the Senate floor sometime tomorrow. We will hold a news conference at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 8. If you cannot attend, you can watch the news conference live on TVW by clicking here.

You can also watch it live on our Facebook and X accounts @WashingtonSRC.

Senate ag leaders issue statement on passing of Department of Fish and Wildlife employee

Earlier this week the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that a member of their team tragically passed away in the performance of her duties. After failing to check back with her team on the night of Jan. 23, Mary Valentine was reported missing the next morning to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Valentine was a scientist with DFW and had been working on a fish trap on the Duckabush River where her body was found.

Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee, Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D- Lake Sutherland, and the ranking Republican, Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, issued the following statement.

“We are saddened by the tragic loss of Ms. Valentine and our hearts go out to her family and colleagues at DFW. Her passion for helping preserve and protect our environment won’t be forgotten. We know that WDFW has worked to improve their safety program along with funding from the Governor’s budget, but we believe we need to go further.

“WDFW needs to have safety people on the ground ensuring all procedures are followed, especially when dangerous activities are being conducted. While we don’t know at this time if it would have made a difference for Ms. Valentine, the days of WDFW employees entering rivers by themselves in a boat without a safety plan in place need to end. The safety of our public employees is paramount.”

Senate approves Muzzall health-care workforce legislation

Washington state is facing critical workforce shortages across various industries, and the lack of employees is being acutely felt in hospitals, clinics and medical practices.

State Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, has been working to fill these gaps by sponsoring legislation that aims to ease regulatory burdens for licensed practitioners from other states.

Senate Bill 5815, which was approved unanimously by the Senate today, would enact a physician assistant (PA) licensure compact. This would allow licensed PAs from other states in the compact to practice medicine in Washington.

“We need all the providers we can get,” said Muzzall. “Joining this compact will bring high-quality health-care professionals into our workforce at a critical time. I’m hopeful the House will act quickly on this proposal to expand access for patients across our state.”

Under Muzzall’s proposal, physician assistants would be required to adhere to all current state standards in addition to meeting other administrative requirements, such as not having any felony or misdemeanor convictions.

The compact concept is an industry-led initiative that began in 2019. As of this year, three states already have approved compact legislation and bills have been filed in seven states, including Washington.

The proposal now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Final capital budget includes Muzzall push for $30 million for district schools

One day remains in the 2023 legislative session and details are emerging on the final versions of various state budgets. State Sen. Ron Muzzall is touting significant investments for local projects in the 10th District in the state’s capital construction budget, particularly nearly $30 million for Oak Harbor schools.

Muzzall had earlier announced his work to include the needed funding to help construct new elementary schools in Oak Harbor. With the state’s strong investment finalized, matching federal dollars can now flow to the proposed school construction projects totaling over $100 million.

“Working with my colleagues across the aisle and in the state House, this needed investment for our children’s education is closer to becoming reality,” said Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor. “I’m absolutely thrilled that these resources will be available for our community and that the fifth generation of the Muzzall family will get a strong public education in these new facilities.”

The district is now eligible for an additional $55.9 million for early learning and $53.9 million for elementary schools in federal funds. The state will provide $13.9 million toward the Oak Harbor Early Learning Center, which houses early-learning programs for children ages 3-5 and other special education programs for the district’s youngest learners. Another $13.6 million is allocated to Crescent Harbor Elementary School. The La Conner School District will receive just over $1.5 million for its capital budget projects.

The state’s capital budget also includes funding for various environmental, conservation, recreational and other community-based projects.

Significant investments include:

$2.75 million for Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue Station 53 (Coupeville)
$1.9 million for Diking District 7 Fish Passage and Levee (Stanwood)
$1 million for Skagit County Voluntary Stewardship

A complete list of 10th District projects totaling nearly $60 million can be found by clicking here.

Joint, End of Session Virtual Town Hall

Friends,

The 2023 legislative session is coming to a close. I’ll be sending out an in-depth update on where we’ve landed with the budget and my perspective on pressing policy issues, but I wanted to invite you to get some information at our upcoming virtual town hall.

I’ll be holding a joint community meeting with my House counterparts, Rep. Paul and Shavers on Tuesday, May 2 at 6PM. Mount Vernon Mayor, Jill Boudreau, has graciously agreed to moderate the town hall.

Please click here to register. There’s an opportunity to submit your question in advance and we’ll be doing live question and answers as well. Register today and I look forward to seeing you!

Muzzall garners nearly $30 million for district schools

The state Senate unveiled its proposal for the 2023-25 Capital Budget today. Hailed by negotiators as a record investment for housing, state Sen. Ron Muzzall is proud to have secured nearly $30 million for school districts who’ve struggled to get local resources for capital projects. Oak Harbor School District, whose local bond was recently rejected, is set to receive the lion’s share of capital-related funds.

“Capital costs are significant burdens for our school districts and I’m proud to support these robust investments from the state,” Muzzall said. “Oak Harbor has tried unsuccessfully with their local bonds, and I think taxpayers feel fatigued with those assessments. This mechanism of funding is a way to meet those needs without further burdening property owners in the district.”

In the Senate’s version of the state’s construction budget, $13.9 million would go toward the Oak Harbor Early Learning Center, which houses early learning programs for children ages 3-5 and other special education programs for the district’s youngest learners. Another $13.6 million is allocated to Crescent Harbor Elementary. Muzzall also fought to include funding for La Conner School District, which would receive just over $1.5 million for their capital projects in the Senate’s proposal.

Muzzall points to the high level of funding as an opportunity for schools to receive further federal matching dollars to make capital improvements a reality. If the level of funding championed by Muzzall is maintained, the district could be eligible for an additional $55.9 million for early learning and $53.9 million for elementary schools.

“Thank you to Senator Muzzall for his continued efforts advocating on behalf of our students. Through your leadership, we have an opportunity to capture critical Department of Defense federal matching dollars to rebuild two aging schools on military installations that currently house more than 800 students (pre school – 12th grade) every day,” said Oak Harbor School District Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula. “By approving Senate Bill 5324, you are investing in our children and the future of our community. Thank you for being a champion for all of our students.”

The final capital budget still needs to be negotiated with the House of Representatives and approved by both Chambers. The House is set to release their proposal next Monday, March 27. Muzzall is committed to working with his House counterparts to maintain the strong education spending during negotiations.