An unprecedented short session in terms of policy, this legislature boosted Southwest Washington
By all accounts, Southwest Washington had a banner year in the state legislature. Overall, there was an astonishing amount of policy dealt with in a short session year, and this region truly benefited. Recognition goes especially to Deb Wallace for introducing and sponsoring so many bills critical to economic development in the region.
In addition to major budget allocations for projects such as the Confluence Project, the State Crime Lab and the Main Street Program/CTED, several bills successfully passed the House and Senate and, at press time, were awaiting the governor’s signature.
House Bill 2567. Regulating methamphetamine precursors.
Introduced by Rep. Deb Wallace and sponsored by Rep. Jim Moeller, this law declares that any person who knowingly purchases in a thirty-day period or possesses any quantity of iodine in its elemental form, an iodine matrix, or more than two pounds of methylsulfonylmethane is guilty of a gross misdemeanor, except as provided in state law. Hats off to local legislators for their continued efforts to curb meth production. This epidemic is costing businesses millions in theft, damages and lost time.
House Bill 3190. Providing tax incentives for semiconductor materials.
Also introduced by Rep. Deb Wallace, this bill exempts gases and chemicals used by manufacturers of advanced semiconductor materials from sales tax. The exemption applies to gas and chemicals used directly with the product. A companion bill was floated in the Senate by Sen. Joseph Zarelli. This is the city’s top legislative priority for 2005 – and a boon to recruitment for the region’s most sought after industry.
House Bill 2673. Local infrastructure financing.
This bill creates the Local Infrastructure Financing Tool demonstration program to assist local governments in financing authorized public infrastructure projects designed to promote economic development in the jurisdiction. The bill establishes the procedures and provisions for the distribution of tax revenue for the purpose of subsidizing local infrastructure. Vancouver’s Riverwest project was named one of the three pilot projects and would benefit from $500,000 per year for 25 years. A funding tool available in many other states often referred to as Tax Increment Financing, Washington is far behind in this arena of economic development.
Senate Bill 6480. Apprentice utilization in the DOT.
This bill requires that all Department of Transportation projects estimated at $1 million or more will have at least 15 percent of the labor hours performed by apprentices. Apprentices are integral to economic development, and funded apprenticeship programs pave the way for living wage jobs and productive workers who do not have a traditional college education. Apprentices cut down recruitment, training and retention costs for employers. Bravo to the state for putting WSDOT on board.
