tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62473755464706263352024-03-08T09:35:46.905-08:00Washington State Impolite<i><p>If the People try to have government solve all their problems, government will create more problems than the People can stand. Freedom is not given, it's taken.</p>
<p>
Government panacea is a defective idea -- why should government run your life?
</p></i>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.comBlogger570125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-34527300264893684852024-03-07T20:39:00.000-08:002024-03-08T09:35:14.872-08:00Washington Legislature Anti-Gun legislation to Inslee<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">This year, anti-gun Washington Legislators
continued their crusade of undermining the Second Amendment and defying
the precedent established in the <i>Bruen</i> decision. While this
session saw the passage of numerous anti-gun measures, it was not
without its victories as well. Thanks to the calls and emails from NRA
Members and Second Amendment supporters, a number of equally bad
measures were thankfully defeated. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>Please contact Governor Jay Inslee and respectfully ask him to veto the below anti-gun measures.</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://speak4.app/lp/50821e/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span><b><span><img src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshared.nrapvf.org%2Fsharedmedia%2F1507780%2Fclick-here-take-action.gif%3Fwidth%3D500%26height%3D61&t=1709872645&ymreqid=8be9e269-1252-f052-1c33-4e0000012500&sig=u2CUTxAs_.VcReTnfEqrxw--%7ED" /></span></b></span></a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span><b>Bills Passed and Awaiting Governor Jay Inslee’s Consideration:</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1903&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 1903</a><span> further
victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the liability on
crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing failing to
report missing or stolen firearms within 24 hours.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2021&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2021</a> expands
the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms acquired from
gun buyback programs held by state and local government entities.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2118&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2118</a><span>,
the "FFL-Killer" bill, places onerous requirements on Washington-based
FFLs and will put many out of business because of the financial burden
to comply. Any FFL that does more than $1,000 of sales per year must run
annual background checks on their employees, carry $1 million liability
insurance, install steel doors or bars at the business, and meet
onerous requirements for storage and security systems with 24-hour audio
and video surveillance.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5444&Year=2023&Initiative=False" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5444</a> <span>expands
“sensitive places” where law-abiding citizens may no longer open carry
in these publicly accessible areas - public transportation areas,
libraries, zoos and aquariums. Nothing in the bill requires these
“sensitive places” have any measures to protect citizens and prevent
armed criminals from ignoring this arbitrary boundary and entering, such
as metal detectors, security guards, or a police presence. Concealed
Pistol License holders may still lawfully conceal carry their firearms
in these locations.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5985&Year=2023&Initiative=False" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5985</a><span> codifies
the unconstitutional provisions of Washington’s recent ban on commonly
owned firearms into the section of state code on background checks.</span> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span><b>Bills Defeated During Session:</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1902&Year=2023&Initiative=false" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 1902</a> would have required<span> individuals obtain a permit with live-fire training to be able to exercise the right to purchase firearms.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span><span><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2054&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2054</a><span> would
have rationed Second Amendment rights by limiting firearm dealers from
transferring or selling more than one firearm per 30-day period to an
individual.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span><span><span><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2238&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2238</a> would have created an additional 11% excise tax on the sale or transfer of ammunition.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span><span><span><a href="https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5963.pdf?q=20240125000214" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5963</a> <span>would have required an individual who owns a firearm to obtain residential insurance as a homeowner or a renter.</span></span></span></span></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-90177343092807668102024-03-07T18:51:00.000-08:002024-03-07T18:51:48.525-08:00Legislature enacts another tax on workers<p>They call <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6069&Year=2024&Initiative=false" target="_blank">SB 6069</a> an <span>improvement for retirement security. It has no opt-out provision, so you must pay a percentage of your paycheck into the state's coffers. Its a tax. And it has passed both houses of the legislature and awaits the governor's signature.<br /></span></p><p><span>Here is lie they told themselves to pass this thing.</span></p><p><span>"SB 6069 = </span><span><span>Improving private Washington workforce retirement security
standards by establishing Washington saves, an automatic enrollment
individual retirement savings account program, and updating the
Washington retirement marketplace statute."</span></span></p><p><span><span>In general, Democrats voted for this bill, and Republicans opposed it. To look up your own representative or senator's vote, the vote record is posted at <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAGOV/bulletins/38f5ffe" target="_blank">https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAGOV/bulletins/38f5ffe </a><br /></span></span></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-41036811272828494152024-03-05T20:51:00.000-08:002024-03-05T20:53:18.600-08:00Initiative sucesses and the comng balllot battle on others<p>The legislature saw fit to repeal some of their own laws. The People submitted initiative to the legislature. The Democrats looked at the polls and realized that to keep their jobs, they better go along with the People's will. (Who would mind if the Democrats were turned out of state government anyway?)<br /></p><p></p><p>So the legislature enacted the following initiatives. </p><p>Initiative 2111 prohibits the state and local jurisdictions from imposing taxes on any individual person on any form of personal income. The initiative specifies that "income" has the same meaning as "gross income" as under the federal tax code.<br /><br />Initiative 2113 expanded authorization for vehicular pursuits by allowing an officer to conduct a vehicular pursuit where there is <i>reasonable</i> suspicion a person has violated the law.<br /><br />Initiative 2081 declared 15 rights that parents and guardians of public school children have, including rights to receive or be notified of academic, medical, safety, and law enforcement matters; rights to examine and inspect certain materials and records; and rights to opt their children out of certain activities.<br /><br />The initiatives will become law, taking effect about three months after the session ends, <i>unless </i>a referendum is filed. The last day of the session is Thursday.</p><p><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-senate-passes-three-initiatives-covering-taxes-schools-and-police-chases/" target="_blank">Source - Seattle Times</a><br /><br />The legislature has declined to act on certain Initiatives of the People. These are <br /><br />I-2109 The Initiative to repeal capital gains tax The capital gains tax was passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2021. It took effect on January 1, 2022. Revenue from the tax was set to be deposited in the education legacy trust account and the common school construction account. This initiative would repeal the 7% capital gains excise tax imposed on sales and exchanges of long-term capital assets by individuals with capital gains over $250,000.</p><p>Capital gains taxes suppress the willingness of investors to make large investments. The rental housing industry is one example. <br /><br />I-2117 - Which will repeal carbon cap-and-invest program & prohibit carbon tax credit trading. Under this all state agencies are prohibited from implementing any type of carbon tax credit trading, also known as "cap and trade" or "cap and tax" scheme. It includes the climate commitment act previously codified as chapter 70A.65 RCW. This prohibition applies whether the resulting increased costs are imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers. </p><p>This has implications to this year’s supplemental spending. <br /><br />I-2124, the initiative to opt-out of long-term Services Insurance Program. Instead, the law would change to requires employees and self-employed individuals to opt-in to coverage under the state's long-term services and supports trust health care program. It would allows anyone to opt out of coverage at any time. The Employee Security Department (ESD) would be responsible for developing rules to implement the opt-out process. </p><p>The existing Long-Term services and supports trust program was created in 2019. The Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act (LTSS) created the first state-operated long-term care insurance program, known as the WA Cares Fund and is funded through a mandatory payroll tax on employees' wages.</p><p>Source - <a href="https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/lawmakers-pass-three-out-of-six-citizen-initiatives" target="_blank">Washington Policy Center</a> <br /></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-30685388170917131222024-02-28T18:13:00.000-08:002024-02-28T18:53:47.119-08:00Anti-Gun Bills Advance Through the Legislature<p><span>On Tuesday, February 27</span><sup><span>th</span></sup><span>,
HB 2118, the “Federal Firearm Licensee Killer” passed the Senate, and SB 5444, "Sensitive Places" expansion, passed the House. </span></p><p><span>Both bills were amended in the
second chamber and now must return to their respective chambers of
origin for concurrence and final passage before heading to the
Governor's desk. </span>
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2118&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2118</a>,
the "FFL-Killer" bill, was passed by the Senate with a vote of 28-21.
The bill will now return to the House for concurrence due to an
amendment adopted in the Senate. The onerous requirements of House Bill
2118 will likely put most Washington-based FFLs out of business because
of the financial burden to comply. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Under HB 2118, any FFL that does more than $1,000 of
sales per year must run annual background checks on their employees,
carry $1 million liability insurance, install steel doors or bars at the
business, and meet onerous requirements for storage and security
systems with 24-hour audio and video surveillance. Even the <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/two-wa-gun-bills-are-spot-on-but-a-third-is-unfair-to-dealers/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Seattle Times</a> agrees
“… HB 2118 pushes gun control to a level of punishment for legitimate
businesses… [and] unnecessarily tightens the rein on gun dealers while
using the public’s safety as a smoke screen.” `</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Here is a list of all House members. HB 2118 will affect us all if it is enacted, so we have a right to let all legislators now how we think about it.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">peter.abbarno@leg.wa.gov; emily.alvarado@leg.wa.gov; andrew.barkis@leg.wa.gov; stephanie.barnard@leg.wa.gov; jessica.bateman@leg.wa.gov; april.berg@leg.wa.gov; steve.bergquist@leg.wa.gov; liz.berry@leg.wa.gov; dan.bronoske@leg.wa.gov; michelle.caldier@leg.wa.gov; lisa.callan@leg.wa.gov; kelly.chambers@leg.wa.gov; bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov; mike.chapman@leg.wa.gov; greg.chaney@leg.wa.gov; frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov; leonard.christian@leg.wa.gov; april.connors@leg.wa.gov; chris.corry@leg.wa.gov; julio.cortes@leg.wa.gov; travis.couture@leg.wa.gov; lauren.davis@leg.wa.gov; tom.dent@leg.wa.gov; beth.doglio@leg.wa.gov; brandy.donaghy@leg.wa.gov; davina.duerr@leg.wa.gov; mary.dye@leg.wa.gov; debra.entenman@leg.wa.gov; carolyn.eslick@leg.wa.gov; darya.farivar@leg.wa.gov; jake.fey@leg.wa.gov; joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov; mary.fosse@leg.wa.gov; keith.goehner@leg.wa.gov; roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov; jenny.graham@leg.wa.gov; mia.gregerson@leg.wa.gov; dan.griffey@leg.wa.gov; david.hackney@leg.wa.gov; paul.harris@leg.wa.gov; spencer.hutchins@leg.wa.gov; cyndy.jacobsen@leg.wa.gov; laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov; mark.klicker@leg.wa.gov; shelley.kloba@leg.wa.gov; joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov; mari.leavitt@leg.wa.gov; debra.lekanoff@leg.wa.gov; sam.low@leg.wa.gov; nicole.macri@leg.wa.gov; jacquelin.maycumber@leg.wa.gov; stephanie.mcclintock@leg.wa.gov; joel.mcentire@leg.wa.gov; sharlett.mena@leg.wa.gov; melanie.morgan@leg.wa.gov; gina.mosbrucker@leg.wa.gov; greg.nance@leg.wa.gov; ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov; timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov; lillian.ortiz-self@leg.wa.gov; tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov; dave.paul@leg.wa.gov; strom.peterson@leg.wa.gov; gerry.pollet@leg.wa.gov; alex.ramel@leg.wa.gov; bill.ramos@leg.wa.gov; julia.reed@leg.wa.gov; kristine.reeves@leg.wa.gov; marcus.riccelli@leg.wa.gov; eric.robertson@leg.wa.gov; skyler.rude@leg.wa.gov; alicia.rule@leg.wa.gov; cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov; bryan.sandlin@leg.wa.gov; sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov; joe.schmick@leg.wa.gov; suzanne.schmidt@leg.wa.gov; tana.senn@leg.wa.gov; clyde.shavers@leg.wa.gov; tarra.simmons@leg.wa.gov; vandana.slatter@leg.wa.gov; larry.springer@leg.wa.gov; chris.stearns@leg.wa.gov; mike.steele@leg.wa.gov; drew.stokesbary@leg.wa.gov; monica.stonier@leg.wa.gov; chipalo.street@leg.wa.gov; jamila.taylor@leg.wa.gov; my-linh.thai@leg.wa.gov; steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov; joe.timmons@leg.wa.gov; mike.volz@leg.wa.gov; amy.walen@leg.wa.gov; jim.walsh@leg.wa.gov; kevin.waters@leg.wa.gov; jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov; sharon.wylie@leg.wa.gov; alex.ybarra@leg.wa.gov<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">~~~~~~~ <br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5444&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5444</a>,
regarding open carry bans passed with a vote of 58-36. This bill
expands so-called “sensitive places” in many publicly accessible areas
including public<span> transit stations or facilities</span>, public libraries, zoos, and aquariums. The bill permits firearms in those places with a Concealed Pistol License. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">SB 5444 passed both houses. Next it heads to the governor's desk for his signature. <a href="https://governor.wa.gov/contacting-governor/contacting-governors-office/send-gov-inslee-e-message" target="_blank">Send Gov. Inslee an email explaining why he should not sign this bill.</a> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">~~~~~~~~</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://www.nrailafrontlines.com/r?u=uGhUZCRbv0crs9GfIgEMvsaNXhmnyE_N89JuKPBF99Wr22p4bfU5aMTOV_k47Do4SB46JLeK3AcVdELxMFEO_DQhgNqxxG34UuhWDwQqVMk&e=5d17cc46ce4776883c7af4a76ec0b2ab&utm_source=frontlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wa_anti_gun_bills_email_2_28_2&n=4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House
Bill 1903</a> further victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and
places the liability on crime victims for theft of their own property
by penalizing failing to report missing or stolen firearms within 24
hours. <a href="https://governor.wa.gov/contacting-governor/contacting-governors-office/send-gov-inslee-e-message" target="_blank">Send Gov. Inslee an email explaining why he should not sign this bill.</a> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"></p><p></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nrailafrontlines.com/r?u=uGhUZCRbv0crs9GfIgEMvsaNXhmnyE_N89JuKPBF99Xv09xt_hjXP0BxHNJ3rS4wkZaHj6F6-0FIc_Gxpd933V5fi-yYY-V71imzr_oMA_s&e=5d17cc46ce4776883c7af4a76ec0b2ab&utm_source=frontlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wa_anti_gun_bills_email_2_28_2&n=5" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House
Bill 2021</a> expands the authorized and/or required destruction of
firearms acquired from gun buyback programs held by state and local
government entities. It is presently scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate. </p><p>Since the whole state will be affected, we all have the right to contact the whole senate. So here are their emails:</p><p>andy.billig@leg.wa.gov; matt.boehnke@leg.wa.gov; john.braun@leg.wa.gov; annette.cleveland@leg.wa.gov; steve.conway@leg.wa.gov; manka.dhingra@leg.wa.gov; perry.dozier@leg.wa.gov; phil.fortunato@leg.wa.gov; noel.frame@leg.wa.gov; chris.gildon@leg.wa.gov; drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov; bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov; brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov; jeff.holy@leg.wa.gov; sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov; claudia.kauffman@leg.wa.gov; karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov; curtis.king@leg.wa.gov; patty.kuderer@leg.wa.gov; marko.liias@leg.wa.gov; liz.lovelett@leg.wa.gov; john.lovick@leg.wa.gov; drew.macewen@leg.wa.gov; jim.mccune@leg.wa.gov; mark.mullet@leg.wa.gov; ron.muzzall@leg.wa.gov; joe.nguyen@leg.wa.gov; twina.nobles@leg.wa.gov; mike.padden@leg.wa.gov; jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov; emily.randall@leg.wa.gov; ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov; june.robinson@leg.wa.gov; rebecca.saldana@leg.wa.gov; jesse.salomon@leg.wa.gov; mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov; sharon.shewmake@leg.wa.gov; shelly.short@leg.wa.gov; derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov; nikki.torres@leg.wa.gov; yasmin.trudeau@leg.wa.gov; javier.valdez@leg.wa.gov; kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov; keith.wagoner@leg.wa.gov; judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov; lisa.wellman@leg.wa.gov; claire.wilson@leg.wa.gov; jeff.wilson@leg.wa.gov; lynda.wilson@leg.wa.gov; ltgov@ltgov.wa.gov; steve.hobbs@sos.wa.gov<br /></p><br />Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-23725421233615517632024-02-26T20:22:00.000-08:002024-02-27T09:52:32.352-08:00Repeal the income tax initiative, & moreIt is worthwhile to have an initiative process like we do in this state. That way we can introduce People's law to the state government, or review and maybe reverse legislative errors. The state legislature has been getting out of hand recently. These initiatives covered here are proposals to reverse or reverse some of the state legislature's more egregious laws. The legislature may decide to act on these initiative petitions, and avoid public embarrassment of having the People reverse their laws i open election. Impolite hopes we can encourage them to do what is right.<br /><p><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2111&Initiative=true" target="_blank">Initiative 2111 - Concerns taxes on personal income.</a><br />Sponsors: People of the State of Washington (not the legislature).<br /><br />Prohibits the state and local jurisdictions from imposing taxes on any individual person on any form of personal income. The initiative specifies that "income" has the same meaning as "gross income" as under the federal tax code.<br /> <br />If you are "Pro" the initiative, you favor the right of the people to review the legislature's income tax scheme in the general election this fall.<br /><br />If you would like your position noted for the legislative record on Initiative 2111, click on this <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32072&aId=160093&caId=24423&tId=3" target="_blank">link:https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32072&aId=160093&caId=24423&tId=3</a></p><p></p><p>~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2113&Initiative=true" target="_blank">Initiative 2113 - Concerns vehicular pursuits by peace officers.</a><br />Sponsors: People of the State of Washington<br /><br />Expands authorization for vehicular pursuits by allowing an officer to conduct a vehicular pursuit where there is reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law.<br /><br />(Current law, as modified by the legislature in 2022, requires "probable cause" for a pursuit. This has kept police from pursuing an obvious suspect until a court can rule on the pursuit.)<br /><br />Modifies the risk assessment for vehicular pursuits by providing that an officer may not engage in a vehicular pursuit unless the person poses a threat to the safety of others and the safety risks of failing to apprehend or identify the person are considered to be greater than the safety risks of the vehicular pursuit under the circumstances.<br /><br />If you are "Pro" the initiative, you favor the right of the people to review the legislature's current, excessive, requirements to enable police pursuit in the general election this fall..<br /><br />If you would like your position noted for the legislative record on Initiative 2113, click on this link: <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32069&aId=160089&caId=24422&tId=3" target="_blank">https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32069&aId=160089&caId=24422&tId=3</a><br /><br />~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2081&Initiative=true" target="_blank">Initiative 2081 - Concerns parental rights relating to their children's public school education</a>.<br />Sponsors: People of the State of Washington.<br /><br />Declares 15 rights that parents and guardians of public school children have, including rights to receive or be notified of academic, medical, safety, and law enforcement matters, rights to examine and inspect certain materials and records, and rights to opt their children out of certain activities.<br /><br />If you are "Pro" the initiative, you favor the right of the people to review the legislature's current restrictions on informing parents of the welfare of their child in the general election this autumn.<br /><br />If you would like your position noted for the legislative record on Initiative 2081, click on this link: <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32071&aId=160099&caId=24424&tId=3" target="_blank">https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=32071&aId=160099&caId=24424&tId=3</a></p><p><br /></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-67824448175925685062024-02-22T10:11:00.000-08:002024-02-22T10:14:34.338-08:00Anti-Gun Bills Advance Out of Committee<span>On Monday, February 19th, the Senate
Law & Justice Committee held a public hearing on several anti-gun
bills. NRA was in Olympia and testified against all three bills. An
executive session was held yesterday and the Committee voted along party
lines to advance the bill. </span>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>The bill will be directed to the Rules Committee where it will be eligible to head to the Senate Floor for final passage. <strong>Please contact your Senator now and urge them to OPPOSE these bills by using the Take Action button below.</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://speak4.app/lp/7a8caf/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshared.nrapvf.org%2Fsharedmedia%2F1507780%2Fclick-here-take-action.gif%3Fwidth%3D500%26height%3D61&t=1708625392&ymreqid=8be9e269-1252-f052-1cb9-3c000001ea00&sig=_xEwi1i7xCrTIt6PBnzKhw--~D" /></a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1903&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 1903</a>
further victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the
liability on crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing
failing to report missing or stolen firearms within 24 hours.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2021&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2021</a>
expands the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms acquired
from gun buyback programs held by state and local government entities.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2118&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2118</a>
also referred to as the “FFL Killer” bill, places costly onerous
requirements on law-abiding FFLs that could put them at serious risk of
going out of business because of the financial burden to comply.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><strong>Please click the Take Action button above to ask Senators to OPPOSE these bills.</strong></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-1078513468997576762024-02-16T20:43:00.000-08:002024-02-16T20:43:10.591-08:00More anti-gun action in the legislature<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">On Monday, February 19<sup>th</sup>, the
Senate Law & Justice Committee will hold a public hearing on several
anti-gun bills. The hearings will take place at 10:30am, and you can
register to testify in the hearing in-person or remotely by using this <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate?selectedCommittee=17548&selectedMeeting=31980" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">testimony page</a>.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">If you are unable to attend this
hearing, please use the Take Action button to contact the committee
members directly and urge them to OPPOSE these bills.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://speak4.app/lp/6621a1/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshared.nrapvf.org%2Fsharedmedia%2F1507780%2Fclick-here-take-action.gif%3Fwidth%3D500%26height%3D61&t=1708144798&ymreqid=8be9e269-1252-f052-1cd0-1c000001a800&sig=iwCt1lYHQn0p3zvWPf8M.w--~D" /></a><br /></strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1903&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 1903</a> further
victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the liability on
crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing failing to
report missing or stolen firearms within 24 hours.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2021&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2021</a> expands
the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms acquired from
gun buyback programs held by state and local government entities.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2118&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2118</a> also
referred to as the “FFL Killer” bill, places costly onerous
requirements on law-abiding FFLs that could put them at serious risk of
going out of business because of the financial burden to comply.</p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-42179304643828823702024-02-15T10:42:00.000-08:002024-02-15T10:42:57.602-08:00Legislature to make life more expensive here<p>There are bills in the legislature that will make life more expensive for us, by increasing the price of gas, groceries and housing. Those bills include:
</p><ul><li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1589&Year=2023&Initiative=false" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 1589</a> would
ban natural gas in new residential and commercial buildings, increasing
the costs of housing, energy and goods in our state. Passed the House on a 52-45 vote.</li><li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2301&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 2301</a>
would increase garbage bill costs by adding new collection service
requirements for residents and businesses related to food and yard
waste.</li><li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2401&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 2401</a><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1589&Year=2023&Initiative=false" target="_blank">
</a>would increase the costs of refrigerants that are important to food
producers and grocers by requiring producers of bulk refrigerants to
fund a producer responsibility organization to collect and recycle
refrigerant gases. Passed the House 57-40.
</li><li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1185&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 1185</a><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2301&Initiative=false&Year=2023" target="_blank">
</a>would increase the costs for lightbulbs by expanding lightbulb
stewardship responsibility for lighting manufacturers to include all
lights, not just mercury-containing lights. Passed the House 52-45.
</li><li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1433&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 1433</a>
would increase the cost of housing by authorizing counties and cities
to require, before listing a house for sale, that a home energy score
report be obtained. Passed the House 55-42.
</li><li>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2114&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 2114</a> is rent control. It would increase the cost of housing by
placing arbitrary limits on rent increases. It would reduce supply of rentable hosing and
ultimately encourage landlords to raise rent by the maximum maximum allowed every year.
Passed the House 54-43.</li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/our-priorities/" target="_blank">Fix Washington</a> </b></span></span><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-75148281627986642412024-02-08T11:36:00.000-08:002024-02-11T19:08:08.430-08:00Democrat bill SB 5770 to TRIPLE the increase in property tax<p><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5770&Year=2023" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5770</a> is absolutely tone-deaf and unnecessary.<br clear="none" /> <br clear="none" />People
have already consistently spoken against raising property taxes for
various reasons. We are in the midst of an economic recession and
inflationary cycle, and there is little appetite to bear the load
of new property taxes. <br clear="none" /> <br clear="none" />What is more
troubling is that we already have a housing affordability problem, and
this bill will directly impact rental properties to the tune of
thousands of dollars per unit, in some casesraising taxes by hundreds of
dollars a month. SB 5770 heavily impacts the most vulnerable citizens in
our state, those on fixed incomes, the elderly, and those working
paycheck to paycheck, barely keeping up with inflationary costs.<br clear="none" /> <br clear="none" />When
the average cost for a single bedroom apartment in the Puget Sound
corridor is nearing $1600, adding another hundred dollars to that is
simply unfathomable.</p><p>In addition, Impolite should note that Seattle property taxes in the top 5 most expensive in big U.S. cities. The median property tax paid by Seattle homeowners in 2022 was around $6,800. From 2010 to 2021, the tax had risen by 89% or about $3600. Incidentally, if you rent, you pay this increase.<br /></p><p>~~~~~~~~ <br /></p><p>Washingtonians are great at keeping our economy rolling along and we deserve to keep as much as we earn!</p><p>The
state coffers are already full of our hard-earned tax dollars. We
do not need more money to fully fund the already bloated state spending.</p><p>Contact your state Senator. <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5770" target="_blank">Stop SB 5770</a>. </p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-20751317722242232122024-01-26T17:46:00.000-08:002024-01-26T17:46:49.339-08:00Gun control by insurance requirement<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">On Monday, January 29<sup>th</sup>, the Senate Law and Justice Committee will hold a public hearing for <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=5963&Year=2024&Initiative=false" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5963.</a><span> The bill that would require gun owners to have a home insurance policy if
they own a firearm, even they are renters. This bill will not reduce crime but
will only price law abiding gun owners out of home insurance policies,
if they can even obtain the coverage. Please contact the members of the
committee and urge them to <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate?selectedCommittee=17548&selectedMeeting=31787" target="_blank"><strong>OPPOSE SB 5963</strong></a>. Or click on the Take Action button below. Or both.<br /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://speak4.app/lp/44ada1/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshared.nrapvf.org%2Fsharedmedia%2F1507780%2Fclick-here-take-action.gif%3Fwidth%3D500%26height%3D61&t=1706319163&ymreqid=8be9e269-1252-f052-1ce6-52000001e600&sig=cmSECMIO2Y6o0NoiDvMeIw--~D" /></a><br /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>SB 5963, requires every legal
firearm owner to obtain a "residential dwelling policy" that is to be
kept wherever the firearm(s) may be stored. The policy is required to
cover loss or damage resulting from the accidental or unintentional
discharge of a firearm. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>Mandating insurance policies will in no way
reduce crime and the illicit use of firearms, as criminals and other
prohibited persons could never secure coverage. Instead, this
legislation would serve as a barrier to those seeking to exercise their
rights, including unknown annual costs. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>SB 5963 could be utilized as a
backdoor registration scheme, which would include sensitive personal
information on firearm owners, including name, address, phone number and
other identifiers. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>Also, given the uncertainty if this type of
coverage would even exist, it could put insurance companies in a
position of increased pricing on policies based on the types and number
of firearms covered. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>This legislation is not rooted in public safety,
but instead provides an additional avenue for the Washington State
Legislature to harass and burden law-abiding citizens. The bill is a clear violation of Washington state's constitution "</span><span><span id="DeltaPlaceHolderMain">The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired.... (Art1, §24)"<br /></span></span></p>
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate?selectedCommittee=17548&selectedMeeting=31787" target="_blank"><span>Please contact the members of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and Urge them to OPPOSE SB 5963</span></a><strong><span>! </span></strong>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-49228219810326400162024-01-26T10:42:00.000-08:002024-02-27T09:56:49.693-08:00Rent control moves ahead in legislature<p>Update 2/27/24: HB-2114 - <span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Rent Control is Dead <span style="color: black;">for 2024. The bill died in committee.</span></span> </p><p>Its beginning to look like Washington state government is going to impose rent control. There are two, identical rent control proposals filed. They are <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2114&Initiative=false&Year=2023" target="_blank">House Bill 2114</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5961&Initiative=false&Year=2023" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5961</a>.</p><p>Many of us have not lived in a place with rent control, so wee don't know about how screwed up rent control makes things. Quality of housing is ignored under rent control. So what if you could rent a great place for a good rate if it is not available? So what if you have a great rent on a place that is in a neighborhood the police don't go to? Usually rent amounts is inn response to all these factors and more. </p><p>Rent control was the origin of the slums in New York City. Rents were set to satisfy politicians -- not to solve housing problems. And our legislature is set to try it soon. <br /></p><p>Let the legislators know you're onto their game (<a href="https://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/MemberInformation.aspx" target="_blank">link</a>). Rent control is a bad idea.<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Rent control squeezes housing providers leading to less spending, resulting in lower sales tax revenues for thew state</li><li> Rent control is proven to reduce investment regardless of any exemptions</li><li> Rent control is proven to reduce property values</li><li> Rent control will lower investment and lower property values, which both lower government income.</li><li> Rent control will significantly reduce the property tax revenues state and local governments collect from housing providers.</li><li> Local and state governments rely on these property taxes in order to properly address the needs of their residents, lower revenues will reduce quality of life for residents of Washington state while simultaneously making housing affordability more difficult.</li></ul><p>Rent control would be a disaster for the people who need housing. </p><p>Vote out those legislators who vote for rent control. Impolite will keep yo posted.<br /></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-20768358243010145312024-01-23T18:00:00.000-08:002024-01-23T18:00:31.894-08:00Washington state operating budget graphic<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ew22URHBDKriAlLXSG76cKbAdYAcgPbsrEQbwT7r3qKCGcFAmYDmHCma6e0ONhOh3crvSeA72sTTV-8h5-1yo_F5MIFQfKLAFEruOZ6Tllemt2tOwY-y6arwU4CKr_CltwIyW45oE8EVh-7xa-6KSgpt2BK42kMV8ZvHNaisELYRkfdN31ZM4WpEZUj0/s540/WA%20operating%20budget%202023-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="540" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ew22URHBDKriAlLXSG76cKbAdYAcgPbsrEQbwT7r3qKCGcFAmYDmHCma6e0ONhOh3crvSeA72sTTV-8h5-1yo_F5MIFQfKLAFEruOZ6Tllemt2tOwY-y6arwU4CKr_CltwIyW45oE8EVh-7xa-6KSgpt2BK42kMV8ZvHNaisELYRkfdN31ZM4WpEZUj0/s320/WA%20operating%20budget%202023-25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Operating budget ($69.8 billion for 2023-2025)<br /><br />The 2023-25 operating budget of $69.8 billion funds the day-to-day operations of state government for the two-year period ending Jun 30, 2025. The operating budget will be updated this session to reflect adjustments in state revenues and spending.<p></p><p>~~~~~~~~ <br /></p><p>Just so you can know what getting soaked looks like....<br /></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-46076279443698951372024-01-19T11:55:00.000-08:002024-01-19T12:05:28.846-08:00Gun ban in "sensitive places" passes out of committee<p><span><br /></span></p><div class="yiv1574811086nb-tmce-btn yiv1574811086nb-btn" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #c80000; border-collapse: initial; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: none; border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; border: 1px solid; color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px auto; width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%; padding: 15px 30px; position: relative;" valign="middle"><a href="https://www.nrailafrontlines.com/r?u=utzMymHNRmIHzKvjLlxwIyp0F5G50AnwNGQvJZvOOLk&e=5d17cc46ce4776883c7af4a76ec0b2ab&utm_source=frontlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=washington_take_action&n=4" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: white; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TAKE ACTION</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p><span></span></p><p><span>On Thursday, January 18th, the Senate Law and Justice
Committee passed an amended version of </span><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.nrailafrontlines.com/r?u=9sYVJh_m_xPYUksJC-U6CmBA9eBXgV4xkqJwivQnnhRvMZQ0c1UNQcWyw98hOg5r9qfXgVfxjOzeg77rhJ48fZh2lHHJWPjpQNm-7ET9Ly84x-g6eLCtEB3xwwttnD7ucLfdGGHHhKpwYLUy7QGgIg&e=5d17cc46ce4776883c7af4a76ec0b2ab&utm_source=frontlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=washington_take_action&n=3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: red;" target="_blank">Senate
Bill 5444</a></span><span>, a "sensitive places" expansion bill, out
of committee.</span></p>
<p><span>The bill has now been referred to the Ways and Means
Committee. Please contact your Senator now and ask them to OPPOSE SB
5444 by clicking the TAKE ACTION button above.</span></p><p>Publicly-accessible areas categorized in the bill as "gun-free"
zones include:</p>
<ul><li>Public Parks</li><li>Public Transit</li><li>State and local government buildings</li><li>Public libraries</li><li>Zoos and aquariums</li></ul>
<p>There is no way to insure violent criminals will respect a "sensitive place." So the bill does not include any measures that would
protect law-abiding citizens. The bill does not recognize that words alone make a poor shield.<br /></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-64081589522171259902024-01-18T18:32:00.000-08:002024-01-18T18:32:43.102-08:00Olympia - One gun ban passes committee <p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>On Thursday, January 18th, the Senate Law and Justice Committee passed an amended version of <a href="https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5444.pdf?q=20240118085825" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5444</a>, a "sensitive places" expansion bill, out of committee. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5444&Year=2023&Initiative=False" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SB 5444</a><span> increases “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens are left defenseless in publicly accessible areas, including:</span></p>
<ul><li><span>Public parks</span></li><li><span>Public transit</span></li><li><span>State and local government buildings</span></li><li><span>Public libraries, and</span></li><li><span>Zoos and aquariums</span></li></ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>Nothing in the bill requires these
“sensitive places” have any measures to protect citizens and prevent
armed criminals from ignoring this arbitrary boundary and entering. <a href="https://crimeresearch.org/2019/07/breaking-down-mass-public-shooting-data-from-1998-though-june-2019-info-on-weapons-used-gun-free-zones-racial-age-and-gender-demographics/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">94%</a> of mass shootings occur in these gun free zones, signage is not enough to stop criminals.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>During the public hearing on Monday
in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, the NRA testified in opposition
and challenged the committee’s interpretation that this bill did not
apply to the concealed carry of firearms. The NRA’s challenge prevailed,
and the committee confirmed that SB 5444 would prohibit concealed carry
in the so called "sensitive places" the bill proposes.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>Thanks to pressure from the NRA and
pro-Second Amendment Senators, during today’s executive session, the
committee voted to amend the bill. Concealed Pistol License holders
would not be prohibited from carrying concealed in the expanded
"sensitive places". This is a big win for law abiding gun owners.
However, our work and opposition is not done. The otherwise lawful carry
of firearms remains prohibited criminal conduct and must be defeated. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span>The bill has now been referred to
the Ways and Means Committee. Please contact your Senator now and ask
them to oppose SB 5444 by clicking the Take Action button below.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://speak4.app/lp/47dd70/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span><img src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshared.nrapvf.org%2Fsharedmedia%2F1507780%2Fclick-here-take-action.gif%3Fwidth%3D500%26height%3D61&t=1705631262&ymreqid=8be9e269-1252-f052-1c26-06000001ac00&sig=S_cpuHNhEuk0sRAVwqoUAQ--~D" /></span></a></p><p> </p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-65624364517303027352024-01-11T16:17:00.000-08:002024-01-11T16:32:09.434-08:00Anti-Gun Bills Scheduled for Hearings Next Week in Olympia<p>Democrats in Olympia have proposed new ways to abuse gun owners (and anyone interested in self-defense). </p><p>You can <span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><a href="https://speak4.app/lp/bc0d2f/" target="_blank">Click Here to Take Action</a></span> on all bills simultaneously, and tell all the committee members what you think and use the convenient form letter provided. Or you can enter specific comments on individual bills by going to the link provided for each bill, and look for the 'Comment' or 'Testify' links for that bill. <br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1902&Year=2023&Initiative=false" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 1902</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6004&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 6004</a> require
individuals obtain a permit with live-fire training to be able to
exercise the right to purchase firearms. A similar permitting scheme was
recently held unconstitutional by an Oregon judge.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1903&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 1903</a>
further victimizes otherwise law-abiding gun owners and places the
liability on crime victims for theft of their own property by penalizing
failing to report missing or stolen firearm within 24 hours.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2021&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2021</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6001&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 6001</a> expand the authorized and/or required destruction of firearms held by state and local government entities.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2054&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2054</a>
rations Second Amendment rights by limiting firearm dealers from
transferring or selling more than one firearm per 30 day period to an
individual.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2118&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 2118</a>
seeks to drive gun stores and other licensed firearm dealers out of
business by imposing expensive, one-size-fits-all requirements.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5985&Initiative=false&Year=2023" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5985</a>
codifies the unconstitutional provisions of Washington’s recent ban on
commonly-owned firearms into the section of state code on background
checks. The bill's web page states this bill was requested by the Washington State Patrol. If you decide to read it, you'll want to know the first 12 pages are all definitions. The definitions tell us what they will eventually ask to ban.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">Meanwhile the Senate: The Senate Law and Justice
Committee will hold public hearings on Monday and Tuesday. An executive
session and potential vote on the bills is scheduled on January 19<sup>th</sup>.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">January 15<sup>th</sup> at 10:30AM</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5444&Year=2023&Initiative=False" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5444</a>
increases “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens are left
defenseless in publicly accessible areas, including parks, public
transit, and government buildings. Nothing in the bill requires these
“sensitive places” have any measures to protect citizens and prevent
armed criminals from ignoring this arbitrary boundary and entering, such
as metal detectors, security guards, or a police presence.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">January 16<sup>th</sup> at 10:30AM</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5985&Year=2023&Initiative=False" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5985</a>
codifies the unconstitutional provisions of Washington’s recent ban on
commonly-owned firearms into the section of state code on background
checks.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">~~~~~~~~ <br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;">"I knew those dirty dog Democrats would immediately conduct hearings on A LOT of bad bills this week. It's one of the sneakiest things they do. Before anyone even knows Olympia is up-and-running, Democrats schedule 'public' hearings and pack the room with all the pigs feeding at the trough" ---Tim Eyman. </p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-91123215434495364522024-01-05T12:00:00.000-08:002024-01-05T12:26:44.542-08:00Olympia proposes rent control (again)<p>Its hard to believe that our state government can do anything better than the private economy. We the people have had to live under this legislature laws on stuff like the prohibition of the police from pursuing a violent criminal, and an increase in spending (and taxation) of $68 billion over the last ten years. Now the legislature is entertaining itself with rent control proposals. </p><p>Impolite is against rent control. Impolite prefers freedom.</p><p>Everywhere rent control has been imposed, rental housing has become more scarce and more expensive. The implicit assumption of rent control is that landowners are somehow worthless people, Like any form of class warfare, the underlying assumption is no different in substance than racism.</p><p>There are two, identical rent control proposals filed. They are <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2114&Initiative=false&Year=2023" target="_blank">House Bill 2114</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5961&Initiative=false&Year=2023" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5961</a>.</p><p>~~~~~~~</p><p>Be a citizen, not a subject. Take a position.<br /><br />The House Housing Committee hearing on <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=2114&year=2024" target="_blank">HB 2114</a> is scheduled for Thursday, January 11 at 8:00 am in the John L. O’Brien Building Room B<br /><br />To testify in-person, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=House&mId=31585&aId=156252&caId=22856&tId=1" target="_blank">click here</a><br />To testify virtually, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=House&mId=31585&aId=156252&caId=22856&tId=2" target="_blank">click here</a><br />To submit written testimony, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=House&mId=31585&aId=156252&caId=22856&tId=4" target="_blank">click here</a><br />To state opposition to be noted for the legislative record, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=House&mId=31585&aId=156252&caId=22856&tId=3" target="_blank">click here</a><br /><br />The Senate Housing Committee hearing on <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5961&Initiative=false&Year=2023" target="_blank">SB 5961</a> is scheduled for Friday, January 12 at 10:30 am in the JA Cherberg Building Room 4<br /><br />To testify in-person, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=31515&aId=156251&caId=22791&tId=1" target="_blank">click here</a><br />To testify virtually, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=31515&aId=156251&caId=22791&tId=2" target="_blank">click here</a><br />To submit written testimony, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=31515&aId=156251&caId=22791&tId=4" target="_blank">click here</a><br />To state opposition to be noted for the legislative record, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifier/Add?chamber=Senate&mId=31515&aId=156251&caId=22791&tId=3" target="_blank">click here</a><br /><br />Please note that you must sign in 1 hour before the hearing to testify or provide a position to be placed on legislative record. After the hearing, you have 24 hours to submit written testimony.</p><p>~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Here is a summary of <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=2114&year=2024" target="_blank">HB 2114</a> & <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5961&Initiative=false&Year=2023" target="_blank">SB 5961</a>: <br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Data used by the State does not distinguish between single family, multifamily and manufactured housing.</li><li>A month-to-month agreement is more costly than longer term leases. The bill restricts costs increases for both in the same manner.</li><li>Local government policies, ordinances, or other regulations will create patch work across the State of different rules and requirements and cause confusion.</li><li>Older housing stock is treated differently than 10 year or younger housing stock. Older housing has costs not consistent with new housing.</li><li>Restricts rent increases to 5% once every 12 months. This is Rent Control.</li><li>Model lease agreement language published by AG but can be modified by local governments.</li><li>Landlord resource center will track landlords and require registration of properties.</li><li>Requires 180 notice for rent increases of more than 3%. Does not permit electronic notice.</li><li>Rent increases of more than 3% give tenants the right to terminate a lease.</li><li>Combines security deposit with move in fees and both cannot exceed a month’s total rent.</li><li>$10 late rent payment fee limit is imposed.</li><li>Park tenant purchased parks can raise rent, but non-tenant purchased parks cannot raise rent upon purchase date.</li><li>Bill has an emergency clause that permits immediate implementation of the bill requirements.</li></ul>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-74498277243332280502024-01-03T16:56:00.000-08:002024-01-03T16:58:37.756-08:00Trust the science? On carbon-taxing schemes....<p style="color: #323232; font: 14px/1.5 "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 15px;">Opponents
of Washington state's carbon pricing scheme were clear that this policy would
drive up fuel costs at the pump at a time when Washingtonians could
least afford it. The governor and legislative Democrats argued that any
increases would be nominal, however simple math indicated a significant
increase of close to 50 cents per gallon for this crony-capitalist shell
game, and that's exactly what happened. </p>
<p style="color: #323232; font: 14px/1.5 "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 15px;">Supporters
of this carbon-pricing scam tried gaslight the public and shift blame
onto the supposed greed of oil companies. They completely ignored the
fact that our neighboring states have had much lower gas prices. </p>
<p style="color: #323232; font: 14px/1.5 "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 15px;">We
learned from a whistleblower that the public may have been purposefully
misled about the 'cap-and-tax' program. A long-time and relatively
senior state employee who was tasked with calculating the costs says he
was pressured to lie about the impact on gas prices, which showed a 45
to 50 cents per gallon increase. He refused to lie and appears was
retaliated against and forced from his job.</p>
<p style="color: #323232; font: 14px/1.5 "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 15px;">Watch the <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lmtpbmc1LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL25ld3MvaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbnMvZm9ybWVyLXdzZG90LWVjb25vbWlzdC1hY2N1c2VzLXN0YXRlLXJldGFsaWF0aW9uLWZvci1yZWZ1c2luZy1saWUtZ2FzLXByaWNlcy8yODEtMDkxNTE3MDctMjk3Ni00OGUyLWJkZDUtYzY1ZTM2YTUyYWFjIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDEwMy44Nzk0MzM4MSJ9.rG5s7y9x26DJEjKCHtGZNRHJPs3q6cvZWt4iU-ApXTs/s/1420224886/br/234129757063-l" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1d5782;" target="_blank">KING 5 story by clicking here</a>. </p>
<p style="color: #323232; font: 14px/1.5 "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 15px;">During Governor Inslee's tenure, state
agencies have been plagued by serious mismanagement. This isn't the
first time and likely not the last where the uniparty state will try to
hide the truth from the public. </p><p> -- <a href="https://philfortunato.src.wastateleg.org/" target="_blank">Phil Fortunato</a></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-8151347794175101602023-12-30T04:57:00.000-08:002023-12-30T04:57:34.583-08:00Fentanyl Death in King County<p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">When COVID hit, we treated it like the public health emergency it was. </span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">But this public health disaster? Business as usual.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">It's a scandal that we have no urgency, no real plan to address the fentanyl crisis ravaging Seattle's streets, one commensurate with the scale of the problem.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xax1uj2L_FAn31yRAms_zMGyackEOrewfyvovWt7IeSDrvPCpWpuJIOEHetW32JM3ZsB3NaQY5PNbIwNtWjxXIaINBPUYTHt_Rx5Za7_zp1VplQrmToKnW1_segTGCm92umVIVI0tyRFDTm6WngqbgxpswANnnq2NATr1PeC3yGdB5w1SSvtGILY10zk/s1092/Clipboard01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1092" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xax1uj2L_FAn31yRAms_zMGyackEOrewfyvovWt7IeSDrvPCpWpuJIOEHetW32JM3ZsB3NaQY5PNbIwNtWjxXIaINBPUYTHt_Rx5Za7_zp1VplQrmToKnW1_segTGCm92umVIVI0tyRFDTm6WngqbgxpswANnnq2NATr1PeC3yGdB5w1SSvtGILY10zk/w400-h352/Clipboard01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <a class="css-175oi2r r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l r-1loqt21" href="https://twitter.com/skaushik100/status/1740794493048385774" role="link" target="_blank"><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;">Sandeep Kaushik</span></span></a><p></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="text-overflow: unset;"> </span></span></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-54449874515577706512023-12-20T11:36:00.000-08:002023-12-20T11:36:17.747-08:00Washington State Legislature 60-day session<p>The Washington State Legislature will begin its 60-day session on January 8. The main focus of this year’s legislative session will be developing and approving updates to the three state budgets - operating, transportation, and capital - for the 2023–2025 biennium. <br /><br />The Legislature will also be make adjustments to various laws, including in energy, natural resources, healthcare, education, and other areas. The legislative session will be very fast paced and will feel like it finishes soon after it starts. In every session, there will be policies debated that could affect Washington state businesses.<br /><br />Supporting Washington Businesses<br /><br />Decisions the Legislature makes are very important to the state and its efforts to promote a supportive business climate. Most of the revenue that funds state operations are generated from sales taxes and business taxes. In order for the state to maximize its revenues, our business sector needs to thrive. <br /><br />While there are many steps lawmakers could take to better support Washington businesses, here are five ideas:<br /><br />1. Business and Occupation Tax Reforms<br /><br />Washington State implements a Business and Occupation (B&O) tax, which is applied to the gross receipts of all products and services. The rate depends on the type of business, such as manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing. The tax applies to “gross” rather than “net” income of businesses, meaning that businesses are taxed even if they don’t earn a profit. <br />This tax structure is especially burdensome for high volume, low margin businesses. Reforms to the B&O tax would likely impact revenues in the short term but would help businesses be successful over the long term. This would keep more people employed and generate additional economic opportunities.<br /><br />2. Climate Commitment Act Changes<br /><br />The state’s Climate Commitment Act was approved by the Legislature in 2021 and began in 2023. It is a comprehensive program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by requiring the purchase of allowances in a cap-and-trade program. Many of us who voted against it expressed concerns about the program’s likely impact on gas prices, which analysts now estimate is nearly 50 cents extra per gallon.<br /><br />High gas prices can have devastating impacts on senior citizens, working families, and businesses. High gas prices affect all of us with increased travel, grocery, and supply chain costs. Adjustments should be made to lessen this programs economic impacts.<br /><br />3. Refocus Education on Academics and Job Skills<br /><br />With over one million students in the state public school system, K-12 education is critical to workforce development. Washington businesses rely on students being college or career ready. Per student expenditures have grown to over $17,000 per year with funds supporting pre-kindergarten programs, multiple meal services, childcare offerings, social supports, healthcare in schools, and other functions. <br /><br />There is no doubt that students have many needs, which our schools can help facilitate, but with only 50% of students meeting English standards and only 40% meeting Math standards, we must make academics and job skills one of our top priorities. Our school system must work for all students, so they are prepared to succeed and contribute to our global economy.<br /><br />4. Preserve and Improve our Transportation System<br /><br />Washington businesses depend on a high functioning transportation system. This is key to getting crops to market, creating efficiencies in the supply chain, and improving commutes for employees. The Legislature has increased funding in recent years for preservation and maintenance of our roads and bridges, but the funding has unfortunately not kept pace with inflation, nor with the additions to the transportation system over time. In my opinion, preservation of our existing system is more important than new projects, but new projects are also needed to keep up with our growing population and keep traffic moving. The state approved a new 16-year, $16.9 billion package in 2022 for statewide transportation investments. We need to ensure that these projects get completed as scheduled so that Washington businesses can benefit from a reliable statewide transportation system.<br /><br />5. Continue Efforts on Housing Solutions<br /><br />Affordable housing continues to be a struggle in nearly every community, although what is characterized as “affordable” varies from place-to-place and is the source of substantial debate at the State Capitol. The Legislature has recently made record investments through its capital budget to fund housing opportunities in Washington State, but more work remains to be done. Various regulatory and land use reforms could be made to slow down the rapidly escalating costs associated with homebuilding. Many new laws and programs have recently been implemented, which may take some time to produce results. While these new policies get implemented, we should be mindful of other opportunities because stable housing is fundamental to nearly every aspect of life. For businesses, having access to a reliable, local workforce is very important.</p><p></p><p>Guns & Freedom</p><p><span>there are two prominent anti-gun bills; <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=1902&year=2024" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 1902</a> and <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=1903&year=2024" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 1903</a>. </span>
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=1902&year=2024" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 1902</a>
will implement a permit to purchase system in Washington, which will
require Washingtonians to receive government permission to exercise a
constitutionally protected right. The system will require mandatory live
fire training prior to purchasing a firearm and the creation of a
government registry of personally identifiable information, including
fingerprinting and a waiver of medically protected information.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em;"><span><a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=1903&year=2024" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB 1903</a>
will penalize law-abiding gun owners who are the victims of a crime by
placing a civil liability and a $1,000 fine on gun owners who are the
victim of theft and requires mandatory reporting of the theft or loss of
a firearm within 24 hours to law enforcement.</span></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-86666433416920261692023-12-07T10:28:00.000-08:002023-12-11T21:17:47.979-08:00Olympia to operate a rental registry <p>Tuesday November 14, 2023, the Olympia City Council reviewed an ordinance for a rental registry program that will also have a required rental home inspection. The home inspection looks quite extensive. Attached is the agenda for the meeting, the proposed ordinance, and the draft rental inspection checklist.<br /><br />The city will require an annual registration of $35, plus a business license, and a rental inspection by a qualified rental housing inspector and re-inspection if a unit fails the initial inspection. This will be both costly and time consuming for landlords. There are apparent penalties for not complying (such as $50 a day for first offense with fees escalating to $250 a day).<br /><br />Naturally, this ordnance will increase the difficulty of being a a landlord and ultimately make housing more scarce and expensive,<br /> <br /><a href="https://hjaqf-zgpm.maillist-manage.com/click/110019aa1f692324a/110019aa1f6921316">Ordinance Rental Registry (PDF)</a><br /><a href="https://hjaqf-zgpm.maillist-manage.com/click/110019aa1f692324a/110019aa1f6921318">Agenda City Council (PDF)</a><br /><a href="https://hjaqf-zgpm.maillist-manage.com/click/110019aa1f692324a/110019aa1f6921318">Draft Inspection Checklist (PDF)</a> <br /></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-45913299942025041932023-11-28T09:58:00.000-08:002023-11-28T09:58:31.816-08:00Democrats harassing petition signature gatherers<p><a href="https://twitter.com/mrandystevens/status/1729231870129524844" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Posted on Twitter </a><br /></p><p>Andy Stevens 🇺🇸<br />@mrandystevens<br />425 553-2157<br /><br />That's the number to the @washdems<br /> "snitch line" to harass signature gatherers<br /><br />Make sure you leave them a message that we will not be intimidated<br />12:13 PM · Nov 27, 2023</p><p> </p><p> </p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-16383233009526049312023-11-23T11:01:00.000-08:002023-11-27T11:24:01.851-08:00The Initiative of the People<p>Initiatives of the People of Washington State<br /></p><p></p><p>PUBLIC SAFETY
</p><p>
I-2113 REASONABLE POLICE PURSUIT - law recently enacted by the legislature restricts police from reasonable pursuit
<br />
No Fake Solution!</p><p>
Ballot Measure Summary<br />
This measure would remove certain restrictions on when peace officers may engage in vehicular pursuits. Such pursuits would be allowed when the officer has a reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law, pursuit is necessary to identify or apprehend the person, the person poses a threat to the safety of others, those safety risks are greater than those of the pursuit, and a supervisor authorizes the pursuit.
<br />
</p><hr /><p>
COST OF LIVINGI-2117</p><p>
STOP THE HIDDEN GAS TAX - Law recently enacted by the legislature adds substantial "carbon" taxes to the price of gasoline. </p><p>The Carbon Tax = Higher Gas Prices</p><p>
Ballot Measure Summary<br />
This measure would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, including “cap and trade” or “cap and tax” programs, regardless of whether the resulting increased costs are imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers. It would repeal sections of the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act as amended, including repealing the creation and modification of a “cap and invest” program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by specific entities.
<br />
</p><hr /><p>
I-2124 - OPT OUT OF STATE-RUN LONG TERM CARE COVERAGE ACT
- Law recently enacted by the legislature requires more taxes from workers regardless of whether any benefit is given</p><p>
Let Workers Choose!</p><p>
Ballot Measure Summary<br />
This measure would amend state law establishing a state long term care insurance program to provide that employees and self-employed people must elect to keep coverage under RCW 50B.04, allow employees to opt-out of coverage under RCW 50B.04 at any time, and repeal a current law governing exemptions for employees who had purchased long term care insurance before November 1, 2021.
<br />
</p><hr /><p>
<br />
I-2109 - REPEAL THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX - Don't Punish Innovators & Family Businesses</p><p>
Ballot Measure Summary<br />
This measure would repeal an excise tax imposed on the sale or exchange of certain long-term capital assets by individuals who have annual capital gains of over $250,000.
<br />
</p><hr /><p>
I-2111 - NO STATE INCOME TAX - Keep Washington Prosperous</p><p>
Ballot Measure Summary<br />
This measure would prohibit the state, counties, cities, and other local jurisdictions from imposing or collecting income taxes, defined as having the same meaning as “gross income” in the Internal Revenue Code.
<br />
</p><hr /><p>
PARENTAL RIGHTS</p><p>
I-2081 - PARENTAL NOTIFICATION</p><p>
Parents Have The Right To Know! -- Parents are making the the biggest investment of their lives. They should have the final say.<br /></p><p>
Ballot Measure Summary<br />
This measure would allow parents and guardians of public-school children to review instructional materials and inspect student records, including health and disciplinary records, upon request. It would require public schools to provide parents and guardians with certain notifications, including about medical services given and when students are taken off campus; access to calendars and certain policies; and written notice and opportunities to opt students out of comprehensive sexual-health education and answering certain surveys or assignments. </p><hr /><p>This information is reproduced from the <a href="https://letsgowashington.com/ " target="_blank">Let's Go Washington</a> webpage. <br /></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-20199394980749328772023-05-14T09:42:00.001-07:002023-05-15T09:49:35.463-07:00The new mother's day<p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-washington-law-will-protect-trans-youth-seeking-gender-affirming-care/ar-AA1b3fRB" target="_blank">SB 5599</a> allows runaway children to choose to change gender without notifying parents. Its called "gender affirmation." (Really)<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCeei3IC4G1wCXg6SphZiPl8R_RSNf6yVUb6N9CT0aiW77q3lwq1B9uAwNeT8aV71TPWKtqpHUofIz6jpTOFyY9kDfYMnilQ7Igxd1vAxSCFT45HnQ4fQ8DSoSUXfjL2eRfTvjWFTY9kgu9VbwPBTpQQJ0ZiDPwAZqB_gTKxnDSnwH5dEjhk3uUxptQ/s1800/Happy%20Mother's%20Day.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCeei3IC4G1wCXg6SphZiPl8R_RSNf6yVUb6N9CT0aiW77q3lwq1B9uAwNeT8aV71TPWKtqpHUofIz6jpTOFyY9kDfYMnilQ7Igxd1vAxSCFT45HnQ4fQ8DSoSUXfjL2eRfTvjWFTY9kgu9VbwPBTpQQJ0ZiDPwAZqB_gTKxnDSnwH5dEjhk3uUxptQ/s320/Happy%20Mother's%20Day.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-12913955953097734262023-05-12T10:37:00.000-07:002023-05-12T10:37:03.372-07:00WALeg Special Session<p>Governor Jay Inslee called a Special Session of the Washington State Legislature, beginning May 16th, to address our state’s expiring drug possession law. </p><p></p><p>In accordance with the State Constitution, the Washington State Legislature meets annually every January in regular sessions. The Legislature alternates between longer sessions of 105 days and shorter sessions of 60 days depending on the development of the two-year budgets. The Constitution allows the governor to call special sessions of the Legislature at any time. Each special session can last no more than 30 days.<br /><br />In 2021, the State Supreme Court’s Blake Decision struck down Washington’s felony drug possession statute as unconstitutional. This court case involved a woman who had been arrested for possession of illegal drugs in her pant pockets, which she said she did not knowingly possess because the pants were borrowed from a friend. In rapid response to this decision and to provide some statewide clarity related to drug possession, legislators approved a temporary measure within weeks to classify drug possession as a misdemeanor while working toward a more comprehensive solution. The temporary law approved in 2021 expires this July. A major focus of the 2023 Legislative Session was to update and replace the temporary law. </p><p>During this year’s session, the Washington State Senate approved <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5536&Year=2023&Initiative=false" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5536</a>, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett). It represented the first major step to address and clarify our state’s drug possession law since the temporary law was enacted. Senate Bill 5536 was approved by a Senate vote of 28 to 21 and included a classification of drug possession offenses, steps offenders can take toward pretrial diversion and prosecution, and a collection of state investments toward facilitating treatment and local resources. <br /><br />Senate Bill 5536 was developed throughout the session, approved by Senate committees, and actively negotiated and debated. The Senate vote was bipartisan but also somewhat unusual because a collection of Republicans and Democrats voted for the bill while others joined together to vote against the measure. Generally speaking, very conservative Republicans favored stiffer penalties for drug offenders while very progressive Democrats argued for no punishments. </p><p>In the end, the compromise included tiered classifications of drug possession offenses, steps offenders can take toward pretrial diversion, and penalty options for prosecutors. The bill also included substantial new state investments to support treatment. </p><p>While the bipartisan Senate bill appear to balance treatment options with accountability measures and to be the blueprint for full Legislative passage, the House of Representatives later adjusted the bill. That version received only a party-line vote by Democrats on April 11th. House and Senate negotiators attempted to develop a Conference Committee solution between the two versions, but that vote failed in the House on April 23rd on the final day of session by a vote of 43 'yes' to 55 'no.'</p><p>A small number of progressive House Democrats had refused to support the
Senate’s bipartisan compromise, eventually leaving the legislature with
nothing at the end of session. Having no statewide framework related to
drug possession would be terrible for cities and counties across
Washington who would then need to implement a patchwork of their own
local drug possession regulations.</p><p>So we have a special session. </p><p>Source: <a href="http://senatorbradhawkins.org" target="_blank">State Sen. Brad Hawkins</a></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6247375546470626335.post-66623282700938023892023-05-09T13:22:00.006-07:002023-05-09T20:42:46.876-07:00Governor signs anti-racism real-estate law<p>Governor Inslee signed <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1474&Initiative=false&Year=2023" target="_blank">HB1474</a> into law today. <a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_21faec02-ee94-11ed-a26d-bbe7480292eb.html" target="_blank">The media trumpeted</a> the new law as removing racist covenants from real estate titles. By mandating removal of those covenants, some people who previously suffered discrimination can now buy real estate... but the whole effort is about 75 years late. You see, other than the $100 increase in fees for recording a deed, nothing has really changed. The autocratic media and WA government are fibbing to us.</p><p>Since the United States Supreme Court’s 1948 decision in the case
Shelley v. Kraemer, restrictive covenants based on race have been unenforceable [<a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/shelley_v_kraemer_%281948%29" target="_blank">Cornell Law</a>]. Inslee, the Democrats and their media lapdogs are fantasizing.</p><p></p><p>The Democrats enacted a plan to fix something that had been fixed 75
years ago. That assures them of success. After their 1474 has no
effect, they can claim that they must make more draconian intrusions
into life in order to fix social problems of racism. This may be their
ultimate goal: Unlimited control of a formerly free people.</p><p>~~~~~~~~ <br /></p><p>You might still find racist covenants on your title deed, but they have no effect. You can remove the covenants from your title deed, if you have money to spend. They appear now as sort of a historical remnant of another age -- a lesson of where we came from, but not where we are now. And we need to remember that history is a record of our past foolishness. That way we can learn.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Bob Qathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05067651103341111702noreply@blogger.com0